(Bangor, PA) Merchants Bank recently contributed the first of two $5,000.00 checks to The Blue and White Scholastic Foundation, Inc.  Richard M. Hotchkiss, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Merchants Bank, and Anthony J. Biondi, Chief Executive Officer and Director of Merchants, presented the check to David J. Ceraul, Esquire, member and former President of the Foundation, Rev. Patrick Lamb, President of Pius X High School, and James Angeline, Principal of Pius X.   This is the fourth multi-year $10,000.00 pledge that locally owned Merchants Bank has made to the Foundation.

The Blue and White Scholastic Foundation, Inc. is an organization established to help students who attend, and those who wish to attend, Pius X High School and the two elementary schools associated with Pius X, Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Roseto and Immaculate Conception School in Pen Argyl.

“Investing in the Pius X scholarship program is like investing in our community’s future,” said Anthony J. Biondi, CEO and Director of Merchants Bank.  “Pius X has established a standard of teaching excellence for the benefit of our young men and women who will be tomorrow’s community leaders,” added Biondi.
                                                                        
“The Blue and White Scholastic Foundation greatly appreciates Merchants Bank’s seven years of participation in the State's Tuition Tax Credit Program,” commented Attorney Ceraul. “ We hope that Merchants  will continue to support this program, since it enables families, who might otherwise be unable to afford to do so, to send their children to our private schools. Merchants Bank is truly a valuable member of the Slate Belt business community,” he added.

Established in 1890, Merchants Bank is a locally owned and operated community bank.  Headquartered in Bangor, PA, MNB has two branch offices in Bangor and additional offices throughout the Lehigh Valley, including Mount Bethel, Wind Gap, Martins Creek, Forks Township, Nazareth, Redner’s Warehouse Markets in Northampton and a Business Center in Easton, PA.  MNB Investment Services is a division of the Bank and offers investment and wealth management financial services.  In June 2005, Merchants Bank received the Bernard J. Metz Entrepreneurial Spirit Award by the Two Rivers Area Chamber of Commerce in recognition for the Bank’s entrepreneurial accomplishment and community service in the Two Rivers area.  The Bank’s website can be accessed at www.merchantsbangor.com.