The OTS Approves Taylor, Bean & Whitaker Mortgage Corp.’s Controlling Interest in Platinum Bancshares, Inc.

ROLLING MEADOWS, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--After receiving approval by the Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS), in late June, Taylor, Bean & Whitaker Mortgage Corp. (TB&W) acquired a controlling interest in Platinum Bancshares, Inc. on July 9, 2008.

William Leaming, the CEO of Platinum Community Bank, commented, “We are excited about the resources that TB&W will provide to Platinum. They are one of the premier national players in the prime residential mortgage arena. The transaction will allow Platinum to diversify the products and services that it offers.”

“Platinum Community Bank is an opportunity for TB&W to participate in the community bank process and essentially pilot the offerings we ask our community bank customers to adopt, said Lee Farkas, chairman of TB&W. The infusion of technology, resources and strength allows Platinum to offer more to their customers.”

About Platinum Bancshares, Inc.:

Platinum Bancshares, Inc. is a savings and loan holding company and is the parent holding company for Platinum Community Bank, a federally chartered savings association having $90 million in assets, with its main and only office located in Rolling Meadows, Illinois. Its loan activities are concentrated primarily in the Chicago metropolitan area and consist of one-to-four-family residential mortgage loans. The bank also originates and participates in commercial real estate and small business loans in the Chicago metropolitan area.

About Taylor, Bean & Whitaker Mortgage Corp.:

Headquartered in Ocala, Florida, TB&W is a privately held mortgage banking firm specializing in the origination and servicing of prime residential mortgage loans. Established in 1982 and privately acquired in 1991, the company has steadily increased its presence to become a full service mortgage banker serving community banks and an extensive network of brokers. The company maintains 18 origination centers throughout the U.S. along with a centralized servicing facility in Ocala, Florida.