Huntington Bank Appoints James J. Plum Director of Consumer Lending

Plum Brings Nearly 20 Years of Experience as a Cincinnati-Based Regional Banking Leader

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Oct. 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- James J. Plum, a longtime Cincinnati-based residential lending executive, has been named senior vice president and director of consumer lending for Huntington Bank. Plum has led home lending programs for Citizens Financial Group for the past five years, most recently serving as president of Home Lending Solutions for RBS Citizens.

"Consumer lending is a critical service for our customers," said Steve Steinour, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Huntington. "Jay is joining an expanding leadership team, comprised of experts from throughout the industry, who have helped Huntington to play offense and lay the foundation for future growth. Jay also shares our values as evidenced by his work with advisory boards and community groups."

Plum has worked as a banking executive in Cincinnati since 1990 and has worked in residential lending since 1996. In addition to his most recent role for RBS Citizens, he has served as executive vice president for both Home Lending Solutions and National Home Equity for Citizens Financial Group. He has also held leadership roles with Provident Financial and Bank One. He began his career as administrator of a national student organization.

A member of the National Secondary Markets Advisory Board for Fannie Mae, Plum also serves on the Lender Advisory Council for LendingTree.com and the Banking Advisory Board for TransUnion. He is president of the Colgate Club of Cincinnati.

Plum earned his bachelor's degree from Colgate University and his master's of business administration from the Owen Graduate School of Management at Vanderbilt University.

"I am very excited to be joining such a strong team," said Plum. "Huntington's commitment to grow in the Midwest and its dedication to its core values make it a perfect fit for me."

About Huntington

Huntington Bancshares Incorporated (Nasdaq: HBAN) is a $53 billion regional bank holding company headquartered in Columbus, Ohio. Huntington has more than 143 years of serving the financial needs of its customers. Through our subsidiaries, including our banking subsidiary, The Huntington National Bank, we provide full-service commercial and consumer banking services, mortgage banking services, equipment leasing, investment management, trust services, brokerage services, customized insurance service program, and other financial products and services. Our over 600 banking offices are located in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. Huntington also offers retail and commercial financial services online at huntington.com; through its technologically advanced, 24-hour telephone bank; and through its network of almost 1,400 ATMs. The Auto Finance and Dealer Services group offers automobile loans to consumers and commercial loans to automobile dealers within our six-state banking franchise area. Selected financial service activities are also conducted in other states including: Private Financial Group offices in Florida; and Mortgage Banking offices in Maryland and New Jersey. International banking services are available through the headquarters office in Columbus and a limited purpose office located in both the Cayman Islands and Hong Kong.

SOURCE Huntington Bancshares Incorporated

Released October 29, 2009