PLYMOUTH MEETING, Pa., June 3, 2010 – Continental Bank announced today that Jeffrey B. Pugh, Vice President, Government Guaranteed Lending has been named by the Small Business Administration (SBA) as the winner of its 2010 Eastern Pennsylvania Financial Services Champion of the Year award. Continental Bank has branch locations in Plymouth Meeting, Devon, Limerick, Roxborough, Bala Cynwyd, East Norriton, Blue Bell, West Norriton, Shannondell at Valley Forge and King of Prussia and is focused on bringing true community banking back to the region.

Mr. Pugh joined Continental Bank in July 2006 and started the Bank’s SBA Lending Program. He was primarily responsible for Continental Bank gaining approval as a Preferred SBA Lender. In addition, Continental Bank was ranked as the #1 lender for dollars lent in the Philadelphia District Office of the Small Business Administration for the year October 1, 2008 through September 30, 2009. The Financial Services Champion of the Year Award is in recognition of several factors including assisting small businesses to obtain financing, advocating for changes in the financial services industry, encouraging the flow of investment capital to small ventures and other significant contributions through the advocacy efforts of the financial services or accounting industries to advance small business interests.

In the awards ceremony held May 6, 2010 by the SBA Philadelphia District Office, SBA Philadelphia District Director, David Dickson said “Mr. Pugh’s efforts have made financing accessible to small businesses that otherwise would have been forced to forgo opportunities. We at the SBA are very pleased to commend him for this important work.”

“Continental Bank is extremely proud to see Jeff Pugh honored with this award by the SBA. Jeff has done an outstanding job serving the small business community and helping Continental Bank achieve its goal of becoming a leader in SBA lending.” said H. Wayne Griest, President and CEO of Continental Bank.

Mr. Pugh has over 18 years of commercial lending experience. He most recently served as Vice President of Commercial Banking for Penn Liberty Bank. Prior to that position, Mr. Pugh was Vice President, Government Guaranteed Lending for the former Progress Bank up until its acquisition by FleetBoston in 2004. He is originally from Northeastern Pennsylvania and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Mr. Pugh is a resident of East Norriton, Pennsylvania.

Continental Bank is a $480 million community bank with 10 locations that was formed on September 7, 2005 and is focused on providing customized banking solutions to individuals and businesses in its local markets. To learn more about Continental Bank, its locations, products, services and people, please visit www.thecontinentalbank.com or call 1-800-705-5500.