Bowling Green, Ky. - National City Bank of Kentucky has launched a program with four of the state's largest universities, including Western Kentucky University, designed to keep some of Kentucky's best and brightest business students in the state after graduation. The program is the first of its kind in any of the seven states where National City operates.

The National City Business Scholars program provides up to $10,000 scholarship money and a $4,000 Summer Scholars job to selected candidates after the junior and senior years. In addition to Western, the program will initially be offered to business school students at the University of Louisville, University of Kentucky and Eastern Kentucky University.

"Our program is unique in that it offers scholarship dollars, the opportunity for summer business experience and great networking opportunities within the professional setting," said Chuck Denny, president and CEO of National City Bank of Kentucky. "We are excited to offer this opportunity to students in participation with these particular universities. We've had a history of good relationships with them over the years and this program serves to strengthen those relationships."

Students who are in the spring semester of their sophomore year and have a demonstrated financial need are eligible to apply. They must also have a cumulative 3.0 Grade Point Average and be majoring in business, finance, economics, or other business-related field. The $2,500 scholarship is renewable for four semesters after selection for a potential total of $10,000 over the course of two years.

Applicants will be selected based on financial need, community service, campus involvement, academic honors and work history. The 2005 scholarship winners will be presented with the scholarship in June 2005 and the Summer Scholars job component of the program will begin in May 2006. Summer Scholars applicants must comply with the standard National City employment requirements.

WKU President Gary Ransdell said he was excited by National City's initiative to help keep Kentucky's brightest students in Kentucky.

"National City is offering a powerful combination of scholarship dollars and workplace opportunities that fit well with the entrepreneurial focus of our business program," Dr. Ransdell said. "Education continues to be the key to our Commonwealth's economy and National City - a longtime supporter of higher education and Western Kentucky University - is making a serious investment in our future."

About National City
National City Bank of Kentucky is the largest bank in the state with over 110 locations in the regions of Louisville, Lexington/central KY, Bowling Green, Owensboro, Ashland and London/southeast KY. National City Corporation (NYSE: NCC), 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 NationalCity.com.

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For more information, contact Terri Wilson, (502) 581-4073 or Robert Jefferson, (270) 745-6311.