Growth Strategies For Service Require Changes At Native American Bank, N.A.
May 16, 2008

(Denver, CO) “In the best interest of our customers, our regulators, and the bank, the Board of Directors of Native American Bank, N.A. (NABNA), has announced the hiring of Donald H. McLean as interim President and C.E.O.” said Elouise Cobell, Co-Chair of NABNA’s Board of Directors. “Mr. McLean will use his background in both domestic and international banking and in the business and non-profit sectors to help create even more opportunities to finance Indian Country growth.”

NABNA’s President was placed on administrative leave at the end of April. “Currently, NABNA is having it’s annual regulatory audit performed by the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC),” said Tina Danforth, Chairwoman of Native American Bancorporation, the holding company, “and while there’s been some speculation about management changes, it is our policy not to discuss either regulatory or personnel matters that are still pending, in the media.”

“We have an obligation to our employees, customers and the 26 federally recognized Indian tribes, Alaska Native corporations and tribal organizations that own NABNA.” said Cobell, “We are focused on service and growth, and will continue to be an agent of change to bring brighter tomorrows to future generations in Indian Country. By it’s very nature, growth means change, sometimes even in the management ranks.”

Background

Tina Danforth, Chairperson of the Native American Bancorporation, is a member of the Oneida Tribe of Wisconsin.

Elouise Cobell, Co-Chair of Native American Bank, N.A.'s Board of Directors is a member of the Blackfeet Tribe.

Native American Bank, N.A. (NABNA) was formed in 2001 by twenty Tribes and Tribal Organizations to capture the immense, and often underserved, banking opportunities in countless American Indian communities.

NABNA's corporate headquarters and national commercial lending operations are in Denver, Colorado. NABNA also has a full service branch bank in Montana. In addition, loan and deposit production offices are currently operating in Montana, Alaska and most recently, Idaho.