Helga Houston Named Huntington’s Chief Risk Officer

Huntington Bank (NASDAQ: HBAN; www.huntington.com) announced today that Helga Houston is joining the bank as chief risk officer, replacing Kevin Blakely when he retires at year end. She will join Huntington’s leadership team and report to Stephen D. Steinour, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Huntington.

Houston has 30 years of diversified banking experience in risk management, business development and client relationships. She currently serves as a partner with Phoenix Global Advisors in Charlotte, NC. Prior to that, she held executive positions with Bank of America for 20 years, most recently as its global consumer and small business risk and compliance executive. She brings Huntington additional risk management experience in wealth and investment management, corporate and investment banking and commercial real estate finance. Earlier in her career, Houston held positions in real estate with Crocker National Bank and Home Federal Savings and Loan.

"Strong risk management is key to creating a long-term financial performance culture. Over the last three years, we have made significant investments in people and technology that have strengthened our risk identification and management policies and processes. Helga brings us broad-based experience in a variety of risk management roles that allows us to continue to promote a strong risk management culture. Her leadership will support our disciplined growth strategy and enhance our executive team,” said Steinour.

Houston earned her bachelor’s degree from Westmont College and her MBA from the University of Southern California. She has served as a board member and then the vice chair of the Risk Management Association.

Houston will succeed Kevin Blakely, who will retire at year end after almost 40 years in banking and three years at Huntington during which he led the building of a strong risk management culture and helped return the bank to a solid footing.

"Kevin played an integral role in helping to turn the bank around. His hard work and leadership leave us well prepared for long-term growth and success,” said Steinour.

About Huntington

Huntington Bancshares Incorporated is a $53 billion regional bank holding company headquartered in Columbus, Ohio. The Huntington National Bank, founded in 1866, provides full-service commercial, small business, and consumer banking services; mortgage banking services; treasury management and foreign exchange services; equipment leasing; wealth and investment management services; trust services; brokerage services; customized insurance brokerage and service programs; and other financial product and services. The principal markets for these services are Huntington’s six-state banking franchise: Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Indiana, West Virginia, and Kentucky. The primary distribution channels include a banking network of over 600 traditional branches and convenience branches located in grocery stores and retirement centers, and through an array of alternative distribution channels including internet and mobile banking, telephone banking, and over 1,300 ATMs. Through automotive dealership relationships within its six-state banking franchise area and selected New England states, Huntington also provides commercial banking services to the automotive dealers and retail automobile financing for dealer customers.

The logo mark and Huntington^® are federally registered service marks of Huntington Bancshares Incorporated.