SOUTH BEND, Ind., May 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The U. S. Department of Defense will recognize National City Bank of Indiana for the bank's extraordinary efforts in supporting its employees serving in the U. S. National Guard and Reserve. A recognition ceremony will take place on Wednesday, May 17, at 1:15 p.m. EDT at the South Bend Armory National Guard, 1901 South Kemble Avenue.
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The Department of Defense honors National City with the "Above and Beyond Award," presented by the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), an agency it established in 1972. ESGR recognizes employers who make an exceptional effort to support personnel serving in the National Guard and Reserve.
ESGR Executive Director Dave Ellington will present the award to Stephen A. Stitle, president and CEO of National City Bank of Indiana, and Brandon C. Siegel, National City area president of North Central and Northwest Indiana. They will be joined by associates who are active service members in signing a "5-Star" Statement that publicly demonstrates the bank's ongoing support for employees in the National Guard and Reserve. The bank will also issue a challenge to other employers to do the same.
"Since September 11, 2001, more than 500,000 National Guard and Reserve men and women across the United States have left their families and employers to serve on active duty in the Global War on Terrorism," explained Ellington. "Specifically, 19,400 are members of the Guard and Reserve in the State of Indiana, and of that number, 4,000 are currently deployed away from their loved ones and places of business. None of this is possible without the strong backing from companies like National City that employ these brave men and women who serve."
National City will receive the recognition because of its desire to be an employer that supports associates who serve our country and demonstrates its support by:
- Giving employees time off to train
- Paying the difference between regular salary and the amount paid
by the government for up to 9 months
- Offering up to 30 days of unpaid leave to associates with spouses or
children who have been called into active military duty to allow for
time in getting personal affairs and finances, etc. in order
- Sustaining their benefits during military leaves of absence and holding
their positions for their return
"Part of building a strong and successful community bank is encouraging our employees to positively impact their communities and nation, and I'm particularly proud to know there are those among us who would make such a significant contribution," says Siegel. "Spending your free time in rigorous training and then serving your country overseas is a terrific example of living out this philosophy. While it is nice that National City is appreciated for supporting their efforts, the true honor belongs to our employees who make this sacrifice."
The "5-Star" Statement is a promise from the company to promote training for managers to effectively supervise employees in the Guard; review and maintain human resources policies that support their efforts; and encourage all employees to consider service.
About National City
National City Corporation , headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, is one of the nation's largest financial holding companies. The company operates through an extensive banking network primarily in Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri and Pennsylvania, and also serves customers in selected markets nationally. Its core businesses include commercial and retail banking, mortgage financing and servicing, consumer finance and asset management. For more information about National City, visit the company's Web site at http://www.nationalcity.com/.
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