Talmer Bank Opens Full Service Banking Center in Chicago

CHICAGO, July 1, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Talmer Bank and Trust, a subsidiary of Troy, MI-based Talmer Bancorp, Inc., today announced that it has opened a banking center at 333 West Wacker Drive, Chicago, the Company's first full service banking center in the Illinois banking market.

"We have a strong team with established relationships in the Chicago market, with many of our clients, friends and shareholders residing in the city and the surrounding suburbs.  By upgrading our presence in Illinois from a loan production office to a full service banking center, we will be able to better serve our clients, expand upon those relationships and create new relationships," said David T. Provost, Talmer Bank Chairman and CEO.   "This banking center opening is the next step of a process that will see us continue to expand in Illinois and across the Midwest as opportunities arise."

"We are delighted to bring Talmer's highly personalized brand of banking to the Chicago market.  Our Chicago office is staffed with long time, experienced Chicago bankers, who look forward not only to serving the clients we have come to know in this market area over the last 25 years, but also to enhancing our client base. In addition, we look forward to expanding Talmer's involvement in the Illinois neighborhoods and communities we serve," said Hugh H. McLean, Talmer Illinois Region President.  McLean also serves as Talmer Bank's Executive Managing Director and Chief Lending Officer.

In addition to McLean, the Company also announced that Talmer Bank Vice Chairman, Gary S. Collins will oversee its Illinois presence. Prior to joining Talmer, both Collins and McLean served as vice chairman of The PrivateBank, Chicago.  In addition, two other former PrivateBank, Chicago executives, Robert Moore and David Neilson serve as Talmer's managing directors for Illinois commercial and industrial lending and commercial real estate lending, respectively. Both also have private banking relationship responsibilities.

About Talmer Bancorp, Inc.

Headquartered in Troy, Michigan, Talmer Bancorp, Inc., is the holding company for Talmer Bank and Trust and First Place Bank. Talmer is one of the best capitalized banking institutions, with current assets of approximately $4.5 billion, 87 banking centers and 20 loan production offices in Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Wisconsin and Maryland.  Talmer Bancorp, has raised in excess of $400 million of capital since its inception in 2007, and has completed five bank acquisitions including: CF Bancorp, Port Huron, MI; First Banking Center, Burlington, WI; People's State Bank, Madison Heights, MI; Community Central Bank, Mt. Clemens, MI; and First Place Bank, Warren, OH. For additional information visit www.talmerbank.com.

About the Talmer name

Originally named First Michigan Bank at its 2007 founding, the Company needed a name not tied to the State of Michigan, since its strategic focus was on being a Midwestern regional bank. Talmer is a combination of the names of the principal founder's grandfathers. Talmage is the surname of CEO David Provost's grandfather, and Merzon is the surname of Company Chairman Gary Torgow's grandfather. Both Provost and Torgow continue the legacies of their grandfathers, two remarkable humanitarians who never met, but shared a common purpose – enriching the lives of their communities.  The grandsons honor that work with a bank that combines their grandfathers' names and continues their commitment to community, integrity and service. The official name change took place in April, 2011.

SOURCE Talmer Bancorp, Inc.