Four Banks Partner with INVEST Financial Corporation

• Press Release
• Source: INVEST Financial Corporation
• On 10:20 am EDT, Wednesday September 2, 2009

TAMPA, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--INVEST Financial Corporation^® (INVEST) today announced that it has recently partnered with four banks to provide comprehensive brokerage and investment services. The four institutions, which include First United Bank (Crete, Ill.), AB&T National Bank (Albany, Ga.), United Community Bank (Blairesville, Ga.), and Ouachita Independent Bank (Monroe, La.), collectively have 129 branches nationwide and more than $8.8 billion in total deposits.

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“We are pleased to welcome four new financial institutions to INVEST and look forward to building long and productive relationships with each of them,” said Connie Gregory, senior vice president of business development for INVEST Financial Corporation. “INVEST has more than 25 years of experience managing successful investment programs for banks. Our financial institution clients receive support and services that are tailored to their specific needs, which is why banks choose to partner with INVEST for the long term.”

INVEST currently supports more than 120 banks and credit unions and more than 1,000 representatives nationwide. The Tampa, Fla.-based firm is a subsidiary of National Planning Holdings^® (NPH^®), one of the largest independent broker-dealer networks in the industry.

“It was clear from the beginning that INVEST shared our focus on customer service and had the experience and expertise to help us take UCB to the next level,” said Bill Gilbert, senior vice president of retail banking for United Community Bank. “As we continue to expand the array of products and services available to our clients, we need a broker-dealer that can provide the tools and resources to support our growth. INVEST is the right partner at the right time, and we look forward to a long and successful relationship with the firm.”

INVEST was the first broker-dealer to conduct a securities trade in a bank lobby and has remained an industry leader in providing brokerage services for financial institutions.

“We considered other vendors, but found that none of them offered the level of support and responsiveness that INVEST’s home office staff provides,” said Scott McDonald, senior vice president of Ouachita Independent Bank. “Our partnership with INVEST will allow us to expand our investment program and offer a broader range of products and services for our customers.”

Financial institutions interested in learning more about how to partner with INVEST can contact the firm’s Business Development Team at (800) 245-4732, or visit www.investfinancial.com.

About INVEST Financial Corporation

INVEST Financial Corporation (www.investfinancial.com), a subsidiary of the National Planning Holdings, Inc.^® (NPH^®) independent broker-dealer network, is a full-service broker-dealer based in Tampa, Fla. NPH is an affiliate of Jackson National Life Insurance Company^® (Jackson , www.jackson.com), one of the largest life insurance companies in the United States.

Securities, related services, and insurance products offered through INVEST Financial Corporation, member FINRA, SIPC, a Registered Broker-Dealer and Registered Investment Advisor, and its affiliated insurance agencies, are not FDIC or NCUA insured; are not deposits of, obligations of, or guaranteed by any bank or credit union; and, are subject to investment risk, including the possible loss of principal amount invested.

INVEST, First United Bank, AB&T National Bank, United Community Bank, and Ouachita Independent Bank are independent entities.

INVEST Financial Corporation
Andrew Silver
303.224.7542
800.565.9044 (ext. 2425)
andrew.silver@jnli.com