Meadows Bank, Friend To The Small Entrepreneur, Opens First Arizona Location

Community bank features greater loan capacity of $15 million per borrower

PHOENIX, March 25, 2016 /PRNewswire/ — In the wake of the financial crisis, many lending institutions raised the bar impossibly high for small-business owners with big dreams but limited collateral. However, where some see risk, Meadows Bank sees opportunity. Its approach to lending, and looking beyond formulas to the true potential of a new business, has made Meadows Bank the largest community bank, Small Business Administration (SBA) lender in the U.S. This is great news for Arizona entrepreneurs as Meadows Bank opened its first Phoenix branch this January located at 2141 East Camelback Road, Suite 100. In fact, Meadows Bank itself is a small-business success story, which sets the tone of every deal that regional president, David Matthews, makes with his clients. Established in Las Vegas in 2008, Meadows grew quickly from $34 million in loans in 2008 to $466 million in 2015, with a lending capacity of $15 million per borrower. This is significant compared to other community banks, whose ceiling on loans is typically $3 million to $5 million per borrower. Meadows has had an SBA loan production office in Phoenix for five years, but the Camelback branch is its first storefront, full-service location offering deposit and conventional loan products in addition to SBA loan programs. Meadows’ vision is exemplified by the following success stories: Joseph and Suzan Hughes, who dreamed of a day care facility called Smiles for Special Needs for intellectually disabled adults where they would learn about urban farming; Tim Kelley, who dreamed of a chain of Spanish-immersion preschools called Little Big Minds to give toddlers across the city access to early bilingual education. The Meadows team in Phoenix has built a devoted following by working as a true business partner, providing quick responses, guiding their clients through the application process, and staying involved for those crucial early start-up months when a trusted adviser is critical. According to Meadows Bank president and CEO, Arvind Menon, this approach springs from the board of directors’ personal experiences as small-business entrepreneurs. “We think creatively in looking at deals and see market potential that another institution might overlook,” said Menon. “Joseph Hughes is a perfect example of this. His son is intellectually disabled, so he already had a vision of what a truly unique adult day care experience should look like—something that enables them to work the land and learn a skill. Joseph was renting a former doctor’s office, which was an ideal location on two acres of land.” When Joseph and Suzan Hughes came to Meadows Bank, they had been in the building for two years, had made renovations to accommodate their clients’ needs, and were already seeing growth. That was when the building’s owner, an investment company, took advantage of the situation and threatened to sell. “We had so much invested in that property so we had to try and buy it,” said Joseph Hughes. “We needed a bank that would understand our long-term potential and that we didn’t have much collateral.” “We heard about Meadows Bank through word of mouth,” explains Hughes. “The first time we talked to their representative, I knew that we had come to the right place. Being able to buy the property at that time really saved our dream.” This was also the experience of Tim Kelley at Little Big Minds. With the support of Meadows Bank, Kelley has just opened his third location, capitalizing on the trend toward bilingual English to Spanish education. “Meadows has been a champion for us,” said Kelley. “We started with our first location, which was leased from the school district, and within a year, we had a waiting list. I bank at one of the other major banks in town but they weren’t able to respond quickly and efficiently to our desire to grow. Meadows understood the enormous growth potential of the Spanish immersion trend. They also make life easier because their processes are different and they’re not formulaic like the big banks. Working with Meadows, I could see us expanding statewide in the next few years.” “We are hands on so we get to know what our clients vision of success looks like,” said Matthews. “We maintain consistent staff over the years so clients are always dealing with the same person, someone who has the ability to make decisions on the spot.” Arizona has been a goal for Meadows Bank since the bank was first established in Nevada. With owners who live and work in the southwest, the Meadows team understands the Southwestern business climate, regulations and political trade winds. “We’re really not a retail bank,” said Menon. “Our target is business customers who need a go-to source that wants to grow from $2 million today to $15 million in three years. Because of our lending capacity, we’re able to make this kind of difference in a business owner’s short term plan, and have a huge impact on the Phoenix economy.” FACTS Principals: Arvind Menon, President and CEO; Clay Wanta, EVP/Chief Credit Officer; Dave Matthews, Regional President No. 1 504 SBA lender in the U.S. among community banks in volume of dollars lent during fiscal year 2015 Bauer Financial Five-Star Bank. DepositAccounts.com rates Meadows Bank #35 among 200 strongest of all banks in the country —in terms of capital position, loan portfolio and growth. One of only 47 banks rated in its top 200 in two consecutive years. Meadows Bank also provides US Department of Agriculture (USDA) loans—among the top USDA lenders. Specializes in attorney financing, commercial investor lending, franchise lending, and companies that are expanding into other markets. Arizona Facts according to 2015 analysis of Arizona banks done quarterly by the investment banking firm Hovde Group (See attached PDF.): Meadows Bank is ranked No. 1 in terms of profitability with a return on average assets of 1.72 percent. Meadows Bank is ranked No. 2 in efficiency. Meadows Bank is ranked No. 3 in terms net interest margin at 5.13 percent. Meadows Bank is ranked No. 3 in yield on loans at 5.93 percent. Meadows is the fourth largest compared to all Arizona state chartered banks. SOURCE Meadows Bank Related Links https://www.meadowsbank.bank

