CINCINNATI, Jun 9, 2003 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- The Urban Financial Services Coalition of Greater Cincinnati (formerly Urban Bankers) ("UFSC") awarded seven $1,000 scholarships at its 11th annual banquet last Wednesday. The event was hosted at the Cincinnati Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland and was attended by over 130 guests, members and supporters. The scholarship encourages minority youth to explore careers in the financial services industry. Since its inception, the Cincinnati chapter of UFSC has awarded over $80,000 in scholarships locally.

Greg Johnson, vice president of consumer credit products at U.S. Bank and chair of this year's event said, "The pool of candidates was exceptional and it was difficult to select only seven winners."

Marvin Lewis, head coach of the Cincinnati Bengals gave the keynote address and awarded a $1,000 scholarship, in his name, to LaVandez Jones, who resides in Walnut Hills and is a senior at Walnut Hills High. The other recipients included Lydell Carter, a senior at Sycamore High who lives in Blue Ash, sponsored by PNC Bank; Jane Harris, a senior at Walnut Hills who resides in Madisonville, sponsored by Provident Bank; Sara Strickland, a senior at Walnut Hills who resides in Roselawn, sponsored by Fifth Third Bank; Stanley Wells, a senior at Walnut Hills who lives in Avondale, sponsored by Cheap Tobacco; Theodore Wireko, a senior at Lakota West who lives in West Chester, sponsored by Fimco; and Ashley Wright, a senior at Finneytown who lives in College Hill, sponsored by U.S. Bank Institutional Custody Services.

Eric Louden, Senior Vice President at Louisville Community Development Bank and President of the Cincinnati Chapter, stated "The scholarship banquet is a great opportunity to recognize outstanding minority youth and provide an opportunity for our sponsors to see some of the great work we do in the community."

UFSC raises funds for the scholarships at its annual golf outing. This year's outing will be held at The Golf Club of Legendary Run on August 25, 2003. Gold sponsors earn the privilege of having a scholarship awarded in their name. For information on the golf outing, email UFSC@cinci.rr.com or call (513) 703-GOLF.

About UFSC

UFSC is a non-profit organization of minority professionals in the financial services industry. UFSC was established in 1974. UFSC supports programs that offer practical benefits for minority financial services professionals, banks and financial institutions. This includes fostering the interest and expanding the numbers of minorities in banking, increasing community service activities in underserved markets, enhancing scholarship opportunities for minority youth in pursuit of financial services careers, and cultivating a premier pool of experienced minority banking professionals.

SOURCE: U.S. Bank

CONTACT:          U.S. Bank
                  Greg Johnson, 513/639-6279

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SOURCE: U.S. Bank