Unizan Bank, National Association is Named Ohio's #1 SBA 7(a) Lender By Dollar Volume

Unizan Bank, National Association is Named Ohio's #1 SBA 7(a) Lender By Dollar
Volume 


COLUMBUS, Ohio, Nov. 6  /PRNewswire/ -- Unizan Bank, National Association is
pleased to announce that it has again been named the #1 SBA 7(a) lender based on
volume in the state of Ohio.  The organization has achieved this prestigious
position in six out of the last eight years.  This ranking is based upon dollar
amount for all 7(a) loans authorized in the state of Ohio.

"We are extremely proud of this accomplishment as we increased our volume by
almost 20 percent in the state of Ohio in 2003," noted James Baemel, executive
vice president, Corporate Banking.  "This total was all the more impressive
considering 2002 was a record year of performance for SBA lending at Unizan
Bank," said Baemel.

For many businesses, SBA-backed loans are an attractive source of financing for
equipment, permanent working capital and real estate.  Because these loans are
guaranteed by the SBA, businesses are generally permitted lower down payments
and terms not readily available through conventional sources.

"Unizan's successful business model is to provide value-added products and
services to the emerging small business entrepreneur.  Being named the number
one SBA 7(a) lender in Ohio shows that this marketplace values our service,
competitive rates and our business expertise," Baemel said.  "Our Ohio SBA model
has set the foundation for Unizan Bank to expand outside of the state including,
Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan and New Jersey, where we offer quality products and
services tailored to businesses of all sizes," Baemel concluded.

Unizan Bank, National Association is a subsidiary of Unizan Financial Corp.
(NASDAQ:UNIZ), a $2.8 billion holding company headquartered in Canton, Ohio. 
Unizan Bank, National Association operates 45 full-service retail financial
centers in five metropolitan markets in Ohio - Canton, Columbus, Dayton, Newark,
and Zanesville.  Through Unizan Financial Corp.'s subsidiaries, Unizan Bank,
National Association; Unizan Financial Services Group, National Association;
Unizan Banc Financial Services, Inc.; and Unizan Financial Advisors, Inc., the
company offers its client base corporate and retail banking, Internet banking
and wealth management products and services. Additionally, the company operates
niche businesses in government guaranteed loan programs through its business
lending centers in Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, and Dayton, Ohio;
Louisville, Kentucky; Detroit, Michigan; Mt. Arlington, New Jersey; and
Indianapolis, Indiana; as well as aircraft lending centers in Columbus; Orlando,
Florida; and Sacramento, California.  For more information on Unizan Financial
Corp. and its subsidiaries, visit the company on the Web at
http://www.unizan.com/ . 

DATASOURCE: Unizan Bank, National Association



CONTACT:  Sandy K. Upperman, Vice President, Corporate Communications of

Unizan Bank, National Association, [phone], or

email, 



Web site:  http://www.unizanbank.com/

http://www.unizan.com/ 

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