Huntington’s Mary Navarro Named One of the “25 Most Powerful Women in Banking”

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“Fair Play Banking” philosophy highlights Navarro’s accomplishments, helping her secure No. 15 spot on prestigious list

COLUMBUS, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Mary Navarro, senior executive vice president and director of retail and business banking for Huntington (NASDAQ: HBAN; www.huntington.com) has been named one of the “25 Most Powerful Women in Banking” (http://tinyurl.com/3sfl8o4) for 2011.

Moving up 18 places from 2010, when she was named No. 8 on the “Women to Watch” list, Navarro received the honor based on her contributions to Huntington’s financial performance and the impact she has made within the banking industry and through her philanthropic work.

“Mary is a true leader, willing to take risks and stand up for what is right,” said Huntington CEO Steve Steinour. “Thanks to Mary’s leadership, we decided to invest further in our customers, our colleagues and convenience at a time when others were doing just the opposite. And it was this investment that’s helped Huntington differentiate itself from other banks with our more customer-friendly ‘Fair Play Banking’ philosophy.”

Navarro, who began her career as a teller while in high school and has more than 34 years of banking experience, was selected from a large national pool of female banking executives. American Banker noted several of Navarro’s 2011 achievements in naming her number 15 on their list, including:

  • Developing 24-Hour Grace®, the first-and-only service of its kind that provides Huntington consumer checking customers an additional day to cover overdrafts without any fees.
  • Developing the ground-breaking Asterisk*Free Checking™, which is free to open, has no monthly maintenance fee, no minimum balance and no check or debit card usage requirements – and it includes free ID Theft Resolution Services and 24-Hour Grace.
  • Strengthening Huntington’s commitment to small business, which resulted in increasing the bank’s national SBA ranking to #3, up five spots from 2009, and retaining Huntington’s #1 SBA lender ranking cumulatively in Huntington’s six-state market area.

“It’s great to be part of an organization that has focused on customer service for so long, as it’s this foundation of service that’s enabled Huntington to truly differentiate itself from its competitors,” said Navarro. “Our continued success is a direct result of many colleagues’ hard work and dedication, and I’m proud to be able to work with such a talented group of people who are committed to, and truly care about, their customers.”

The list, compiled annually by the editors of American Banker, pays tribute to women executives, whose contributions to their institutions and communities are most profound. The rankings are based on the financial performance of each organization, combined with the nominee’s job responsibility, management style, influence within the industry and charitable endeavors.

In her more than nine years leading Huntington’s retail and business banking segments, Navarro has been instrumental in helping drive the company’s continued growth. And outside of Huntington, she is a tireless industry and community volunteer.

Navarro just finished her term as Board Chair of the Consumer Bankers’ Association, where she has served as a board member for the past eight years. She also serves on the boards of the YWCA of Central Ohio and Recreation Unlimited, and also is the Director Emeritus of the Red Cross of Greater Columbus. And in 2006, Navarro was recognized by the YWCA of Central Ohio as a Woman of Achievement.

For more information about Huntington, 24-Hour Grace or Asterisk*Free Checking, visit https://www.huntington.com or call 1-800-480-2001.

About Huntington

Huntington Bancshares Incorporated is a $53 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 product 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 over 600 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 over 1,300 ATMs. Through automotive dealership relationships within its six-state banking franchise area and selected New England states, Huntington also provides commercial banking services to the automotive dealers and retail automobile financing for dealer customers.

*Huntington is the #1 SBA 7(a) lender in the region made up of Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Michigan, West Virginia and Western PA, Source: U.S. Small Business Administration first ten months of fiscal year, ending July 31, 2011.

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

Huntington Bancshares Incorporated
Matt Samson, 614-480-3763
matthew.samson@huntington.com

Source: Huntington Bancshares Incorporated

Released October 5, 2011