UNIZ Unizan Financial (MM)

Unizan Bank, National Association is Named Ohio's #1 SBA 7(a) Lender By Dollar Volume COLUMBUS, Ohio, Nov. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Unizan Bank, National Association is pleased to announce that it has again been named the #1 SBA 7(a) lender based on volume in the state of Ohio. The organization has achieved this prestigious position in six out of the last eight years. This ranking is based upon dollar amount for all 7(a) loans authorized in the state of Ohio. "We are extremely proud of this accomplishment as we increased our volume by almost 20 percent in the state of Ohio in 2003," noted James Baemel, executive vice president, Corporate Banking. "This total was all the more impressive considering 2002 was a record year of performance for SBA lending at Unizan Bank," said Baemel. For many businesses, SBA-backed loans are an attractive source of financing for equipment, permanent working capital and real estate. Because these loans are guaranteed by the SBA, businesses are generally permitted lower down payments and terms not readily available through conventional sources. "Unizan's successful business model is to provide value-added products and services to the emerging small business entrepreneur. Being named the number one SBA 7(a) lender in Ohio shows that this marketplace values our service, competitive rates and our business expertise," Baemel said. "Our Ohio SBA model has set the foundation for Unizan Bank to expand outside of the state including, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan and New Jersey, where we offer quality products and services tailored to businesses of all sizes," Baemel concluded. Unizan Bank, National Association is a subsidiary of Unizan Financial Corp. (NASDAQ:UNIZ), a $2.8 billion holding company headquartered in Canton, Ohio. Unizan Bank, National Association operates 45 full-service retail financial centers in five metropolitan markets in Ohio - Canton, Columbus, Dayton, Newark, and Zanesville. Through Unizan Financial Corp.'s subsidiaries, Unizan Bank, National Association; Unizan Financial Services Group, National Association; Unizan Banc Financial Services, Inc.; and Unizan Financial Advisors, Inc., the company offers its client base corporate and retail banking, Internet banking and wealth management products and services. Additionally, the company operates niche businesses in government guaranteed loan programs through its business lending centers in Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, and Dayton, Ohio; Louisville, Kentucky; Detroit, Michigan; Mt. Arlington, New Jersey; and Indianapolis, Indiana; as well as aircraft lending centers in Columbus; Orlando, Florida; and Sacramento, California. For more information on Unizan Financial Corp. and its subsidiaries, visit the company on the Web at http://www.unizan.com/ . DATASOURCE: Unizan Bank, National Association CONTACT: Sandy K. Upperman, Vice President, Corporate Communications of Unizan Bank, National Association, +1-330-438-4858, or email, Web site: http://www.unizanbank.com/ http://www.unizan.com/

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