UMBF UMB Financial Corporation

With the overwhelming daily attention to the challenges of today�s economy, apprehension and uncertainty is influencing consumer confidence. From gas pump to grocery aisle, consumer pocketbooks continue to feel the strain of tighter economic conditions. Yet another indication of financial pressures is portrayed in a recent USA Today article that states home equity lines of credit (HELOC) delinquencies have hit an 11-year high. Although this may appear alarming, there are also many homeowners with strong banking relationships who do not, and will not, fall into this category. Sound planning and education conducted before entering into a HELOC play an integral part in this as well as continuing loan evaluation. A reliable and trusted banking partner can help homeowners avoid financial pitfalls. �As the industry continues to experience increases in loan charge-offs, researching your financial institutions� safety and soundness is essential to ensuring you and your investments are not at risk,� UMB executive vice president of Consumer Services Brad Smith said. �There are banks, like UMB, that are not dealing with problem loans because of high credit standards and abiding by a policy that protects customer�s best interest and properly qualifies them.� As with any loan product, consumers should consistently examine short- and long-term responsibilities, and determine whether or not they can comfortably manage these in all economic times. With help from responsible financial advisors, this process can be accurately analyzed and explained with confidence. �Our time-tested, proven approach of maintaining the consumer�s best interest not only mitigates their risk, but ours as well,� Smith said. �Taking a variety of factors into consideration, we may not advise every client that is interested in taking out a HELOC to do so. This approach has proven successful as we have zero HELOC defaults and have seen no increase in delinquencies; in actuality, we have experienced an increase in customers seeking our financial assistance.� About UMB UMB Financial Corporation (NASDAQ: UMBF) is a multi-bank holding company headquartered in Kansas City, Mo., offering complete banking, asset management, health spending solutions and related financial services to both individual and business customers nationwide. Its banking subsidiaries own and operate 135 banking centers throughout Missouri, Illinois, Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, Nebraska and Arizona. Subsidiaries of the holding company and the lead bank, UMB Bank, n.a., include an investment services group based in Milwaukee, Wis., single-purpose companies that deal with brokerage services and insurance, and registered investment advisors for proprietary mutual funds.