Huntington to Guide Future of E-Payment Strategy as NACHA Member

COLUMBUS, Ohio, April 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Huntington National Bank will become a leader of electronic payment development worldwide as a direct financial institution member of NACHA – The Electronic Payments Association. NACHA is scheduled to publicly announce Huntington's membership Monday at its international PAYMENTS 2010 conference in Seattle, Wash.

As Huntington targets aggressive growth in bankwide treasury management holdings, the bank has joined NACHA to help lead future policy creation for the domestic and international payment landscape, said Doug Hartsema, Huntington senior vice president and director of treasury management.

"Huntington wants to play an active role generating solutions for optimal electronic transaction capabilities to support today's global economy," said Hartsema, a past board member of NACHA. "As the nation's 14th-largest Automated Clearing House (ACH) payment-originating financial institution, we need to be at the table with this important organization to ensure maximum efficiency for future ACH advancements linking our customers across all markets."

Growth in both domestic and international ACH solutions will require driving down processing costs and movement toward a strictly electronic setting to enhance and improve cash flow management for all businesses, Hartsema said.

"As economic conditions improve, businesses will need to leverage sophisticated treasury management services including ACH as they return to expansion mode," Hartsema said. "Faster access to capital through ACH solutions will help speed business recovery and strengthen sales capabilities."

As a NACHA direct financial institution member, Huntington will expand its relationship with the association to now vote on NACHA operating rules and collaborate among peer financial institutions in the governance and direction of the ACH Network and NACHA. Huntington will also be eligible for future board membership representation with NACHA.

"I am confident this will be a mutually beneficial relationship for NACHA and Huntington," Hartsema said. "I am looking forward to becoming reengaged with NACHA through Huntington in my new leadership role with the bank."

About Huntington

Huntington Bancshares Incorporated (Nasdaq: HBAN) is a $52 billion regional bank holding company headquartered in Columbus, Ohio. Through its affiliated companies, Huntington has been providing a full range of financial services including checking, loans, savings, insurance and investment services to customers for 144 years. Huntington has more than 600 banking offices. Huntington also offers retail and commercial financial services online at huntington.com; through its telephone bank; and through its network of over 1,300 ATMs.

SOURCE Huntington Bancshares Incorporated