Welcome to Franklin Security Bank – News & Information

(1/25/10) Franklin Security Bank Names Vincent J. Nobile Vice President,Commercial Lending Officer

WILKES-BARRE, PA. –Franklin Security Bank named Vincent J. Nobile as
Vice President, Commercial Lending Officer of the Wilkes-Barre based bank. Nobile will work out of Luzerne County but he will remain available to serve clients from surrounding counties.  Franklin Security Bank, established in 1999, has enjoyed over 10 years of success.  The bank’s primary focus supports businesses with premier products and lending services tailored to the individual needs of local companies.  Additionally, the bank is recognized as an industry leader in automobile financing through dealer franchises. Franklin Security Bank, specializing in business banking practices, currently serves over 16,000 customers and has locations in Luzerne and Lackawanna Counties.

“Vince Nobile brings a wealth of experience in the Commercial Banking arena. His reputation is well known in the greater Wilkes-Barre area.  His determination and steadfast ability to seek solutions for his commercial banking clients will be invaluable at Franklin Security Bank as we continue to build our business focus.  We are thrilled to have Vince join us as a key member of our team” said Richard Mebane, President and CEO of Franklin Security Bank

Mr. Nobile joins Franklin Security Bank with 38 years of commercial banking expertise.  Previously he held a senior level position at a major financial institution as they went through various mergers over the course of his career.  “I am excited about the prospect of working for a locally managed institution.  This is an enormous change that includes great challenge and opportunity to be part of the decision process while offering business clients greater flexibility,” said Mr. Nobile. 

Mr. Nobile currently serves as a Board Member of the St. Vincent DePaul Soup Kitchen and is a member and former Treasurer, of the Northeast Pennsylvania Chapter of the Risk Management Association.  Previously he served as a Captain of the Wilkes University Business Campaign and as Vice Chairperson for the King’s College Annual Community Campaign and has participated in various other civic activities.   Mr. Nobile holds a bachelors degree in Economics from King’s College. 

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(1/25/10) FDIC Deposit Insurance Simplification Fact Sheet

To download this informative PDF file, please click here.

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(12/28/09) Franklin Security Bank Participating in FDIC Transaction Account Guarantee Program

PHILADELPHIA, PA. – Franklin Security Bank is participating in the FDIC’s Transaction Account Guarantee Program.  Under that program, through June 30, 2010, all noninterest-bearing transaction accounts(including IOLTA accounts) are fully guaranteed by the FDIC for the entire amount in the account.  Coverage under the Transaction Account Guarantee Program is in addition to and separate from the coverage available under the FDIC’s general deposit insurance rules.

For more information, please visit: http://myfdicinsurance.govtoday

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(7/13/09) FRAUD ALERT

WILKES-BARRE, PA. – Franklin Security Bank, Plains, Pennsylvania, has contacted the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to report that counterfeit cashier’s checks bearing the institution’s name are in circulation. The bank would like to remind customers and businesses not to accept checks from an unknown source and to always verify authenticity.

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(4/1/09) Franklin Security Bank Names Joseph E. Bonsick Vice President, Senior Commercial Loan Officer

WILKES-BARRE, PA. – Franklin Security Bank named Joseph E. Bonsick as Vice President, Senior Commercial Loan Officer of the Wilkes-Barre based bank. Bonsick will primarily operate out of Scranton while overseeing business for both Lackawanna and Luzerne counties. Franklin Security Bank, established in 1999, was acquired in 2007 by a group of local private investors. The bank excels as a boutique financial institution specializing in automobile and insurance premium finance loans and is expanding focus onto commercial lending as well as business products and services. Franklin Security Bank currently serves over 16,000 customers in eight states. Growth plans call for a new state of the art Banking Center in Lackawanna County in 2009.

