Citizens South Bank Receives 29th Consecutive 5-Star Rating For Financial Strength

GASTONIA, N.C., June 8, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Citizens South Bank has been awarded its 29 ^th consecutive 5-Star Superior rating for financial strength and stability from BauerFinancial, Inc.,of Coral Gables, Florida. BauerFinancial, Inc., which is the nation's leading independent bank and credit union rating and research firm, has been reporting on and analyzing the performance of U.S. banks and credit unions since 1983. A rating of 5-Stars is the highest rating attainable from BauerFinancial and is based on the overall financial picture of the institution.

Earning a 5-Star rating indicates that Citizens South Bank is one of the strongest banks in the nation. In fact, this is the 29th consecutive quarter that Citizens South Bank has earned this highest honor. 

Established in 1904, Citizens South Bank has been serving the banking needs of its neighbors and friends for 105 years. Following its FDIC-assisted acquisition of the Bank of Hiawassee in Hiawassee, Georgia, on March 19, 2010, Citizens South Bank operates through 21 conveniently located offices – 15 in Gaston, Union, Iredell, Mecklenburg and Rowan counties in North Carolina, one in Rock Hill, South Carolina, and 5 in Towns, Union, and Fannin counties in northern Georgia. Citizens South Bank can also be found on the internet at www.citizenssouth.com.

No institution pays for its rating nor can it be excluded from the rating process. Consumers may obtain star-ratings of financial institutions by visiting www.bauerfinancial.com .

 The Citizens South Banking Corporation logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=7099

CONTACT:  Citizens South Banking Corporation
          Kim S. Price, President & CEO
          [phone]
          [e-mail]
          www.citizenssouth.com

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