Community Focus Pays Off as

Whitesville State Bank Earns Highest 5-Star Rating

December 2011: BauerFinancial, Inc., Coral Gables, Florida, the nation's leading bank rating and research firm, proudly recognizes Whitesville State Bank, Whitesville, West Virginia as a Superior 5-Star rated bank. A 5-Star rating denotes that Whitesville State Bank is one of the best in the nation in terms of its overall financial performance. In fact, Whitesville State Bank has earned this 5-Star Superior rating for the last 19 consecutive quarters.

"The recent uproar against Big Banks has shed a whole new light on community banks, and for good reason," observes Karen L. Dorway, president of BauerFinancial. While the primary focus of the big banks is dividend payments, smaller banks tend to be locals and therefore more in tune with the communities they serve. This community focus has paid off as Whitesville State Bank has earned Bauer's highest 5-Star rating for strength and stability.

Established in 1946, Whitesville State Bank has proudly served its local communities for 65 years. It currently operates through conveniently located offices in Comfort, Crab Orchard, Glen Daniel and Whitesville.

Whitesville State Bank: Your Friendly Independent Bank.

BauerFinancial, Coral Gables, Florida, the nation's leading independent bank and credit union rating and research firm, has been reporting on and analyzing the performance of U.S. banks and credit unions since 1983. No institution pays BauerFinancial to rate it, nor can any choose to be excluded. Consumers may obtain star-ratings by visiting www.bauerfinancial.com.