BOSTON, MA. - October 28, 2008 - Wainwright Bank (NASDAQ: "WAIN") last night awarded its 20th annual Wainwright Bank Social Justice Award to Ceres and its President, Mindy Lubber.

Ceres is a groundbreaking public interest group catalyzing U.S. companies and investors to respond to critical sustainability challenges such as global warming. The Ceres network is comprised of some of the world's largest institutional investors, leading Fortune 500 companies and environmental organizations who share a concern for the planet's future and understanding that meeting sustainability challenges of the 21st century is both good public policy and good business. Ceres advances its vision by bringing its stakeholders together to encourage companies and capital markets to incorporate environmental and social challenges into their day-to-day decision-making.

Mindy Lubber was a founding board member of Ceres in 1989 and became its President in 2003. As President she directs the Investor Network on Climate Risk, a network of 70 institutional investors with collective assets totaling $7 trillion focused on the business impacts from climate change. Ms. Lubber was also the Founder, President and CEO of Green Century Capital Management, an investment firm managing environmentally screened mutual funds, and the recipient of the Skoll Social Entrepreneur Award.

"Under Mindy's leadership, Ceres has made enormous strides in aligning business strategies with sustainable solutions to protect the planet. "We add our voice in acknowledging the important work she and her organization does," said Wainwright Bank Co-founder and Co-chairman, Robert Glassman upon presenting the award.

Wainwright Bank created the Social Justice Award to recognize nonprofits and affiliated individuals who have achieved outstanding success in addressing issues of social justice. The Award is accompanied by a $10,000 donation and was presented during the Bank's annual customer appreciation event attended by over 500 people at the Boston Park Plaza Hotel.

With $1 billion in assets and 12 branches throughout Greater Boston, Wainwright Bank is widely recognized as the country’s leading socially progressive bank. It has committed over $700 million in loans to socially responsible development projects including affordable housing, environmental protection, HIV/AIDS services, homeless shelters, immigration services and more. The Bank was named the "ultimate high-purpose company" in a recently published book by award-winning author, Christine Arena, entitled "The High-Purpose Company: The Truly Responsible (and Highly Profitable) Firms That Are Changing Business Now."

Wainwright Bank & Trust Company

Wainwright Bank & Trust Company

Wainwright is a leading socially progressive commercial bank with over $1 billion in assets primarily serving consumers, businesses and nonprofits with 12 branches throughout Greater Boston. Over 50% of the Bank's commercial loan portfolio is committed to community development initiatives including affordable housing, homeless shelters, HIV/AIDS services, food banks, community health centers, inner-city schools and environmental protection to name a few. The bank has provided over $700 million in these types of loans since its founding in 1987. Wainwright's commitment to supporting social justice issues has been widely recognized including being named one of the 11 Best Lenders to Women in the U.S. and one of the Top 20 Sustainable Stocks in the world.

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