CENTRAL MAINE BANKER ELECTED TO NATIONAL BOARD

 DECEMBER 11, 2008: AUGUSTA, ME - The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) announced recently that local community banker, Mark L. Johnston, President and Chief Executive Officer of Kennebec Savings Bank, was elected to the ICBA Board of Directors, the nation’s voice for community banking.  Johnston will assume his post following ICBA’s annual meeting in March of 2009.

“I am honored to be elected to this position,” Johnston said in a recent interview.  “It gives me a chance to work for community banks all across the country, which practice trusted, common sense lending and offer hands-on personal service and invaluable financial expertise to local consumers and small businesses.”

In addition to helping to shape and advocate ICBA’s national policy positions and programs, Johnston’s duties with ICBA include liaison between independent community bankers in Maine and ICBA staff and leadership in Washington, DC.  He will also work to recruit new members to ICBA.

ICBA is the only national trade association dedicated exclusively to promoting the interests of locally operated community banks and savings institutions.  With trusted financial expertise and quality customer service as their hallmarks, community banks like Kennebec Savings serve millions of consumers, small businesses, farmers and ranchers throughout the country.  According to studies by the Federal Reserve, community banks also charge fewer and lower fees – ranging from 15 to 133 percent lower – than their megabank counterparts.

“Mark Johnston is a dedicated community banker who is respected by his industry’s peers,” said Cynthia L. Blankenship, ICBA chairman.  “We are delighted he will be offering his time and valuable professional talents in the service of the community banking industry.”

The Independent Community Bankers of America, the nation’s voice for community banks, represents 5,000 community banks of all sizes and charter types throughout the United States and is dedicated exclusively to representing the interests of the community banking industry and the communities and customers they serve.

Kennebec Savings Bank is a $667 million state-chartered mutual savings bank with 76 employees and locations in Augusta, Waterville, and Winthrop, as well as two 24-hour electronic banking centers, KSB Anytime, in Manchester and in Augusta.  Kennebec Savings Bank is proud to be Kennebec County’s community bank since 1870 and the bank where people matter most.