“Joe Bonsick brings a wealth of experiences in the Commercial Banking arena. His reputation and dedication to finding solutions for his customers is well respected in northeastern Pennsylvania. And, his determination and forthright ability to seek commercial banking relationships will be invaluable at Franklin Security Bank as we expand in the Scranton area. We are thrilled to have Joe join us as a key member of our team” said Richard Mebane, President and CEO of Franklin Security Bank

Mr. Bonsick joins Franklin Security Bank with 20 plus years of commercial banking expertise in both Lackawanna and Luzerne counties. Previously he held several senior level positions including senior relationship manager and market executive officer. He currently serves as a Director for the NEPA Council of the Boy Scouts of America, Scranton Tomorrow, and the Scranton Lackawanna Industrial Building Corporation. Mr. Bonsick previously served as a director at the Scranton Chamber of Commerce where he continues to actively participate. Mr. Bonsick is a graduate of Scranton Preparatory School and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from the University of Rochester.

Franklin Security Bank is a community bank fully dedicated to the areas it serves by providing highly personalized, caring customer service to individuals and businesses through its experienced group of banking professionals. To learn more about Franklin Security Bank please visit www.FranklinSecurityBank.net or call 1-877-482-7300.

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(8/18/08) SBA Philadelphia District Office Welcomes Franklin Security Bank as New SBA Guaranteed Lender

PHILADELPHIA, PA. – The U.S. Small Business Administration’s Philadelphia District Office announced today the addition of Franklin Security Bank to its growing list of SBA Guaranteed Lenders in Eastern Pennsylvania. The announcement took place at a Media Event at Franklin Security Bank’s main office in Plains, where senior management of Franklin Security Bank and the SBA had an opportunity to meet and converse.

“We are very excited that Franklin Security Bank has become a new SBA Guaranteed Lender,” said Dave Dickson, District Director of SBA’s Philadelphia District Office. He continued by stating, “In this type of an economic climate, small business owners need access to capital to start their businesses and keep them growing. SBA guaranteed loan programs help keep those lifelines open and I am happy that Franklin Security Bank is joining us in those efforts.”

Mr. Dickson was also joined by Richard F. Mebane, President; Richard McGee, Vice President of Commercial Lending; Thomas Ciak, Vice President of Commercial Lending; Richard Drust, Vice President of Retail Banking; and Jessica Spare, Commercial Lending Specialist for Franklin Security Bank. Mr. Mebane stated, “We are very pleased about the partnership with the SBA. This new opportunity will allow Franklin Security Bank to help more current and future small business owners find the capital they need.”

Franklin Security Bank is a community bank headquartered in Plains, PA and serves 16,000 customers in Northeast Pennsylvania. The bank is dedicated to the areas it serves by providing highly personalized customer service to individuals and businesses through its experienced group of banking professionals.

The SBA administers important loan guarantee programs that are essential to small businesses. SBA sets the guidelines for the loans, while SBA’s partners such as banks and credit unions actually make the loans to eligible small businesses. The SBA backs those loans with guarantees that eliminate some of the risk to the lending partners. These programs assist qualified small businesses to obtain financing when they might not be eligible for commercial loans through normal lending channels. The agency’s business loan programs have tremendous flexibility, financing under these programs can be guaranteed for a variety of general business purposes.

For questions regarding Franklin Security Bank call (570) 825-9800 ext. 1883 or logon to www.franklinsecuritybank.net.

For additional questions regarding SBA Programs and Services, feel free to contact the SBA’s Philadelphia District Office at (215) 580-2701 or logon to www.sba.gov.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) was created in 1953 as an independent agency of the federal government to aid, counsel, assist and protect the interests of small business concerns, to preserve free competitive enterprise and to maintain and strengthen the overall economy of our nation. We recognize that small business is critical to our economic recovery and strength, to building America's future, and to helping the United States compete in today's global marketplace. Although SBA has grown and evolved in the years since it was established in 1953, the bottom line mission remains the same. The SBA helps Americans start, build and grow businesses. Through an extensive network of field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations, SBA delivers its services to people throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, the U. S. Virgin Islands and Guam.

