Huntington Bancshares Names Stephen R. Brown Chief Auditor

COLUMBUS, Ohio, May 23, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Huntington Bancshares (Nasdaq: HBAN: www.huntington.com) has named Stephen R. Brown executive vice president and chief auditor. Brown will report directly to the Audit Committee of the Huntington Board of Directors. Brown will lead internal audit functions as well as interface with the board and the leadership team on audit and control matters.

"Steve is a very accomplished executive in auditing and risk assessment," said Stephen D. Steinour, chairman, CEO and president of Huntington. "He has a clear understanding of the role of internal audit operations in a large organization as well as a comprehensive knowledge of banking. We welcome his expertise as we continue to grow the bank."

Brown succeeds Eric Sutphin, executive vice president, who began serving as chief auditor beginning in September 2004. Sutphin has been promoted to lead risk management activities for Huntington's wealth advisors, government finance and home lending segments.

"Eric has done a terrific job building a strong internal audit team," added Steinour. "Eric is an effective leader who has passion for Huntington and its success."

Prior to joining Huntington, Brown was managing director of audit services at SunTrust Banks, Inc. He began his career at SunTrust in 2002 as a relationship manager in audit services and worked as a business process and technology manager in wholesale banking before becoming managing director.

Brown began his banking career at the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond and eventually became a senior financial auditor. After eight years at the Federal Reserve, he joined Arthur Andersen LLP as a manager in technology risk consulting.

"Huntington's board and its leadership team have the insight, vision and energy to prudently grow the bank," said Brown. "I am looking forward to joining a strong and dedicated group of professionals."

Brown earned his bachelor's in finance at the University of South Carolina and an MBA from the University of Richmond. He also served in the United States Marine Corps for four years.

About Huntington

Huntington Bancshares Incorporated is a $53 billion regional bank holding company headquartered in Columbus, Ohio. Huntington National Bank, founded in 1866, provides full-service commercial, small business, and consumer banking services; mortgage banking services; treasury management and foreign exchange services; equipment leasing; wealth and investment management services; trust services; brokerage services; customized insurance brokerage and service programs; and other financial product and services. The principal markets for these services are Huntington's six-state banking franchise: Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Indiana, West Virginia, and Kentucky. The primary distribution channels include a banking network of over 600 traditional branches and convenience branches located in grocery stores and retirement centers, and through an array of alternative distribution channels including internet and mobile banking, telephone banking, and over 1,300 ATMs. Through automotive dealership relationships within its six-state banking franchise area and selected New England states, Huntington also provides commercial banking services to the automotive dealers and retail automobile financing for dealer customers.

SOURCE Huntington Bancshares