Securant Bank & Trust: Accepts TARP funds to increase funds available for lending and growth

Contact: Michelle Luckiesh, Marketing Manager

mluckiesh@securantbank.com

Phone: (414) 449-8005

6001 W Capitol Dr

Milwaukee, WI 53216

Menomonee Falls, Wis. (April 10, 2009) – Securant Bank & Trust officials announced that the bank will voluntarily sell $5.1 million in non-voting preferred stock to the U.S. Treasury Department as part of the voluntary federal Capital Purchase Program (CPP) to add capital during this period of economic uncertainty. The bank is not getting a bailout; it is purchasing capital from the government. The government, in turn, receives a 5 percent dividend in exchange for the capital. Securant Bank & Trust expects to buy back the certificates within three to five years.

The CPP, part of the federal Troubled Assets Relief Program, or TARP, was created to help the nation’s economy and encourage healthy banks to grow and increase lending.

“In order for banks to lend and grow, capitalization is necessary and raising the capital through private equity campaigns is difficult in this economic environment. The CPP was established to help banks raise capital precisely because of the difficulties for banks to raise funds in the midst of an economic recession,” Davis said. “As the recession continues, the CPP becomes a practical source of capital that allows us to continue prudent growth opportunities and lend money to businesses and consumers in the communities we serve.”

“When the economy starts to recover, businesses will want to borrow money, and we’ll be ready to lend them funds,” said Davis, who has survived several recessions during his 37 years of banking experience. “Banks have to be ready and willing to lend money. It’s the catalyst for turning around this economy. That’s why this is a win-win for everyone.”

Davis said that qualifying for the funds from the federal government shows that the bank is healthy and in good standing. “Not all banks qualify for CPP funding; only strong banks with high ratings are eligible for the investment,” he said. “The U.S. government’s willingness to invest in Securant Bank & Trust shows we are a safe, solid and secure bank. The government is not going to invest in failing banks, and when this economy turns around, Securant will be able to raise funds again from private equity investors. The bank has been serving the community for 95 years, and we’re excited about the opportunity to continue making a difference in the communities we serve by lending to businesses and consumers.”

Davis also said that the bank is comfortable with the CPP’s requirements regarding executive compensation. “None of the requirements has implications for Securant Bank & Trust,” Davis said.

With assets of $231 million, Securant Bank & Trust is a community bank that has been serving southeastern Wisconsin for 95 years. The bank focuses on serving owner-managed businesses and clients with an eye on their financial future. In the past year, the bank added two locations, grew its loan portfolio by more than 31 percent, increased its staff by 20 percent and added products and services, including a wealth management group, which offers financial planning, investments, trust services and private banking.

The bank’s locations include corporate headquarters in Menomonee Falls, operations in Milwaukee and additional branches in Elm Grove, Hartland and Slinger.

About Securant Bank & Trust

An independent bank in operation since 1914, Securant Bank & Trust, formerly known as Milwaukee Western Bank (MWBank), specializes in serving small- to mid-sized, owner-managed businesses and individuals with an eye on their financial future. The bank offers the full complement of commercial and personal financial products including checking, credit card services, loans, equipment leases, mortgages, online banking, financial planning, investments, trust services, and private banking. The bank has assets of $231 million and a long history of building strong, lasting relationships with its customers. For more information, visit http://www.securantbank.com.