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(8/8/08) Area Banker Appointed to Statewide Committee

HARRISBURG, PA. – Richard F. Mebane, President and CEO of Franklin Security Bank, Plains Pennsylvania, has been appointed to the Pennsylvania Bankers Association (PBA) Members Services Policy Committee. The Committee is responsible for overseeing member services, PBA’S nomination process and all communications for the PBA.

Mebane will serve a 2-year term starting July 1. Mr. Mebane is a financial service professional with over 30 years of experience, including several roles at the executive management level. Previous to Franklin Security Bank he served as President of Guard Security Bank, a position he held for eight years. And prior, Mr. Mebane served as Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer of Franklin First Savings Bank, a $1.5 billion subsidiary of ONBANCorp, Inc. As the former Chief Financial Officer at Franklin First, he was instrumental in facilitating the sale of the organization to ONBANCorp which, in turn, was acquired by First Empire State Corporation in 1998.

Before entering the banking industry in 1987, Mr. Mebane was a Consultant and Certified Public Accountant with the firm of Laventhol and Horwath. A cum laude graduate of Rider College with a degree in Finance, Mr. Mebane has participated in advanced management training courses offered through the Harvard University Law School. He also received additional education through the American Bankers Association School of Commercial Lending and Graduate School of Commercial Lending. He has taught and/or lectured at Wilkes University, the University of Delaware and the University of Wisconsin. He is active in local civic affairs and is an active member of a number of professional organizations.

The Pennsylvania Bankers Association, located in Harrisburg, is the state’s major banking trade association representing an expansive and diverse membership. The Association offers extensive continuing education programs, government relations representation on behalf of the industry, and provides numerous products and services for banks and their employees.

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(3/25/08) Phishing Attempts Detected Using “Franklin Bank Security Department” Name

WILKES-BARRE, PA. – It has come to the attention of Franklin Security Bank that unknown entities made attempts today to defraud “Franklin Bank” customers. Both customers and non-customers of Franklin Security Bank should be aware that we do not solicit our customers for their banking information via email or phone in this manner. Franklin Security Bank will never send you an e-mail requesting personal information, such as your Social Security number, date of birth, debit card number, or PIN. Please notify us immediately if you receive a suspicious e-mail by forwarding that email to service@franklinsecuritybank.net.

“Phishing” scams involve an individual or entity creating an email address to mimic a legitimate bank. The emails portray to the recipient that their bank accounts are locked out, and that customer interaction is required. Sometimes there is a link to a web site that appears to be legitimate, but instead directs the unwitting customer to a fraudulent site that collects their passwords, bank account numbers, identification, and/or credit card information. In this instance, the email attempts that were made requested customers to call a toll free number to “reactivate your accounts immediately”.

Although this phishing attempt was not aimed specifically at Franklin Security Bank customers, we want to ensure awareness within the communities that we serve to protect your bank information and be vigilant to these scams.

For more information about phishing, please visit http://onguardonline.gov. This is a trusted government web site that provides helpful tips and facts regarding phishing and other scams.

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(10/8/07) Franklin Security Bank Names Heck Premium Finance Manager

WILKES-BARRE, PA. – Franklin Security Bank announced today that Anthony J. Heck has been named Premium Finance Manager.  Franklin Security Bank is the former Guard Security Bank that was recently acquired from Guard Financial Group by a group of local private investors.  Franklin Security Bank operates under a Federal Thrift Charter and is regulated by the Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS).  The bank is headquartered in Plains, Pa. and currently serves 16,000 customers in eight states and has specialized in providing automobile loans and insurance premium finance loans.  Growth plans call for expansion of new products and services in both the retail and commercial banking areas.

In his new position, Mr. Heck assumes full managerial responsibility for the Premium Finance Division of Franklin Security Bank and reports directly to the Vice President of Operations.  He brings extensive experience in the Premium Finance Industry with him.  Mr. Heck previously served with several companies in the industry including Budget Installment Corporation in Rockville Centre, New York, Standard Funding Corporation in Woodbury, New York and A.I. Credit Corporation in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where he held senior managerial positions.  Mr. Heck is a graduate of Pennsylvania State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Finance.  He resides in West Pittston, Pennsylvania.

