URBAN FINANCIAL SERVICES COALITION HONORS INDUSTRY LEADERS AT 25TH ANNUAL DINNER

New York, NY - The Urban Financial Services Coalition - New York Chapter (UFSC-NY) has announced that its 25th Annual Awards and Scholarship Dinner will be held on Thursday, April 27, 2006 - 6:00 p.m., at the New York Hilton, 1335 Avenues of the Americas (at 54th Street), New York.

This year's honorees include: Financial Services Institution of the Year - CIT Group; Financial Services Executive of the Year - Maurice L. Coleman, Senior Vice President, Bank of America; Diversity Champion of the Year - Ted Childs, Vice President, IBM; Diversity Champion of the Year - Deborah Elam, Vice President, General Electric; Hume B. Smith Award - Albert Garland, Vice President, CIT Commercial Services; UFSC-New York Member of the Year - Jennifer D. Davis, Assistant Treasurer, The Bank of New York. The Mistress of Ceremonies will be Shon Gables, CBS. The Key Note Speaker will be Dr. Dennis Kimbro, Author of Think and Grow Rich. The theme for this year's event is "Dare to be Remarkable".

UFSC-NY President, Anita L. Pierce spoke passionately about the significance of this year's Awards Dinner as the organization celebrates its 35th year. This event will honor business and community leaders for their outstanding contributions. In addition to honoring business and community leaders, over twenty young people will be awarded scholarships for their academic excellence. "Dare to be Remarkable, challenges our members, honorees, and scholarship recipients to step out of their comfort zone and reach for their highest potential," Pierce said. "Our honorees for this year have spent their entire careers doing remarkable things that have set them unique. We are proud of the significant number of scholarships, which we are able to give out each year. We are truly the preeminent financial services trade organization in the tri-state area," continued Pierce.

UFSC-NY formerly the Urban Bankers Coalition was established in New York City in 1971. Prior to its founding, minority-banking professionals had organized local banking groups to meet needs bypassed by existing national banking associations. When bankers from different parts of the country began to discover the value of information sharing among associates from city to city, they organized local chapters into a national network under the umbrella of the National Association of Urban Bankers. Over the years, UFSC-NY has grown and changed to meet the needs of the dynamic industry it serves. It has become an all-encompassing association for individuals in the financial services industry.

UFSC-NY promotes personal and professional growth of its members as well as collectively articulating concerns and marshaling resources to improve the economic development of communities that are often under-served by majority-owned institutions. The underlying goals and objectives include fostering the interests and expanding the numbers of minorities in financial services; increasing community service activities in low-income communities; enhancing scholarship programs for minority youth in pursuit of financial services careers; and cultivating a premiere job bank of experienced minority financial services professionals.

"The Annual Awards & Scholarship Benefit Dinner is UFSC-NY's main fundraiser and it allows us to recognize individuals and businesses that have made significant contributions to the financial services industry and the community at large. It also allows us to recognize and support promising high school and college students through our scholarship program where we award tens of thousands of dollars in scholarships annually," said Pierce. This year through its foundation, Urban Bankers Coalition Foundation, UFSC-NY will award $50,000 in scholarships to students who dare to be remarkable.

In addition to its many professional endeavors, UFSC-NY is committed to presenting positive influences for tomorrow's business leaders. Its efforts in this area include the development of mentoring relationships with several area high schools, addressing students during career days and serving as panelists at various college forums.

For all inquiries including Awards Dinner tickets, contact UFSC-NY at (212) 621-7727 or visit www.ufscny.org