Northern Star Financial, Inc. Announces Agreement With Corporate Merchant Services, Inc.

Northern Star Financial, Inc. (OTCBB: NSBK) Northern Star Financial, Inc., the parent company of Northern Star Bank, the Company announced today that it has entered into a agreement with Corporate Merchant Services Inc. who has tendered an offer to acquire fifty-one percent of Northern Star Financial, Inc. (the “Company”). Terms of the deal were not disclosed. The offer is subject to regulatory approval.

Northern Star’s President and Chief Executive Officer, Thomas Stienessen said the proceeds from the offering will be used to fund internal growth at the Company's banking subsidiary, Northern Star Bank. "We are very pleased to have reached this agreement", Stienessen said. “We believe the organization will benefit from expanded services and a more diversified stream of revenue as well as from the managerial resources, clients, products, services and capital the CMS investment brings.”

"We are very excited about the opportunity with Northern Star," said John Gerena, the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Corporate Merchant Services. "We look forward to becoming part of Northern Star Financial, Inc. We believe the investment provides us to the opportunity to grow together while benefiting our clients, and shareholders. This is a natural fit for both companies and will help us contribute to the bank's capital, growth and earnings and raise the bank’s and CMS’ visibility in the marketplace with an expanded menu of products and services.”

Corporate Merchant Services, Inc. is engaged in the business of electronic payment processing which includes: processing and settlement of credit cards, debit cards, gift cards & check transactions. This is also known as “Merchant Services”, which includes the deployment of equipment and technology software for processing of cards and check transactions. The Company’s focus is on low risk, high growth markets such as: Supermarkets, Restaurants, Medical Offices, Internet, Gas Stations, Convenience Stores, Hotels, Motels, Resorts, Franchises and Small to Medium Size Business.