Our new name, NorStates Bank, tells you that we are a community bank that has expanded beyond the borders of any one community. This ensures that our financial and investment services are available to more people, in more neighborhoods throughout northeastern Illinois and southeastern Wisconsin. While we promise to provide the highest quality financial services to the community, we also have a commitment to assist our neighborhoods in growing and attaining the quality of life they desire.

We are the lending partner in an innovative Housing Authority Rehabilitation Program with the Village of Round Lake Beach. The program permits the Village to acquire and rehabilitate abandoned homes throughout the Village. The rehabilitation and subsequent sales of these homes has increased both the market and aesthetic value of the neighborhoods in Round Lake Beach. We’re proud to be part of this reinvestment program of the Village.

We have partnered with Waukegan’s St. Martin de Porres High School in the Corporate Internship Program for the 2005-2006 academic year. A team of 4 students fill one fulltime clerical position within the bank for the entire academic year. Through this program these students are afforded the opportunity of a college preparatory education at St. Martin as the corporate internship fee offsets approximately 70% of the student’s tuition. These students also gain valuable skills, marketable job experiences, and insight into career possibilities not otherwise available.

Our employees share the spirit of community reinvestment too. Dozens of our employees raised over $20,000 for the American Cancer Society’s “Relay for Life” events in Waukegan and Antioch by staging fundraisers such as car washes, bake and book sales, piggy bank sales, handmade quilt and blanket sales, and personal pledge drives throughout 2005. Our Bank was represented at the relay events where our employees walked the field tracks to fight cancer. Not only did our employees contribute to the fight against cancer they also built new friendships and contacts throughout the communities.

NorStates Bank was the Platinum co-sponsor of Senior Day at the Lake County Forest Preserves. Our loyal Ambassador Club members were on hand to serve popcorn and extended invitations to over 5,000 seniors that attended this annual event to join the Bank’s Ambassador Club and “be treated like royalty” at NorStates Bank. Our Ambassador Club, representing a significant percentage of our core deposits, continues to expand every year.