ALPHARETTA, Feb.10, 2003 --- Jimmy Walker, Chairman and CEO of North Atlanta National Bank in Alpharetta, recently announced the hiring of Paul W. Black, II. A longtime Atlanta resident, Black joins the bank as Senior Vice President of Commercial Banking. "Paul worked as a commercial lender for both large regional banks and smaller community banks. The banking experiences he gained from working in these diverse environments will be invaluable as North Atlanta National Bank grows," said Walker.

Black’s responsibilities at North Atlanta National Bank include the development and expansion of commercial relationships and increasing North Atlanta National Bank’s penetration within the North Fulton and Forsyth markets. "I believe that one of the important keys to North Atlanta National Bank’s success is that it positions its people as banking professionals rather than product sales people," Black said. "Jimmy Walker and I share the same philosophy about the role of the professional banker. I gain great personal satisfaction when I can serve as an adviser to my clients and help them increase shareholder value." Following his graduation from Marist High School in 1981, Black attended the University of Georgia where he earned his degree in business management. In 1995, he completed a three-year graduate program at the Graduate School of Banking at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Black’s banking career began in 1986 with SunTrust Bank following his completion of the management-training program. Currently, he and his family reside in South Forsyth County.

North Atlanta National Bank is a community bank serving small businesses and individuals in the North Fulton community. The bank was a finalist for The Community Bankers Association of Georgia’s Quality Service Award and Community Bank of the Year in 2001 and 2002. The bank began serving the community in November 1998 and is headquartered in Alpharetta at 10500 Old Alabama Road Connector. Please visit the bank’s web site at www.nanb.com for more information.