TRAVERSE CITY, MICH, Jan. 21, 2009 - Northwestern Bank has announced the promotion of Zane Carter to financial advisor. Zane joins Ryan Sterkenburg and Tom Webb, to provide investment products and services in the Charlevoix, Emmet and Otsego County area.

Zane has been with Northwestern for three years and brings more than 15 years of financial services experience to his new position, both as a financial advisor and a commercial lender. A graduate of Eastern Michigan University, Zane holds FINRA Series 7 and 66 licenses and can sell stocks, bonds and mutual funds.

Northwestern Bank was chartered in 1955 and is now the largest independent community bank in northern Michigan. A well-capitalized financial institution with $800 million in assets, the bank is one of the leading mortgage, consumer, and commercial lenders in the region. Based in Traverse City, Northwestern Bank offers complete banking, investment and trust, and employee benefit services from 27 offices throughout northern lower Michigan. Northwestern is well-known for its "I can do that!" approach to service, which empowers its people to make decisions on the spot to meet customer needs and exceed their expectations.

For further information, call (231) 547-1287 or e-mail zcarter@nwbank.com.