Union Bank Recognized as American Heart Association's 2012 Top Heart Walk Team

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Apr 01, 2013, 07:53 ET

LOS ANGELES, April 1, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Heart Association is pleased to announce that Union Bank, N.A., has earned the title of the 2012 Top Heart Walk Fundraising Team in the country for their fundraising efforts last calendar year.

Union Bank is a regional My Heart. My Life. platform sponsor, and has taken a leading role in fundraising across a number of markets in the American Heart Association Western States Affiliate. These efforts led to their securing the top spot.

"Union Bank is a role model for companies across the country. They have such a strong community-based approach, and it really shows in their health initiatives," said Roman Bowser, Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer of the American Heart Association Western States Affiliate. "They are raising money to fund research that is helping reduce death and disability from heart disease and stroke, and providing their employees and customers with heart healthy messaging and opportunities to benefit from the work they are helping fund."

Collectively, Union Bank raised nearly $538,000 to support the mission of the American Heart Association through their participation in the 2012 Heart Walk, and the number of Team UB walkers also grew substantially in 2012 to nearly 4,500 with participation in 216 walks throughout the bank's footprint. Over the past five years, Union Bank has contributed $2.5 million to help advance the lifesaving work of the association and was also the top Heart Walk Fundraising Team in the country in 2010.

"We are very proud of this distinction as the No. 1 Heart Walk team in the nation," said Union Bank Senior Executive Vice President Pierre Habis, head of Community Banking. "Congratulations to our employees, their families and friends, and our valued customers whose commitment helped us reach this goal – their combined efforts help illustrate our passion for not only giving back, but for educating our employees and communities to live healthier lives."

In celebration of this success, the American Heart Association and Union Bank invite the public to join them for National Walking Day on April 3, 2013. On this day, all Americans are encouraged to put on their sneakers and take steps toward a healthier lifestyle by walking during the lunch hour. At celebrations in Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego and Seattle, the American Heart Association and Union Bank will hold a special event with a one-mile group walk and other fun and healthy festivities. Please contact your local American Heart Association office for more information.

About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is the nation's oldest and largest voluntary health organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke. Our mission is to build healthier lives by preventing, treating and defeating these diseases — two of America's leading killers. We fund cutting-edge research, conduct lifesaving public and professional educational programs, and advocate to protect public health. To learn more or join us in helping all Americans, call 1-800-AHA-USA1 or visit heart.org.

About UnionBanCal Corporation & Union Bank, N.A.
Headquartered in San Francisco, UnionBanCal Corporation is a financial holding company with assets of $97 billion at December 31, 2012. Its primary subsidiary, Union Bank, N.A., is a full-service commercial bank providing an array of financial services to individuals, small businesses, middle-market companies, and major corporations. The bank operated 447 branches in California, Washington, Oregon, Texas, Illinois, and New York as well as two international offices, on December 31, 2012. UnionBanCal Corporation is a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd., which is a subsidiary of Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc. Union Bank is a proud member of the Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG, NYSE:MTU), one of the world's largest financial organizations. Visit http://www.unionbank.com for more information.