MERIDIAN BANK WELCOMES MORSE TO TEAM

Martha Morse has joined the staff of Meridian Bank as Business Development Officer.

ALTON, IL March 20, 2006 Meridian Bank announced today that Martha Morse has joined the staff of Meridian Bank as Business Development Officer.

"We are very excited to have someone of Martha's experience and market knowledge become a member of Meridian Bank's team," said Brad S. Rench President and Chief Executive Officer of the bank. Rench continued, "Martha is an excellent fit for our growing bank with 7 1/2 years experience as Vice President of Member Services with the Growth Association of Southwestern Illinois. She worked closely with business owners, community and civic leaders to support local businesses and promote the region. Martha knows the Riverbend market very well and will be a valuable asset. Her primary responsibility will be to develop new business for the bank."

Martha is an active member of the Alton-Godfrey Rotary Club, SCORE, serves on the Board of River Bluffs Council for the Girl Scouts and the Advisory Council for the Entrepreneur Center at SIUE. She is originally from Alton and currently resides in Godfrey with her husband Allan Morse.

Meridian Bank originated from the State Bank of Eldred that started in 1910. In January 2005 the bank opened a second location in the historic First National Bank building at 200 West Third Street in downtown Alton. The State Bank of Eldred had a long history of exceptional customer service and community involvement. Meridian Bank plans to continue this tradition by maintaining a community bank focus, putting customer service first, and offering an array of competitive financial products and services that excels in state of the art technology. Meridian specializes in finding ways to help their customers that are new and unique. Martha will work at the downtown Alton location.

-03/20/2006