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Top Telehealth Innovators and Leaders to Headline Second National Telemedicine & Telehealth Service Provider Showcase

The SPS 2016 agenda is jam-packed with practical advice on building successful telehealth programs, companies and partnerships. SPS speakers are nationally known telehealth innovators, experts and thought leaders, including C-suite officers of some of the country’s largest health-care companies, telehealth company founders and leaders, legal and regulatory authorities, health-care investors, and telemedicine program trendsetters.

PHOENIX, March 24, 2016 /PRNewswire/ — In response to the overwhelming success of the first Telemedicine & Telehealth Service Provider Showcase (SPS), the Arizona Telemedicine Program (ATP) is organizing the second SPS, to be held June 21-22 in downtown Phoenix, AZ. Photo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160324/347997 SPS 2016 again will focus on building partnerships to bring quality medical specialty services directly into hospitals, clinics, private practices, schools and other entities through telehealth technology. The goals are to improve patient care and outcomes and to increase market share for both healthcare providers and the telehealth service providers they partner with. SPS 2016 confirmed speakers are nationally known telehealth innovators, experts and thought leaders who will offer practical advice on identifying winning telehealth strategies, succeeding as a telehealth service provider, building effective partnerships, creating successful integration approaches and negotiating regulatory hurdles. “The feedback I received from clinicians who were there was astounding. They truly felt this was a valuable use of their time,” said GlobalMed CEO Joel Barthelemy about the first SPS conference, held in late 2014. “The information shared was some of the best I’ve ever encountered.” SPS 2016 Speakers are: Richard S. Bakalar, MD, Managing Director, Advisory Services in Healthcare Solutions, KPMG, LLP Grant Chamberlain, Managing Director, Healthcare Investment Banking, Ziegler Daniel J. Derksen, MD, Director, Arizona Center for Rural Health, The University of Arizona Mel & Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health James J. Dickson, MBA, Chief Executive Officer/Administrator, Copper Queen Community Hospital Alexis S. Gilroy, JD, Partner, Jones Day Mario Gutierrez, MPH, Executive Director, Center for Connected Health Policy Kristi Henderson, DNP, Vice President for Telehealth & Innovation, Seton Healthcare Family Raymond T. Hino, MPA, FACHE, President and Chief Executive Officer, Sonoma West Medical Center Barb Johnston, MSN, MLM, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder, HealthLinkNow B. Tilman Jolly, MD, FACEP, Chief Medical Officer, Specialists on Call Kofi Jones, Vice President, Public Relations and Government Affairs, American Well Isabelle C. Kopec, MD, Vice President of Medical Affairs, Advanced ICU Care Irene Krokos, MD, Senior Medical Director, Molina Healthcare, Inc. Nathaniel Lacktman, JD, Partner, Foley & Lardner, LLP Steven Lee, OD, Co-Founder/Chief Science Officer, Opternative Jonathan Linkous, MPA, Chief Executive Officer, American Telemedicine Association Samir Malik, Senior Vice President/General Manager, Genoa Telepsychiatry James R. Mault, MD, FACS, Vice President and Chief Medical Officer, Qualcomm Life Randall S. Moore, MD, MBA, President, Mercy Virtual Alan Pitt, MD, Chief Medical Officer, Avizia Mary Ellen Pratt, MHA, FACHE, Chief Executive Officer, St. James Parish Hospital Leigh Ann Ruggles, Executive Vice President of Sales and Client Success, MDLIVE Jay H. Sanders, MD, FACP, FACAAI, FATA, President and Chief Executive Officer, The Global Telemedicine Group Tarik Shaheen, MD, Child Psychiatrist and Founder, Iris Telehealth Atul Singh, MS, Director, Business Operations & Innovation, Digital Health, Walgreens Gigi Sorenson, RN, MSN, System Director of Telehealth & Community Connected Care, Northern Arizona Healthcare Mark M. Tomaino, MBA, JD, Senior Industry Executive, Welsh, Carson, Andersen & Stowe Ian Tong, MD, Chief Medical Officer, Doctor On Demand Ronald S. Weinstein, MD, FCAP, FATA, Director, Arizona Telemedicine Program SPS 2016 is expected to draw 300-400 attendees, including corporate executives exploring telemedicine, telehealth and mobile health; hospital and healthcare administrators; telehealth legal, regulatory and reimbursement managers; telemedicine and telehealth service providers; healthcare practitioners; and telemedicine/telehealth equipment and solutions vendors. Offering a broad array of tele-medical specialty services and models in a single expo hall, SPS 2016 will provide a forum for networking and for seeing and discussing the latest trends in clinical telehealth. The convention is co-hosted by the ATP; the Southwest Telehealth Resource Center; and the Four Corners Telehealth Consortium, which includes the University of Arizona Health Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, and Utah Telehealth Network. SPS Co-chairs are nationally and internationally renowned experts in the field and past chairs of the American Telemedicine Association (ATA): Dale C. Alverson, MD, FATA, FAAP, Medical Director, Center for Telehealth, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center; and Elizabeth A. Krupinski, PhD, FSPIE, FSIIM, FATA, Director, Southwest Telehealth Resource Center and Professor and Vice-chair, Research, Department of Radiology & Imaging Sciences, Emory University. SPS 2016 Honorary Chairs are speakers Sanders and Weinstein, both of whom are Presidents Emeriti of the ATA. Deadline for poster abstracts is April 15, 2016. To submit abstract click here. Early bird registration ends April 30, 2016. To register for the conference click here. More information is at TTSPSworld.com This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. For more info visit: http://www.newswire.com SOURCE Arizona Telemedicine Program

