Press Releases

Senior Brandon Holden Selected as DC Delegate

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The National Capital Bank of Washington (NCB) is pleased to announce Brandon Holden, a senior at Banneker Academic Senior High School, has been selected as the DC Delegate to the National Council for International Visitors (NCIV) 2012 Citizen Diplomacy Program for Emerging Leaders.

Brandon, a resident of Ward 4, will join 12 other young people at the NCIV Annual National Meeting in Washington, DC on February 15-18, 2012. National Capital Bank has provided significant financial support for this program.

“National Capital Bank is proud to support Brandon’s participation in the NCIV Citizen Diplomacy Program for Emerging Leaders,� said Richard A. Didden, NCB Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “As a community bank focused on supporting the communities we serve, we are delighted that he was selected to participate in this program. He is a promising young man with a bright future ahead of him.�

“This program will help instill in the next generation of young leaders the importance of international relations, and of being an engaged global citizen,� said Mark Rebstock, Interim President of NCIV. “We appreciate National Capital Bank’s support of our efforts to develop strong, multi-generational leadership for NCIV.�

Selection for the program was highly competitive and based on Brandon’s previous experience as a 2010 recipient of a US State Department National Security Language Initiative for Youth Scholarship. In addition, he is an award-winning participant in the Global Classrooms Model UN Program, and a member of the Stephen T. Johns ‘Bringing The Lessons Home’ Ambassador Program at the US Holocaust Memorial Museum, in which he serves as a tour guide, researcher and facilitator of survivor interviews. He will be attending Bucknell University in Fall 2012.

About The National Capital Bank of Washington

The National Capital Bank of Washington was founded in 1889 and has been managed by the Didden family for 123 years. NCB has assets of $375 million and is headquartered on Capitol Hill with a second branch located in Friendship Heights. The bank has been recognized over the last decade with numerous accolades for its safety and soundness, exceptional performance, small business loans, and for being named one of the top banks and thrifts, a 100-year old small business of the year, and top commercial lender. NCB trades under the symbol NACB. For more information about NCB, go to www.nationalcapitalbank.com

About National Council for International Visitors

The National Council for International Visitors (NCIV) is a nonprofit membership association with 50 years of leadership in citizen diplomacy —the concept that individual citizens have the responsibility to help shape foreign relations “one handshake at a time.� NCIV’s membership includes individuals, program agencies, and more than 90 organizations in communities throughout the United States who design and implement professional programs, provide cultural activities, and offer home hospitality opportunities for foreign leaders and specialists participating in the U.S. Department of State International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) and other exchange programs. With leadership and training provided by NCIV, member organizations are expert at matching the resources of their communities with the needs of International Visitors. For more information, visit www.nciv.org

The National Capital Bank of WashingtonDavid Glaser, 202-546-8000dglaser@ncbwash.com

Source: The National Capital Bank of Washington (NCB)

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Fitch Ratings has affirmed the 'A+' long-term Issuer Default Rating (IDR) and 'F1+' short-term IDR of Mid-Atlantic Corporate Federal Credit Union (Mid-Atlantic) following the close of the company's merger with VACORP Federal Credit Union (VACORP). The Rating Outlook is Stable. A complete list of ratings is provided at the end of this release.

Fitch's affirmation of the ratings reflects that Mid-Atlantic's IDR is currently at its Support Rating floor. The 'b' Viability rating denotes weak future prospects. Material failure risk is present, but a limited margin of safety remains. The company's capacity for continued unsupported operation is vulnerable to deterioration in the business and economic environment. In Fitch's view the company continues to benefit from the government support provided to the industry. The ratings also reflect Mid-Atlantic's stronger capital relative to other corporate credit unions (CCUs).

Mid-Atlantic has met all the new regulatory capital requirements due to its successful capital raising initiatives. Total capital for the merged entity is about $176 million which includes $16 million in retained earnings. As of year end 2011, Mid-Atlantic's reported Tier 1 risk-weighted capital ratio of 19.18% and Total risk-weighted capital ratio of 22.24% far exceeds the new regulatory requirement of 4.00% and 8.00%, respectively. The leverage ratio of 5.38% also exceeded the required minimum of 4.00%. At year end 2011, Mid-Atlantic's retained earnings ratio of 0.47% slightly exceeds the 0.45% required minimum that CCUs must meet by 2013.

Mid-Atlantic is ranked the 4th largest company in the CCU network with total assets of approximately $4 billion and serves more than 850 members. Headquartered in Middletown, PA, Mid-Atlantic provides investment, lending and payment services including ACH, share draft and electronic processing in 44 states.

Fitch affirms the following ratings with a Stable Rating Outlook:

Mid-Atlantic Corporate Federal Credit Union

--Long-term IDR at 'A+';

--Short-term IDR at 'F1+';

--Viability at 'b';

--Support '1';

--Support Floor 'A+'.

Additional information is available at 'www.fitchratings.com'. The ratings above were solicited by, or on behalf of, the issuer, and therefore, Fitch has been compensated for the provision of the ratings.

