STATE COLLEGE, Pa., Nov. 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Executives of Omega
Financial Corporation (Nasdaq: OMEF) presided over the NASDAQ Market Open on
November 9.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20041129/CLM037 )
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/19990921/OMFCLOGO )
David B. Lee, Omega's chairman and chief executive officer, was joined by
Donita R. Koval, the company's president and chief operating officer, and
other company officials in opening the session of NASDAQ, the largest U.S.
electronic stock market. With approximately 3,300 companies, it lists more
companies and, on average, trades more shares per day than any other U.S.
market.
The NASDAQ tower, located in Times Square in New York City, is the largest
stationary video screen in the world, standing seven stories tall, and
presents market information throughout the day. Omega Financial's logo and
market information, as well as David Lee's Market Open signature were being
displayed on the tower screen during the Open Ceremony.
The event was carried on CNBC, CNN, CNNFN, CNN Headline News, Fox News,
Bloomberg, Bloomberg Brazil and KTVU. Photographs can be viewed online at
NASDAQ.com, under the section entitled At Market Site.
In his remarks prior to the Market Open ceremony, Lee stated that Omega
Financial, which has been listed on NASDAQ since April 1992, has just
significantly broadened its customer base with the completion of the
acquisition of SunBancorp of Lewisburg. That transaction, Lee noted, gave
Omega Bank, the company's principal subsidiary, 67 offices in 14 Pennsylvania
counties.
"When we joined NASDAQ in 1992, our assets were just over 517 million
dollars," Lee said. "Our principal subsidiaries were two small banks --
Peoples National Bank and Russell National Bank. Subsequently, we expanded our
franchise with other acquisitions, and added specialized financial service
companies to form what is now Omega Financial."
"Through the combined heritage of those predecessors," he explained, "we
are part of what the Comptroller of the Currency calls 'a small, select group
of national banks.' Omega Bank holds one of 13 charters still in existence
from 1863, the year the national banking system was founded."
Omega Bank now serves Bedford, Blair, Centre, Clinton, Cumberland,
Dauphin, Juniata, Huntingdon, Luzerne, Lycoming, Mifflin, Northumberland,
Snyder and Union counties.
Noting that Omega would be entering some markets for the first time, Lee
said, "In those areas where the Omega brand represents outstanding customer
service and skilled people, we will continue that tradition. In places where
we are the new bank in town, we plan to earn new business the same way."
NASDAQ is home to category-defining companies that are leaders across all
areas of business including technology, retail, communications, financial
services, transportation, media and biotechnology. NASDAQ is the primary
market for trading NASDAQ-listed stocks. Approximately 54% of NASDAQ-listed
shares traded are reported to NASDAQ systems. Omega Financial Corporation is
traded under the symbol OMEF. Information concerning Omega can be found on
the Corporation's website omegafinancial.com.
SOURCE Omega Financial Corporation