PHOENIX – (Oct.1, 2003) – After 25 years of serving Arizona’s banking needs under one name,Community Bank of Arizona (CBA) is changing its name to another: Meridian Bank,N.A.

“The term ‘Meridian’ really captures the essence of whatwe do: provide superior service to our customers,” said Doug Hile, Meridian’s Chairman and CEO. “Meridian means ‘the utmost’ or ‘the highest degree,’ and it reflects our mission to provide customers with the highest degree of service, professionalism, products and partnership with our communities.”

The name change, which is effective today, will encompass all Community Bank of Arizona locations in the Phoenix area. Additionally, two new locations acquired as part of CBA’s acquisition of Valley Bank of Arizona in July 2003 will open Oct. 10 under the Meridian name. In conjunction with this change, the current CBA location at 2020 North Central Avenue will combine with the new Meridian location at 3550 N. Central Avenue,and will close by the end of October.

The Valley Bank acquisition is the first in a series of planned moves to further expand Meridian Bank’s approach to serving business owners, executives, professionals and local community customers.

“Closely held businesses and individuals in this market are not getting the personal attention or level of customization they deserve from other financial services firms,” said Hile. “We bring the best of both worlds: relationship-focused, experienced bankers who are truly responsive to the needs of their customers, backed by the full menu of financial products and services that only a larger organization can provide.”

Meridian Bank, with more than $490 million in total assets, is part of Marquette Financial Companies, a financial services company with a diversified portfolio of banks and specialty financial service companies owned by the Pohlad family of Minneapolis, Minn.

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