Applicable Criteria and Related Research:

--Global Financial Institutions Rating Criteria (Aug. 16, 2011);

--U.S. Corporate Credit Unions (June 21, 2010).

Applicable Criteria and Related Research:

Global Financial Institutions Rating Criteria

http://www.fitchratings.com/creditdesk/reports/report_frame.cfm?rpt_id=649171

U.S. Corporate Credit Unions

http://www.fitchratings.com/creditdesk/reports/report_frame.cfm?rpt_id=535609

ALL FITCH CREDIT RATINGS ARE SUBJECT TO CERTAIN LIMITATIONS AND DISCLAIMERS. PLEASE READ THESE LIMITATIONS AND DISCLAIMERS BY FOLLOWING THIS LINK: HTTP://FITCHRATINGS.COM/UNDERSTANDINGCREDITRATINGS. IN ADDITION, RATING DEFINITIONS AND THE TERMS OF USE OF SUCH RATINGS ARE AVAILABLE ON THE AGENCY'S PUBLIC WEBSITE 'WWW.FITCHRATINGS.COM'. PUBLISHED RATINGS, CRITERIA AND METHODOLOGIES ARE AVAILABLE FROM THIS SITE AT ALL TIMES. FITCH'S CODE OF CONDUCT, CONFIDENTIALITY, CONFLICTS OF INTEREST, AFFILIATE FIREWALL, COMPLIANCE AND OTHER RELEVANT POLICIES AND PROCEDURES ARE ALSO AVAILABLE FROM THE 'CODE OF CONDUCT' SECTION OF THIS SITE.

Fitch RatingsPrimary AnalystRosalie Chua, +1-312-368-2051Associate DirectorFitch, Inc.70 West MadisonChicago, IL 60602orSecondary AnalystEd Thompson, +1-212-908-0364Senior DirectororCommittee ChairpersonChristopher Wolfe, +1-212-908-0771Managing DirectororMedia Relations:Brian Bertsch, +1-212-908-0549Email: brian.bertsch@fitchratings.com

Source: Fitch Ratings

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- NERA Economic Consulting, a leading global provider of economic advice and analysis in business, legal, and regulatory matters, today announced that Sean Gammons has been promoted to Director and Sébastien Gonnet has been promoted to Vice President.

Mr. Gammons, a London-based member of NERA’s Energy, Environment, and Network Industries Practice, specializes in the economics of electricity and gas markets. His experience spans regulation, competition policy, litigation/arbitration, due diligence, valuation, and risk management cases. He has particular expertise in using computer-based economic models to anticipate market evolution and assess the risk exposure and performance of energy assets, covering production, networks, trading, and retail. Much of his recent work has focused on the effects of environmental regulation on energy markets. Mr. Gammons received his MSc in economics from University College, London, and his BA from St. Catherine’s College, Oxford.

Mr. Gonnet is a member of NERA’s Transfer Pricing Practice based in Beijing and Shanghai. He specializes in the areas of transfer pricing, intellectual property, and valuation. In recent years, Mr. Gonnet has been closely involved with projects for multinationals in China and Europe in a range of industries, including pharmaceuticals, retail, luxury, food and beverage, telecommunications, chemicals, commodities, and software. He also acts as an expert economist in advance pricing agreements and tax audits in China and Europe. Mr. Gonnet has published numerous articles for transfer pricing publications, is a regular speaker at conferences in China and Europe, and has been ranked as one of the "World's Leading Transfer Pricing Advisers." Mr. Gonnet holds a Master of Science in Management from HEC, Paris (Ecole des Hautes Etudes Commerciales) and a Master of Science in International Taxation from Paris II Law University.

About NERA

NERA Economic Consulting (www.nera.com) is a global firm of experts dedicated to applying economic, finance, and quantitative principles to complex business and legal challenges. For half a century, NERA's economists have been creating strategies, studies, reports, expert testimony, and policy recommendations for government authorities and the world’s leading law firms and corporations. We bring academic rigor, objectivity, and real world industry experience to bear on issues arising from competition, regulation, public policy, strategy, finance, and litigation.

NERA's clients value our ability to apply and communicate state-of-the-art approaches clearly and convincingly, our commitment to deliver unbiased findings, and our reputation for quality and independence. Our clients rely on the integrity and skills of our unparalleled team of economists and other experts backed by the resources and reliability of one of the world's largest economic consultancies. With its main office in New York City, NERA serves clients from more than 20 offices across North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific.

NERA Economic ConsultingBenjamin Seggerson, +1 202-466-9232Public Relations Managerben.seggerson@nera.com

Source: NERA Economic Consulting

SALT LAKE CITY, UT -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 02/09/12 -- MGIS Underwriting Managers Inc. (MGIS) today announced the appointment of Molly L. Farrell as vice president of operations. Farrell brings decades of industry experience and expertise to this new role that will be key in further accelerating the company's growth in the medical-professional liability insurance segment nationwide.

