ACB: Press Releases

Contact:	Robert Schmermund (202) 857-3104 Jim Eberle (202) 857-3145	Jim Eberle (202) 857-3145 (work) (703) 893-2593 (home) [email protected]	For Immediate Release April 7, 2004 #04-22
E-mail: [email protected]

AMERICA’S COMMUNITY BANKERS NASDAQ INDEX OUTPERFORMS MARKET IN FIRST QUARTER

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — The America’s Community Bankers NASDAQ Index outperformed broad market indexes in its first full quarter, ACB announced today, spotlighting the strong investment performance of the community banking sector of the financial services industry.

The ACB NASDAQ index posted an increase of 4.03 percent in the first quarter of 2004. The index was 250.03 at Dec. 31, 2003, and 260.12 at March 31, 2004.

By way of comparison, the broad-market S&P; 500 Index ended the first quarter up 1.69 percent, while the NASDAQ Composite Index returned -0.36 percent.

Comparisons with the S&P; 500 Index and the NASDAQ Composite Index are based on the total return method, which includes stock price changes, plus the value of reinvested dividends. The total return method was chosen for the ACB NASDAQ index to best reflect the investment performance of community bank stock.

The ACB NASDAQ index is unique in that it includes only community banks and thrifts, and excludes large banks and those with specializations in credit cards and international lending. The index includes some 540 community banks.

“ACB and NASDAQ launched the index in December to bring greater visibility to community banks, which are the engines of growth in communities,” said William W. Zuppe, chairman of ACB and chairman and CEO, Sterling Savings Bank, Spokane, Wash. “The index has already generated significant new interest in the stock of companies listed in the index, and of the importance of community banks nationwide.”

America’s Community Bankers is conducting the first annual Community Bank Investor Conference, May 10-11, in New York City, featuring presentations by more than 20 community banks in the index.

“The conference provides a unique forum for community banks to present their financial performance to institutional investors and the investment community,” said Zuppe.

The conference will also provide an Investor Boot Camp for publicly traded community banks seeking guidance in developing effective investor relations strategies.

America’s Community Bankers is the national trade association committed to shaping the future of banking by being the innovative industry leader strengthening the competitive position of community banks. To learn more about ACB, visit www.AmericasCommunityBankers.com.

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