WASHINGTON, DC--(Marketwire - December 20, 2010) - The American Association of Bank Directors ("AABD") announced today that it has named Andrew L. Sandler to its Board of Advisors.

Mr. Sandler has had a distinguished career in banking law. He currently serves as Co-Chairman of BuckleySandler LLP, a leading law firm representing the interests of the financial services industry and as CEO of Treliant Risk Advisors, a compliance and risk management advisory firm focused on the financial services industry. A recognized leader in financial services enforcement and litigation, Mr. Sandler is a strategic legal advisor to many leading financial services companies. He represents banks and bank officers and directors in a wide range of regulatory examinations and civil and criminal investigations by federal and state enforcement and bank regulatory agencies.

Mr. Sandler is recognized in Chambers USA 2010 America's Leading Lawyers for Business in the areas of Financial Services Regulatory Bank Enforcement and Investigation, and Consumer Financial Compliance, and by Best Lawyers in America (2010-2011). He has also been named one of Washington D.C.'s Top Financial Services Lawyers by Washingtonian Magazine and as a Legal Visionary by the National Law Journal.  Mr. Sandler is a frequent speaker and author on current public policy and regulatory issues confronting the financial services industry. He received his law degree from the University of Pennsylvania Law School and holds an MBA from the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School.

"Andy brings to AABD a wealth of practical experience and expertise in bank enforcement and compliance issues," Charles Thayer, Chairman of AABD, said. "During this unsettling period where the federal banking agencies, the SEC, the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection, the Department of Justice and others ratchet up their enforcement and compliance efforts, Andy's extraordinary background, judgment and insight will be invaluable to AABD, its members, and policy-makers in the Executive Branch, the U.S. Congress, and the federal and state banking agencies."

Founded in 1989, the non-profit American Association of Bank Directors is the only trade group in the United States solely devoted to bank directors and their information, education, and advocacy needs. AABD recently established the Bank Director Liability Resource Center, which acts as a clearinghouse for developments in bank director liability, including lawsuits by FDIC against directors of failed banks and savings institutions. Visit AABD online at: http://www.aabd.org.

Contact Information:

CONTACT:
SUSAN E. JACOBSEN
202.251.8184