Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve

M & I Regional Bank President Reagan Rick sits next to the Adjutant General R. Martin Umbarger while signing a Statement of Support in Indianapolis, Indiana on Thursday.

M & I Bank to sign Statement of Support for the National Guard and Reserve

Indianapolis, IN — Roger Peterman Field Chair of the Indiana Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Committee (ESGR), an agency of the Department of Defense, announced that 35 Branches will sign a Statement of Support for the National Guard and Reserve on Wednesday April 30, 2009. The signing ceremony will occur at the Indianapolis War Memorial.

The Statement of Support confirms that M & I Bank with 35 of it branches joins other employers in pledging that:

M & I Bank fully recognize, honor and enforce the Uniformed Services Employment and Re-Employment Rights Act (USERRA).
M & I managers and supervisors will have the tools they need to effectively manage those employees who serve in the Guard and Reserve.

M & I Bank will continually recognize and support our country's service members and their families in peace, in crises and in war.

"Today, supportive employers are critical to maintaining the strength and readiness of the nation's National Guard and Reserve units. I am asking all Hoosier employers to review and amend their current human resources policies to ensure compliance with the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA)," said Roger Peterman "Many Indiana employers provide 'Above and Beyond' support with pay differential to offset the loss of wages, and extension of health care benefits, which complement coverage provided by the military, when their employees are mobilized."

When asked about the criteria, Doug Gibbens, Executive Director, Indiana Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve said "Our national security is inextricably linked to America's employers," Supportive employers like M & I Bank are critical to maintaining the strength and readiness of the nation's National Guard and Reserve units.

"By meeting the Statement of Support criteria, M & I Bank will stand proudly with its Guard and Reserve employees, who continue to answer their nation's call to defend our way of life. Their personal sacrifices are essential to the strength of our nation" Doug Gibbens "By signing the Statement of Support, each branch is sending a clear message to the employees of M & I Bank that while they are serving their country they do not have to worry about their civilian jobs."

Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) is a Department of Defense agency established in 1972. The mission of ESGR is to gain and maintain employer support for Guard and Reserve service by recognizing outstanding support, increasing awareness of the law, and resolving conflict through mediation. ESGR volunteers provide free education, consultation, and if necessary mediation for employers of Guard and Reserve employees.

As the 1.3 million members of the National Guard and Reserve continue to perform an increasing number of unique missions that require extraordinary actions on the part of everyday citizens, ESGR will continue to be the informational agency for the employers of citizen warriors. More information about ESGR Employer Outreach Programs and volunteer opportunities is available at www.esgr.mil, or by calling Doug Gibbens Executive Director of the Indiana ESGR Committee, at 317-247-3548.

M&I Bank is an affiliate of Marshall & Ilsley Corporation (NYSE: MI), a diversified financial services corporation headquartered in Milwaukee, Wis., with $62.3 billion in assets. Founded in 1847, M&I Marshall & Ilsley Bank is the largest Wisconsin-based bank, with 193 offices throughout the state. In addition, M&I has 53 locations throughout Arizona; 32 offices in Indianapolis and nearby communities; 36 offices along Florida's west coast and in central Florida; 15 offices in Kansas City and nearby communities; 26 offices in metropolitan Minneapolis/St. Paul, and one in Duluth, Minn.; and one office in Las Vegas, Nev. M&I's Southwest Bank subsidiary has 17 offices in the greater St. Louis area. M&I also provides trust and investment management, equipment leasing, mortgage banking, asset-based lending, financial planning, investments, and insurance services from offices throughout the country and on the Internet (www.mibank.com or www.micorp.com). M&I's customer-based approach, internal growth, and strategic acquisitions have made M&I a nationally recognized leader in the financial services industry.