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(9/10/07) Franklin Security Bank Appoints Bamkin Manager, Information Technology

WILKES-BARRE, PA. – Franklin Security Bank is the former Guard Security Bank which was recently acquired from Guard Financial Group by a group of local private investors.  Franklin Security Bank operates under a Federal Thrift Charter and is regulated by the Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS).  The bank is headquartered in Plains, Pa. and currently serves 16,000 customers in eight states and has specialized in providing automobile loans and insurance premium finance loans.  Growth plans call for expansion of new products and services in both the retail and commercial banking areas.

Mr. Bamkin has responsibility to manage all aspects of Franklin Security Bank’s technology and telecommunications systems.  He reports directly to the Vice President of Operations.  Prior to his new position at Franklin Security Bank, Mr. Bamkin served as Network Engineer – Voice and Data for Lightspeed Technologies in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. where he helped design and build call centers using Cisco Voice Over IP technology.  Earlier in his career, he worked with the Guard Insurance Group in Wilkes-Barre as a Field Tech Support Analyst providing technical phone and desk-side support for over 200 employees.  He started his career as an MIS Assistant with the Art Print Company in Taylor, Pa.  Mr. Bamkin holds an Associate Degree in Computer Science from Coalville Technical College in Coalville, England and has attended both Durham University and De Montfort University in England for Computer Science and Business Information Systems respectively.

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(8/15/07) Franklin Security Bank Appoints Ryzner Loan Operations Manager

WILKES-BARRE, PA. – Franklin Security Bank is the former Guard Security Bank which was recently acquired from Guard Financial Group by a group of local private investors.  Franklin Security Bank operates under a Federal Thrift Charter and is regulated by the Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS).  The bank is headquartered in Plains, Pa. and currently serves 16,000 customers in eight states and has specialized in providing automobile loans and insurance premium finance loans.  Growth plans call for expansion of new products and services in both the retail and commercial banking areas.

Ms. Ryzner has managerial responsibility for all indirect auto loan funding and servicing for Franklin Security Bank and reports directly to the Vice President of Consumer Lending.  Ms. Ryzner was previously with Tammac Credit Services as Operations Manager/Customer Service Manager Key Accounts where she was responsible for daily operations of the Real Estate division.  Prior to that, she held a variety of financial service positions with both community and regional banks in the area. Ms. Ryzner has attended evening classes in Business Administration and Finance at both Luzerne County Community College and Kings College.  

Franklin Security Bank is a community bank fully dedicated to the areas it serves by providing highly personalized, caring customer service to individuals and businesses through its experienced group of banking professionals.  To learn more about Franklin Security Bank please visit www.FranklinSecurityBank.net or call 1-877-482-7300.

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(7/30/07) Franklin Security Bank Names McGee Vice President, Commercial Lending

WILKES-BARRE, PA. – Franklin Security Bank announced today that Richard C. McGee has been appointed Vice President, Commercial Lending.  Franklin Security Bank is the former Guard Security Bank which was recently acquired from Guard Financial Group by a group of local private investors.  Franklin Security Bank operates under a Federal Thrift Charter and is regulated by the Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS).  The bank is headquartered in Plains, Pa. and currently serves 16,000 customers in eight states and has specialized in providing automobile loans and insurance premium finance loans.  Growth plans call for expansion of new products and services in both the retail and commercial banking areas.

“With over 30 years of management experience with large regional financial institutions, Dick McGee has demonstrated a proven track record of success in managing and growing commercial loan departments.  His deep experience in commercial lending that includes middle market, commercial real estate and small business will be invaluable to Franklin Security Bank as we continue to expand our product and service offerings in the commercial lending area.  Dick’s new appointment as Vice President, Commercial Lending is an important component of the bank’s immediate and long term growth strategy,” said Richard Mebane, President and CEO of Franklin Security Bank.  

