Ohio-Based Park National Bank and Park National Corporation Not Affiliated With Chicago-Based...

Ohio-Based Park National Bank and Park National Corporation Not Affiliated With
Chicago-Based Park National Bank

NEWARK, Ohio, Nov. 2, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Park National Corporation (Park)
(NYSE Amex:PRK) clarified today that it has no relationship with a failed bank
of the same name in Illinois. Park subsidiary The Park National Bank is based in
Newark, Ohio and operates 132 offices throughout several counties in Ohio (plus
one office in Northern Kentucky). It is in no way affiliated with a
Chicago-based bank of the same name that was recently closed in a deal with the
FDIC and U.S. Bank, NA, of Minneapolis, Minnesota, a wholly-owned subsidiary of
U.S. Bancorp. The closed bank was part of a group of nine failed banks owned by
FBOP Corporation, Oak Park, Illinois.

Park announced the clarification today to prevent confusion among its clientele
and shareholders. At least one internet search engine has mistakenly connected
the failed company's news to Park's financial information Web pages.

Park and The Park National Bank consistently report strong financial
performance, including record earnings for The Park National Bank in first nine
months of 2009. Park exceeds the industry requirements to qualify as well
capitalized. Park's financial performance currently ranks above the 80th
percentile for its peer group (banking companies with $3 to $10 billion in
assets). Additionally, Park continues to pay steady dividends to shareholders.
The Park National Bank, headquartered in Newark, Ohio, is 101 years old and the
top community bank based in Central Ohio. Also, its banking divisions are very
strong and several are leading financial institutions in their respective
markets.

Total assets for Park were $7.0 billion as of September 30, 2009. Headquartered
in Newark, Ohio, Park consists of 13 community bank divisions and two specialty
finance companies. Park's Ohio-based banking operations are conducted through
Park subsidiary The Park National Bank and its divisions which include Fairfield
National Bank, Richland Bank, Century National Bank, First-Knox National Bank,
Farmers and Savings Bank, United Bank, Second National Bank, Security National
Bank, Unity National Bank and The Park National Bank of Southwest Ohio &
Northern Kentucky. Park's other banking subsidiary is Vision Bank (headquartered
in Panama City, Florida), and its Vision Bank Division (of Gulf Shores,
Alabama). Park also includes Scope Leasing, Inc. (d.b.a. Scope Aircraft Finance)
and Guardian Finance Company.

For more information about Park and its strength, as well as about the closing
of the other institution, visit www.fdic.gov.

-0-
CONTACT: Park National Corporation
Media Contacts:
Bethany Lewis, Communications Specialist
740.349.0421
blewis@parknationalbank.com
John Kozak, CFO
740.349.3792
jkozak@parknationalbank.com