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MERCANTIL COMMERCEBANK NAMES WILLIAM LAWLER VICE PRESIDENT, BRANCH SALES AND SERVICE MANAGER FOR ITS NEW PARKLAND BRANCH

Coral Gables, FL - July 7, 2009

Mercantil Commercebank N.A., one of South Florida’s largest financial institutions with $5.8 billion in assets, has named William J. Lawler, Vice President, Branch Sales and Service Manager for its newest Banking Center in Parkland, Florida.

Lawler has over 23 years of financial services experience, including 18 years in various senior management positions. As Vice President, Branch Sales and Service Manager, he will be responsible for delivering the Bank’s portfolio of financial services including cash management, personal banking, and commercial lending to local businesses and professionals.

“Lawler is a very qualified individual to help us further our presence in northern Broward County,” said Edward Holden, EVP Manager of Personal and Commercial Banking at Mercantil Commercebank. “He is one of the area’s most respected professionals in the financial services industry, with a diverse background in private banking, commercial lending, retail and bank operations, making him an asset to both our current, as well as prospective customers.”

Prior to joining Mercantil Commercebank, Lawler had an eight-year tenure with Regions Bank where he held various positions, among them SVP of their Palm Beach Private Banking Group. He was also a Senior Vice President of Commercial Lending and Business Development for Bank of Florida (Boca Raton) where his responsibilities included the overall growth of all lines of business.

A native of Massachusetts; William attended Bentley College and the New England Banking Institute in Boston. He is actively involved in his community and participates in numerous charitable organizations. He is involved in the American Cancer Foundation as a Board Member; and the American Heart Association Executive Committee. He is an Executive Member of PROPEL and the Sat Foundation Committee; the Mentoring Program through FAU, and a Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce Trustee. Other philanthropic activities include President Elect of the Concord Rotary and Vice President of the Concord Chamber of Commerce.

ABOUT MERCANTIL COMMERCEBANK:
Mercantil Commercebank N.A. is one of the largest privately held banks in South Florida serving its community for 30 years. Mercantil Servicios Financieros (MSF), a Venezuelan company, beneficially owns the Bank through U.S. bank holding companies. MSF is the largest provider of financial services in Venezuela, with more than 80 years of experience. Mercantil Commercebank has assets of $5.8 billion. The Bank is headquartered in Coral Gables, Florida, and has 17 Banking Centers, 15 in South Florida; one in Manhattan, New York; and one in Houston, Texas. Mercantil Commercebank is a recipient of the “100 Top Business Minority Awards,” and is ranked as a Top Community Bank in South Florida. The Bank offers a wide variety of domestic, international, personal, and commercial banking services, including investment, trust, and estate planning through its subsidiaries, Mercantil Commercebank Investment Services, Inc. and Mercantil Commercebank Trust Company, N.A. For more information, please visit www.mercantilcb.com.

Editor’s Note: There’s another bank in South Florida whose moniker includes the word ‘Mercantile.’ Please note that we are MERCANTIL COMMERCEBANK. Thank you.