"With more than 25 years of executive experience in leading teams of medical-professional liability professionals, Molly will play an integral part in moving our business into the next stage of growth," said Jeff Brunken, president of The MGIS Companies. "Her years of proven experience in driving growth through a customer-first foundation are a perfect match with our company's legacy and vision for accelerating the medical-professional liability program with Freedom Specialty Insurance Company."

Farrell's leadership and management experience includes training and growing teams of medical-professional liability professionals and operations departments with a variety of major insurance carriers. Her ability to work strategically with brokers and underwriters has proven to be especially effective in growing business in an unpredictable medical malpractice marketplace.

Prior to joining MGIS, she served as vice president of sales at NORCAL Insurance Company and as vice president of NAS Insurance Services, and she held various underwriting and claims management roles for The Doctors Company. In addition, Farrell is an experienced medical-professional liability broker, underwriting consultant, and operations consultant.

Farrell will oversee underwriting and policyholder services, coverage offerings and customer satisfaction. "Our focus on selling through brokers gets an additional boost with Molly's experience in that area," said Elke Kirsten-Brauer, executive vice president and chief underwriting officer of MGIS Underwriting Managers. "Her leadership helps round out our growing depth of top-notch executive talent."

More information about MGIS can be found at www.mgis.com.

About MGIS Underwriting Managers MGIS Underwriting Managers Inc. provides specialty medical-professional liability underwriting and administration services in select states. MGIS is a wholly owned subsidiary of The MGIS Companies, whose various operating companies provide specialized group disability insurance and medical-professional liability insurance. With a rich tradition of service excellence, MGIS works hand-in-hand with local brokers and benefit advisors and has served more than 8,000 physician groups, 800,000 group members, and 135,000 physicians since 1969.

Contact:
Mark Dayton
MGIS
1-800-969-6447, ext. 154
Email Contact

Source: MGIS

GUELPH, ONTARIO -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 02/09/12 -- While Sidney Crosby's health has been a daily drama for sports fans over the past year, fresh hope of his return to hockey's main stage has surfaced with his new diagnosis of a treatable, soft tissue neck injury. One innovative Canadian physiotherapy clinic is not at all surprised by this new diagnosis, and expects that with appropriate treatment, Crosby should be back in the game quickly.

Terry Moore, a Guelph-based Cardiovascular and Neuromuscular Physiologist states, "While it is unfortunate that it took a year to reach diagnosis, I am pleased that the neurologist in California recognized the soft tissue injury in Sidney Crosby's upper neck. I hope that he will soon be back in the game. As I have treated concussions for over 15 years, I have found that 100% of the individuals treated do have soft tissue injuries in the neck. I therefore feel that there should always be an assessment of the neck to investigate soft tissue (muscular) components."

The multi-disciplinary, soft-tissue based treatment at Guelph's MMTR Health clinic has seen consistent success in dealing with post-concussion symptoms (PCS) similar to Crosby's. "Based on our clinical research over the years working with PCS patients we have been able to delineate specifically which neck muscles are causing which symptoms. In fact, I have found that specific muscles are responsible for many of the symptoms attributed to a concussion" says Moore. "This allows us to individualize each patient's treatment and focus on what specifically is causing their symptoms."

While post-concussion patients aren't immediately out for 5 km runs, says MMTR Health's Clinical Director and physiotherapist Jared Eidt, the clinic's treatments allow them to begin with-and respond to-gentle and mild stretches a lot quicker than traditional treatments, leading to a more rapid recovery and return to work related and sport specific activities.

Eidt says he was shocked by the results they were getting in treating soft-tissue injuries for post-concussion symptoms. In his undergrad studies, working with varsity teams and athletes dealing with concussions, Eidt noted that many athletes had to wait months until their symptoms were gone before getting back into action.

Addressing the multiple concussions sustained by many amateur and professional athletes, Moore advises, "Obviously, the neck muscles are part of what absorb some of the impact to the head. If there are repeated concussions or even minor neck injuries that are not properly treated, the neck muscles cannot absorb as much of the forces being inflicted upon the head and brain, causing more severe symptoms." However, he believes that there is hope for afflicted athletes. "If the muscles are addressed, the concussion symptoms do not result in a cumulative effect and recovery is very rapid."

"The same would be true if the neck muscles were properly prepared as a means of reducing all soft tissue injuries. There should definitely be a standard protocol for all competitive athletes so as to minimize the effect of head and neck injuries," asserts Moore. "While there are improved helmets on the market which I highly recommend, athletes will still sustain neck injuries due to the nature of sports."

Terry Moore, B.Sc., M.Sc., PhD (ABD) and Jared Eidt, BSc. (Hon) HK, MSc. PT, MCPA are available for interview.

About MMTR Health Inc.

MMTR Health Inc. (www.mmtr.ca) is a specialized clinic, which is redefining physiotherapy treatment through innovative technology and compassionate care. Clinic staff provides enhanced rehabilitation and performance outcomes using the unique and proprietary MyoWorx® treatment system.

Contacts:
For more information or interviews, contact
Ellen Graf-Martin
519.342.3703 ext. 1
ellen@grafmartin.com

Source: MMTR Health Inc.