Mr. McGee will have responsibility for all aspects of commercial lending and reports directly to the President and CEO of the bank.  He previously was Vice President, Group Manager Northeast Pa. Region for M & T Bank where he was responsible for all facets of middle market and commercial real estate lending.  Prior to that position, Mr. McGee served as Senior Vice President, Manager Commercial Lending for Franklin First Savings Bank where he had complete management responsibility for middle market, commercial real estate and small business lending.  He has also held executive level positions with OnBank and Security Trust Company.  Mr. McGee is a graduate of Muskingum College with a degree in Business Administration and from the University of Buffalo, Graduate School of Commercial Lending. 

Franklin Security Bank is a community bank fully dedicated to the areas it serves by providing highly personalized, caring customer service to individuals and businesses through its experienced group of banking professionals.  To learn more about Franklin Security Bank please visit www.FranklinSecurityBank.net or call 1-877-482-7300.

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(7/9/07) Franklin Security Bank Names Drust Vice President, Retail Banking

WILKES-BARRE, PA. – Franklin Security Bank today named Richard D. Drust as Vice President, Retail Banking.  Franklin Security Bank is the former Guard Security Bank which was recently acquired from Guard Financial Group by a group of local private investors.  Franklin Security Bank operates under a Federal Thrift Charter and is regulated by the Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS).  The bank is headquartered in Plains, Pa. and currently serves 16,000 customers in eight states and has specialized in providing automobile loans and insurance premium finance loans.  Growth plans for the bank call for expansion of new products and services in both the retail and commercial banking areas.

“As the newly appointed Vice President of Retail Banking for Franklin Security Bank, Rick Drust brings to us a significant depth of experience and expertise in the financial services business.  He has demonstrated throughout his 23 year career strong leadership and management skills that will make him extremely valuable in helping us meet the aggressive growth goals we have established for the bank.  This will be especially true as we continue to expand the array of retail banking products and services Franklin Security Bank will be introducing to the communities we serve,” said Richard Mebane, President and CEO of Franklin Security Bank.  

Mr. Drust will have full responsibility for all retail banking products and services and reports directly to the bank’s President and CEO.  Mr. Drust joins Franklin Security Bank from M & T Bank where he served as Sales Manager for one of the Wilkes-Barre area branches. While there, he had direct responsibility for managing sales in retail banking, business banking, investments and insurance.  Prior to that, Mr. Drust was Multi-Site Area, District Manager for Franklin First Savings Bank with oversight of seven full service branches and retail activities.  He is a graduate of the Institute of Financial Education.  Mr. Drust is active in the community serving as a board member for the Arc of Luzerne County, co-founder of the Kingston Area Merchants & Professional Association and is involved in numerous other community and civic organizations. 

Franklin Security Bank is a community bank fully dedicated to the areas it serves by providing highly personalized, caring customer service to individuals and businesses through its experienced group of banking professionals.  To learn more about Franklin Security Bank please visit www.FranklinSecurityBank.net or call 1-877-482-7300.

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(6/28/07)Franklin Security Bank Appoints Ward Vice President, Consumer Lending

WILKES-BARRE, PA. – Franklin Security Bank today named Joseph G. Ward as Vice President, Consumer Lending. Franklin Security Bank is the former Guard Security Bank which was recently acquired from Guard Financial Group by a group of local private investors.  Franklin Security Bank operates under a Federal Thrift Charter and is regulated by the Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS).  The bank is headquartered in Plains, Pa. and currently serves 16,000 customers in eight states and has specialized in providing automobile loans and insurance premium finance loans.  Growth plans for the bank call for expansion of new products and services in both the retail and commercial banking areas.

