CITIZENS FINANCIAL BANK EXECUTIVE GRADUATES FROM THE ABA SCHOOL OF BANK MARKETING AND MANAGEMENT

MUNSTER, IN – June 17, 2010 - Citizens Financial Bank is pleased to announce that Dana Talaga, Vice President of Marketing has successfully completed and graduated from the ABA School of Bank Marketing and Management. Bankers learn techniques and strategies to enhance marketing efforts, develop strategies to promote new products, and receive a solid foundation in marketing principles and management practices.

Dana Talaga is a lifelong Indiana native attending Lake Central High School in St. John and Indiana University where she received a BS in Business. She has been a banker since 1992 and has been Vice President of Marketing at Citizens Financial Bank since 2007. Dana explained, “Marketing is an ever evolving discipline that requires a professional to continue their education throughout their career.” She continues, “The ABA School of Bank Marketing and Management enables me to keep abreast of the latest techniques and practices of Marketing while broadening my network of other professional resources. All this helps me provide better service to Citizens.”

The ABA School of Bank Marketing and Management is a two-year program delivered one week a year. With increased competition from traditional banks, brokerage houses and online financial services providers, marketing has become more important than ever. The school provides the skills needed to keep a bank's marketing efforts fresh and increase visibility in the rapidly changing financial services marketplace..

Founded in 1875, the American Bankers Association (ABA) represents banks of all sizes and charters and is the voice for the nation's $13 trillion banking industry and its 2 million employees. ABA marshals the talent, energy and perspectives of its members to bring about positive change. Through an effective collaboration between ABA members and staff, we combine experience and insights, in-depth expertise, unmatched resources and extensive products and resources to make our members more successful.  When banks are strong and healthy, their communities and customers thrive. The majority of ABA's members are banks with less than $165 million in assets.