Huntington Bank Strengthens Michigan Leadership with New West Michigan Regional President John Irwin

Promotion of experienced local executive Irwin to West Michigan leadership is part of Huntington’s statewide strategy toward broader involvement in Michigan

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- In a move designed to strengthen the ongoing commitment to Michigan by Huntington Bank (NASDAQ: HBAN; www.huntington.com), longtime local executive John Irwin has been named West Michigan president. Irwin is taking over leadership of the region from Huntington’s Regional and Commercial Banking Director Jim Dunlap, who will continue to lead the bank’s statewide strategy and engagement.

Irwin is a 32-year banking veteran who has been a part of Huntington’s West Michigan commercial banking business for nearly 11 years, most recently as corporate banking regional manager. In his new role, Irwin will lead the commercial business segment and orchestrate business development and service activities among all of Huntington’s businesses in the West Michigan region, while deepening the bank’s community relationships.

“John already does a great job as a leader for Huntington in West Michigan,” said Steve Steinour, chairman, president and CEO. “It is a natural move for him to take on the role of president for the region, continuing the positive contributions he has supported as a leader in the West Michigan business community.”

In addition to his work in Grand Rapids, Irwin has worked in banking throughout Arizona, Indiana and Ohio. His experience in the industry also includes international services, business banking and regional bank administration. He earned his bachelor’s from DePauw University and his master’s of business administration from Indiana University, and is also a graduate of the Stonier Graduate School of Banking.

“Huntington’s proven support for business to drive economic performance, particularly in Michigan, makes taking on my new role a welcome challenge,” Irwin said. “It is rewarding to represent a bank that is so intensely dedicated to its customers and communities.”

Irwin is a board member of the Gerald R. Ford Council, St. Cecilia Music Center and the Women’s Resource Center, and is also a Steering Committee member of the Huntington Colleagues’ Good Government Fund (HBI-PAC). In addition to his community involvement as a volunteer and active member with his wife Martha at Ada Bible Church, Irwin is an avid outdoorsman and triathlon competitor.

As West Michigan region president, Irwin’s new responsibilities will include collaboration with his counterpart for Huntington to the east, East Michigan region President Mike Fezzey, as the two seek to maximize corporate areas of focus in support of Michigan economic growth and prosperity. Both Irwin and Fezzey will continue to report to Dunlap, who will collaborate with them on deepening Huntington’s statewide focus. Huntington is significantly expanding into new Michigan markets in partnership with Meijer, and already serves as a leader in economic investment partnership benefiting businesses and communities throughout the state.

“As a major advocate in my personal and professional life for Michigan’s strong future, I am thrilled at Huntington’s decision to deepen Michigan leadership resources toward an increasingly unified approach for its business here,” said David Porteous, lead director of the Board of Directors of Huntington Bancshares Inc. and a Michigan native. “This new role for John, along with Mike’s continuing leadership from greater Detroit, will facilitate Huntington’s elevated emphasis on Michigan during continuing expansion in the state.”

“I have every confidence in John’s abilities to continue the work that Huntington is doing in West Michigan, that he has already so significantly supported,” Dunlap said. “I am looking forward to having even more resources committed to Michigan that will continue to drive consistent positive outcomes across the board in the state’s diverse communities.”

As a founding bank partner in the state’s Pure Michigan Business Connect Program, Huntington has nearly completed fulfillment of its $2 billion commercial and small business lending commitment to Michigan companies. Huntington is also currently administering a record $100 million affordable housing investment commitment in the state, and expanding into new Michigan locations in partnership with Meijer stores and via recent acquisition in greater Detroit.

About Huntington

Huntington Bancshares Incorporated is a $56 billion regional bank holding company headquartered in Columbus, Ohio. The Huntington National Bank, founded in 1866, provides full-service commercial, small business, and consumer banking services; mortgage banking services; treasury management and foreign exchange services; equipment leasing; wealth and investment management services; trust services; brokerage services; customized insurance brokerage and service programs; and other financial products and services. The principal markets for these services are Huntington’s six-state banking franchise: Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Indiana, West Virginia, and Kentucky. The primary distribution channels include a banking network of more than 700 traditional branches and convenience branches located in grocery stores and retirement centers, and through an array of alternative distribution channels including internet and mobile banking, telephone banking, and more than 1,300 ATMs. Through automotive dealership relationships within its six-state banking franchise area and selected other Midwest and New England states, Huntington also provides commercial banking services to the automotive dealers and retail automobile financing for dealer customers.

The Huntington National Bank, Member FDIC. The logo mark and Huntington^® are federally registered service marks of Huntington Bancshares Incorporated.

Huntington Bancshares Incorporated
Brent Wilder, 614-480-5875
brent.wilder@huntington.com

Source: Huntington Bancshares Incorporated

Released January 31, 2013