“Joe Ward brings a wealth of lending experience to Franklin Security Bank and we are very pleased to have him head up our consumer lending operations.  His past experience in a variety of senior lending positions has demonstrated that Joe is truly respected as a hands-on professional who is committed to a very high level of customer service and satisfaction.  Joe epitomizes all of the values that Franklin Security Bank has pledged to bring to the communities we serve now and in the future,” said Richard Mebane, President and CEO of Franklin Security Bank.  

Mr. Ward will manage all functions of consumer lending and collections at Franklin Security Bank and reports directly to the President and CEO.  Prior to joining Franklin Security Bank, he was Vice President and Senior Lending Officer for Guard Security Bank where he was responsible for oversight of production, loan quality and servicing for the bank’s loan portfolio.  Previous to that, Mr. Ward was with M & T Bank where he was in charge of automobile lease underwriting and Franklin First Savings Bank as Senior Vice President managing the consumer lending department.  Earlier in his banking career, he held lending positions with Philadelphia Savings Fund Society and Merchants Bank of Wilkes-Barre.  Mr. Ward is a graduate of King’s College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration.

Franklin Security Bank is a community bank fully dedicated to the areas it serves by providing highly personalized, caring customer service to individuals and businesses through its experienced group of banking professionals.  To learn more about Franklin Security Bank please visit www.FranklinSecurityBank.net or call 1-877-482-7300.

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(6/4/07) Franklin Security Bank Names Board of Directors

WILKES-BARRE, PA. – Franklin Security Bank today named the seven members of its newly established Board of Directors. Franklin Security Bank is the former Guard Security Bank which was recently acquired from Guard Financial Group by a group of local private investors.  Franklin Security Bank operates under a Federal Thrift Charter and is regulated by the Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS).  The bank is headquartered in Plains, Pa. and currently serves 16,000 customers in eight states and has specialized in providing automobile loans and insurance premium finance loans.  Growth plans for the bank call for expansion of new products and services in both the retail and commercial banking areas.

“Franklin Security Bank is truly pleased to name the members of our Board of Directors.  Our Bank Directors are all highly successful individuals with strong local ties that have distinguished themselves in establishing and building their own businesses in a variety of industries.  Their combined, enormous level of business experience will be invaluable in helping to guide and grow Franklin Security Bank into the community banking resource we have pledged to create for this area,” said Richard Mebane, President, CEO and Director of Franklin Security Bank. 

The newly established Board of Directors for Franklin Security Bank are: 
Arthur J. Kania, named Chairman of the Board.  Mr. Kania is principal of Trikan Associates of Bala Cynwyd; Patrick J. O’Connor, Esq., named Vice Chairman of the Board.  Mr. O’Connor is President and CEO of the Cozen O’Connor law firm:  Richard F. Mebane, named Director.  Mr. Mebane is President and CEO of Franklin Security Bank; James B. McDonough, named Director.  Mr. McDonough is President of Glenmaura; Robert K. Mericle, named Director.  Mr. Mericle is Founder and Owner of Mericle Commercial Real Estate Services; Robert L. Tambur, named Director.  Mr. Tambur is Chairman and CEO of Tammac Holdings Corporation; and W. Kirk Wycoff, named Director.  Mr. Wycoff is Chairman and CEO of Plymouth Meeting based Continental Bank.

Franklin Security Bank is a community bank fully dedicated to the areas it serves by providing highly personalized, caring customer service to individuals and businesses through its experienced group of banking professionals.  To learn more about Franklin Security Bank, please visit www.FranklinSecurityBank.net or call 1-877-482-7300.

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(5/14/07) Franklin Security Bank Names Mebane as President, CEO and Director

WILKES-BARRE, PA. – Franklin Security Bank today named Richard F. Mebane as President, CEO and Director.  Franklin Security Bank is the former Guard Security Bank which was recently acquired from Guard Financial Group by a group of local private investors.  Franklin Security Bank operates under a Federal Thrift Charter and is regulated by the Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS).  The bank is headquartered in Plains, Pa. and currently serves 16,000 customers in eight states and has specialized in providing automobile loans and insurance premium finance loans.  Growth plans for the bank call for expansion of new products and services in both the retail and commercial banking areas.

