Public Invited to Grand Opening After Party at Avon Banking Center
on Thursday, February 21, 2008 from 5:00-7:00 pm

AVON, Ind. — Members of the public are invited to the Grand Opening After Party for Monroe Bank’s new Avon Banking Center on Thursday, February 21, 2008 from 5:00- 7:00 p.m. The new banking center is located in front of Wal-Mart and Hobby Lobby at 9720 E. US Hwy 36 in Avon. Those who would like to attend should RSVP by calling (317) 272-7820 or by sending an email to rsvp@monroebank.com.

Comments Monroe Bank’s Central Indiana President, John Christy: “The new Plainfield and Avon Banking Centers, which opened in December 2007 and January 2008 respectively, stand testimony to Monroe Bank’s transition from less visible, limited service branches in Hendricks County to more visible, strategically located full-service banking centers featuring ATMs and drive-through tellers. The opening of the full-service banking center in Brownsburg in January 2006 marked the start of the Bank’s strategic rollout in Central Indiana. Our plan to attract loans, deposits and build name recognition has been successful in Brownsburg with the Brownsburg banking center’s deposits growing 121.5 percent over a two-year period. We hope to repeat this success in Avon and Plainfield.”

The opening of three full-service facilities in Hendricks County reflects Monroe Bank’s expansion into central Indiana markets. “Monroe Bank was founded in 1892 and with a history that spans more than 100 years, we plan on being a leading community bank in Indiana. We are also moving into Hamilton County and expecting to open a full-service banking center in Noblesville during the fall of 2008,” says Christy.

In addition to a brief ribbon cutting to officially open the Avon banking center, reception activities include door prize drawings for a Garmin Navigation System, a $150 Saks Fifth Avenue gift card and a Tiffany’s necklace. Guests can enjoy hors d’oeuvres and cocktails while networking and listening to the live music of Indianapolis harpist, Elizabeth O’Meara Ahlgrim. Guests can also enter a grand opening door prize drawing for an ever-popular Nintendo wii. The drawing for the Nintendo wii will take place on Tuesday, March 26.

Over the past couple of weeks, households in the proximity of the Avon and Plainfield banking centers have been receiving keys in a six-week direct mail promotion Monroe Bank is running until the end of March. Adds Christy: “The Avon Grand Opening After Party is a perfect time for Avon residents who already have received their keys to bring them to the banking center to try and unlock the padlocks on the Avon treasure chests. One lucky person has the key that will win the 42’’ HD Flat Screen TV, three people have keys that will win iPod Nanos and ten people have keys that will win DVD players! Those Avon residents who haven’t received a key yet should come to the party to try one!” The same promotion is being run at the Monroe Bank Plainfield Banking Center and Plainfield residents should take their keys to the Plainfield Banking Center to try the treasure chests there. These sweepstakes promotions are open to all and residents do not have to be a customer of Monroe Bank to enter nor is any purchase necessary to win a prize.

Monroe Bancorp, headquartered in Bloomington, Indiana, is an Indiana bank holding company with Monroe Bank as its wholly owned subsidiary. Monroe Bank was established in Bloomington in 1892 and offers a full range of financial, trust and investment services through its 17 offices in Central and South Central Indiana. The Company's common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Stock Market under the symbol MROE.