| Commercial Banking |
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Middle Market Lending Star Bank has been a leading commercial banking provider since its founding in 1863. We work to meet the financial needs of all businesses in our market areas, with a focus on building long-term relationships with middle market companies with annual sales of up to $250 million. Relationships spanning decades are not uncommon, even in the face of intense banking competition. As it has throughout its history in commercial banking, Star maintains its high credit standards and gains new business and repeat business based on our unrivaled customer service, flexibility, value-added supplementary services and superior knowledge of the industries, businesses and markets we serve. Close contact with clients and prospects is a hallmark of Star's commercial calling program. The Middle Market Lending portfolio is well diversified across industries, with no concentration in a single industry. Treasury Management 
The year 1997 was another growth year for Star Bank's Treasury Management Division. With its full line of cash management services,
competitive pricing and superior
technology-based delivery, Treasury Management reported a 16.0 percent increase in revenues, compared to 1996. Staffed by experienced, industry-focused professionals who understand the needs of businesses large and small, Star is
able to develop effective solutions and deliver them economically with advanced technology. Star Bank's state-of-the-art software, StarView CM, is a Windows based solution that allows customers to control their treasury management needs from one central workstation. In addition to accessing the cash position in any Star Bank checking account, StarView CM offers the flexibility of providing balance and detail information from other banks all on one central software. Additional features of StarView CM increase regularly as Star stays ahead of the competition and grows with our customers' needs. Treasury Management clients outsource payable and receivable
functions to Star Bank. Star's Treasury Management also provides balance reporting, ACH, account reconciliation, controlled disbursements, EDI services, wire transfers, and wholesale lockbox, including our unique customization of receivable posting services. In 1997, Star invested nearly $1 million in upgrading Remittance Processing (retail lockbox) to image technology. Star Bank has achieved a quality standard twice that of our competitors, faster throughput and the delivery platform from which to
deliver other image services.
 Global Services - International BankingStar Bank operates in one of the largest export/import regions in the nation, and our Global Services - International Banking Division has grown to meet the demand for related financial services. Our International Corporate Banking service was expanded in 1997, as we focus on the local banking needs of foreign owned companies and their employees located in our market area. Star Bank is able to meet the increased requirements of our international clients through its development of sophisticated electronic delivery systems, which enable us to succeed in a specialty, formerly dominated by much larger banks. Star Bank enters into selective partnerships which greatly expand our capabilities to service our clients. Partnerships include our online Canadian cash management services arrangement with the Bank of Montreal. We also have a partnership with the HongkongBank which broadens our ability to assist companies doing business in the Asia-Pacific Rim, as well as Asian companies located in the tri-state area. Our correspondent relationships with banks in Europe and around the world give Star Bank true global coverage for our clients. Star Bank has been awarded both the President's "E Star" Award, presented by the U.S. Department of Commerce, as well as the State of Ohio Governor's "E Award" for excellence in export services. |
Profitable growth of existing business lines
Startrust
Consumer banking
Multiple delivery channels
Market expansion
Additional growth strategies