Century Bank and FHLB Dallas Award Economic Development Grant to Santa Fe Music Store

SANTA FE, N.M., June 10, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- For 40 years, Strings & Things
has been a gathering place for local musicians in Santa Fe, New Mexico. With the
help of a $25,000 EDP Plus grant from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (FHLB
Dallas) and an advance (loan) from Century Bank, the owners plan to take the
business to a new level.

Strings & Things, now doing business as The Candyman Strings & Things, a
full-line musical instruments store, was recently bought by former General
Manager Rand E. Cook, and his wife, Cindy Cook. The couple will use the EDP Plus
grant to expand the business, picking up 4,000 square feet of space, expanding
into woodwinds and brass winds, and opening a six-studio music education center.
The business also received an Economic Development Program (EDP) loan through
Century Bank.

FHLB Dallas's EDP Plus program operates through member financial institutions on
a noncompetitive, first-come, first-served basis, and offers grant money in
conjunction with a favorably priced loan for the development of local business
in under-served or revitalized areas.

"Century Bank looks at every avenue of funding to maximize our service and
commitment to small businesses," said David Valdez, Vice President Commercial
Lending. "Our partnerships with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas and the
Small Business Administration work on many levels and ultimately stimulate our
local economy by helping small businesses such as (The Candyman) Strings &
Things. It was our pleasure to work with everyone involved."

Mr. Cook says the EDP Plus grant has given the expanding business some breathing
room.

"Essentially from the beginning, the grant gave us some peace of mind," Mr. Cook
said. "The bank account was padded so we didn't have to be real worried about
how much money was coming through the door. That has allowed us to start
planning for our expansion in our future home."

The business is planning a 40th anniversary celebration and grand reopening in
September, at which time it plans to unveil a small coffee shop and community
space.

"Taking the business model to the next level centers around community activity,"
Mr. Cook said. "Music stores are a natural hangout. We wanted to really
capitalize on that concept, and create a space where artists can share musical
war stories and have a cup of coffee. The education side and community side are
coming together."

About Century Bank

Established in 1887, Century Bank is a locally owned community bank that offers
a full range of quality banking products and services to businesses and
residents of New Mexico. For more information, visit the bank's web site at
centurynetbank.com.

About Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas

The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas is one of 12 district banks in the FHLBank
System created by Congress in 1932. FHLB Dallas, with total assets of $68.7
billion as of March 31, 2009, is a member-owned cooperative that supports
housing and community development by providing competitively priced loans and
other credit products to more than 900 members and associated institutions in
Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico and Texas. For more information,
visit FHLB Dallas's web site at fhlb.com.

The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas logo is available at
http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=3013

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CONTACT: Century Bank
David Valdez, VP Commercial Lending
(505) 995-1200
www.centurynetbank.com

Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas
Corporate Communications
(214) 441-8445
www.fhlb.com