“As former President of Guard Security Bank and now President, CEO and Director of Franklin Security Bank, I’m truly excited about the opportunity we have ahead of us to expand and grow as a customer focused community bank serving the area.  Our Board of Directors and investors are fully committed to expanding both our retail and commercial banking business with a highly personalized level of customer service that can only be delivered operating as a true community bank.  We are deeply invested in the community through the background and activities of our directors, management and staff and fully intend to continue and expand that bond with the area,” said Richard Mebane.

Mr. Mebane is a financial services professional with over 30 years of related experience.
He most recently was President of Guard Security Bank, then a wholly owned subsidiary of Guard Financial Group that he and the executive management group conceived and opened in 1999.  Prior to that, he served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Franklin First Savings Bank, a $1.5 billion subsidiary of ONBANCorp, Inc. operating throughout Northeastern Pa. with 19 branches and 5 lending centers.  Before entering the banking industry, Mr. Mebane was a consultant and Certified Public Accountant with the firm of Laventhol and Horwath.  He is a cum laude graduate of Rider College with a degree in Finance and has completed advanced management training courses through the Harvard University Law School, as well as continuing
education courses through the American Bankers Association.  He has taught and lectured at Wilkes University, the University of Delaware and the University of Wisconsin.  Mr. Mebane is a member and actively involved in a number of professional organizations including the Pennsylvania Bankers Association and the American and Pennsylvania Institutes of Certified Public Accountants. 

Franklin Security Bank is a community bank fully dedicated to the areas it serves by providing highly personalized, caring customer service to individuals and businesses through its experienced group of banking professionals.  To learn more about Franklin Security Bank please visit www.FranklinSecurityBank.net or call 1-877-482-7300.

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(5/7/07) Investor Group with Local Ties Acquires Guard Security Bank

WILKES-BARRE, PA. – A private investment group with local ties to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton area has announced today that it has acquired Guard Security Bank from the Guard Financial Group for an undisclosed amount.  Guard Financial Group and Guard Security Bank are both headquartered in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.  Richard Mebane, spokesman for the investor group and newly named President & CEO of Franklin Security Bank has announced the acquisition.  “I can confirm that the acquisition of Guard Security Bank from Guard Financial Group has been completed.  As part of the terms of the agreement of sale, we are immediately rebranding the bank under our new name of Franklin Security Bank.  The bank will continue its full operations with current staff at its same location while our management team implements an aggressive expansion plan intended to develop new areas of future growth for the bank.”

Guard Security Bank was originally formed in 1999 under a Federal Thrift Charter and is regulated by the Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS). Franklin Security Bank has received full OTS approval to begin operations under its new management structure.  The bank currently serves 16,000 customers in eight states and has specialized in providing automobile loans and insurance premium finance loans.  Growth plans for the new bank call for expansion of new products and services in both the retail and commercial banking areas.

“We believe that Franklin Security Bank will be successful in building and growing our business in the communities we serve because our Directors, Officers and Staff are very much an integral part of those communities.  Our people are neighbors, friends and civic leaders out in the community and will bring those relationships into the Franklin Security Bank family”, said Richard Mebane.

The investor group behind the acquisition includes Bank Directors with local ties to the area.  They are: Arthur J. Kania, principal of Trikan Associates of Bala Cynwyd and founder of the Arthur Kania School of Management at the University of Scranton; Richard F. Mebane, former President of Guard Security Bank and newly appointed President and CEO of Franklin Security Bank; Robert K. Mericle, Founder and Owner of Mericle Commercial Real Estate Services; James B. McDonough, President of Glenmaura; Robert L. Tambur, Chairman and CEO of Tammac Holdings Corporation; Patrick J. O’Connor, Esq., President and CEO of Cozen O’Connor Law Firm; and W. Kirk Wycoff, Chairman and CEO of Plymouth Meeting based Continental Bank.

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