GAYLORD, MICH., August 13, 2009 - Northwestern Bank, the largest independent community bank in northern Michigan, has announced the hiring of Terri Sorenson as a mortgage loan officer at the bank's downtown Gaylord office.

Terri has over thirty years of experience in the financial services industry, including ten years of mortgage lending experience. Her responsibilities will include new and refinanced home mortgages and construction loan origination. Northwestern Bank now employs more than 50 mortgage team members in 27 offices.

Northwestern Bank was chartered in 1955 and is now the largest independent community bank in northern Michigan. A growing financial institution with over $875 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 (989) 732-2442 or e-mail tsorenson@nwbank.com.