St. John National Bank announces it has earned Bauer Financial, Inc. highest 5 Star rating for the 50th consecutive quarter

February 2009: St. John National Bank proudly announces it has earned BauerFinancial, Inc.'s highest 5-Star Superior rating for financial strength and stability. BAUERFINANCIAL has been analyzing the nation's banks for over 25 years and has earned the reputation as "the Nation's Bank Rating Firm", so to garner its highest 5-Star rating is a time-honored badge of distinction. Customers of SJNB can be proud that their bank still shines, even under the watchful eye of the BAUERFINANCIAL microscope. The rating is based on the overall financial picture of the bank and at 5-Stars indicates that SJNB is one of the STRONGEST banks in the nation. This is the 50th consecutive quarter that SJNB has earned this highest honor.

"This New Year in particular brings with it a whole new set of worries, but where a consumer banks shouldn't be one of them", remarks Karen L. Dorway, president of BAUERFINANCIAL. "Some banks ignored proper loan underwriting standards in recent years and are now paying the price for that decision. But, SJNB is a prime example of a bank that has stuck to traditional, conservative banking strategies, which, in this climate, is exactly what the ‘other banks' are returning to. St. John National Bank is a model of banking safety and soundness and its customers can rest assured in that knowledge.

Established in 1905, St. John National Bank has been serving the banking needs of its neighbors and friends for 104 years. It operates through conveniently located offices at 3rd & Broadway in St. John.

BAUERFINANCIAL, Inc., Coral Gables, Florida, the nation's leading independent bank rating and research firm, has been reporting on and analyzing the performance of U.S. banks and credit unions since 1983. No institution pays for its rating, nor can it be eluded. Consumers may obtain star-ratings by visiting www.bauerfinancial.com.