Wheatland Bank adds brokerage, financial planning

Wheatland Bank, a locally owned 5-Star bank, is proud to announce the addition of Wheatland Wealth Management, a full-service brokerage and financial planning division of Wheatland Bank offering services throughout Investment Centers of America (ICA), to the Bank’s array of comprehensive business and consumer banking services. Customers of Wheatland Bank, which currently operates 13 branches through eastern and central Washington, will now have access to a wide array of financial products and services, including needs-based financial planning for individuals and businesses. Through the relationship with ICA, Wheatland Wealth Management can offer the following services: managed advisory services, mutual funds, stocks, fixed income/bonds, annuities and insurance. “We will now be able to advise customers in-house on investment and brokerage services, strategic and succession planning, estate and family wealth transition planning, and much more. By having financial advisors working together with our local bankers to help fulfill customer needs, we believe we will strengthen our relationships with them,” said Susan M. Horton, president and CEO of Wheatland Bank. “Whether they are a small business owner in need of assistance with the development of their succession plan and transfer of wealth or an individual in need of assistance with building wealth and planning for their retirement, our Wheatland Wealth Management team is well tooled to customize a plan that will be specific to them, their long term goals and their individual risk tolerance.” The Wheatland Wealth Management team at Wheatland Bank will be led by Dale Cloninger, a well-known and experienced local financial advisor, with an extensive career in the financial services industry serving clients throughout eastern and central Washington. The Bank will be hiring more financial advisors and plans to have advisors in several of its local branches throughout eastern and central Washington. The broker-dealer selected on this new endeavor is Investment Centers of America, Inc. (ICA). Based in Bismarck, North Dakota, ICA, member FINRA/SIPC, is a full-service broker-dealer and Registered Investment Advisor firm, and part of National Planning Holdings, Inc. (NPH), one of the nation’s largest broker-dealer networks. ICA is also affiliated with Jackson National Life Insurance – one of America’s largest life insurance companies. “Keys to my decision to join Wheatland Wealth Management were both the proven strength and excellent reputation of Wheatland Bank, as well as the deep resources of Investment Centers of America,” said Dale Cloninger, financial advisor with Wheatland Wealth Management. "These two differentiating factors will give all Wheatland Wealth Management clients a sophisticated financial planning experience normally reserved in the industry for only the wealthiest individuals and institutional investors.

About Wheatland Bank

Wheatland Bank, formed in 1979 in Davenport, Washington, is a locally-owned independent community bank. Wheatland Bank’s commitment to eastern and central Washington is strong and has deep roots. It’s a commitment that is kept alive with powerful local ownership and decision making. In the 34 years since inception, Wheatland Bank has grown to 13 branches throughout Adams, Douglas, Grant, Kittitas, Lincoln, Spokane and Yakima Counties and over 14,000 customers. Wheatland Bank focuses on helping businesses, farmers and consumers succeed by offering the highest quality personalized banking relationships and services. Wheatland Bank is a value-oriented financial services provider dedicated to serving the needs of its customers, communities and employees while enhancing shareholder value. That dedication, coupled with the fiscal responsibility of Wheatland Bank’s Board of Directors and senior management team, have been awarded distinct recognition with a 5-Star Superior rating by BauerFinancial, Inc. for the past six consecutive years, even through the worst financial crisis in our industry, and the acknowledgement that Wheatland Bank is one of the strongest banks in the nation. Investment Centers of America, Inc. (ICA), member FINRA/SIPC and a Registered Investment Advisor, is not affiliated with Wheatland Bank or Wheatland Wealth Management. Securities, advisory services and insurance products offered through ICA and affiliated insurance agencies are

· not insured by the FDIC or any other Federal Government agency,

· not a deposit or other obligation of, or guaranteed by any bank or their affiliates,

· subject to risks including the possible loss of principal amount invested.