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Female Veterans Get Suspended During Physical Training

Wounded Warrior Project Hosts Day Exercise for Injured Service Members

PHOENIX, March 23, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Suspending themselves off the floor, female Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) Alumni and their families recently connected for a day of physical training and camaraderie. Agility360 joined WWP to help organize the event in support of WWP’s Physical Health and Wellness (PH&W) program, one of the 20 direct programs and services WWP offers wounded veterans, caregivers, and families, free of charge. “When we first arrived, the instructor gave us the overview of what we were doing,” said WWP Alumna and Army veteran Antoinette Grimes. “The staff wanted to make sure we were comfortable and tried to accommodate us whenever possible. It was a welcoming environment right from the start.” The physical training in which participants engaged focused on the TRX method, which incorporates suspension training and uses a person’s bodyweight to develop strength, balance, flexibility, and core stability simultaneously. After some stretching, the Alumni dove right in. “We began the workout, which was quite challenging,” Grimes said. “Afterward, we took a break to perform 20 minutes of meditation. It was very similar to yoga. I have a hard time meditating because I can’t stop thinking about things, but the instructor gave us tricks and tips to help us clear our minds and relax.” Participants were also shown the MELT method, which offers self-treatment for chronic pain and erases the effects left behind by aging and injuries that some people get from leading an active lifestyle. Afterward, Alumni enjoyed brunch while socializing with each other. “Although I already knew one person from a past WWP cycling program coming into this event, it was very easy to talk to people here,” Grimes reflected. “I love that Wounded Warrior Project hosts female only events like this, because it gives us a chance to discuss how our recoveries are progressing, and share different therapies that are unique to us as women. A lot of the women at the event were in the Army just like me and it was good to bond over that shared experience.” In February 2016, 917 Alumni got their blood pumping during PH&W program events. Through PH&W programs, wounded veterans can reduce stress and depression while being empowered to live an overall healthy lifestyle by participating in fun, active, and educational activities. PH&W events are designed to show injured service members that regardless of their physical injuries, they can maintain an active way of life. From myofascial release and yoga instruction, training plans for running, and healthy cooking classes, the WWP PH&W program offers injured veterans a chance to discover healthier lifestyles in a variety of ways. Along with the health benefits associated with PH&W services, Alumni have the chance to bond with other wounded veterans and family support members. In addition to PH&W programs, Wounded Warrior Project offers many other direct programs and services that make a difference in the lives of wounded veterans, like the Long-Term Support Trust. Established in 2014, the Long-Term Support Trust works to ensure the long-term care of this generation’s most seriously injured veterans – those with moderate-to-severe brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, or other neurological conditions – who, upon the loss of their caregiver, are at risk for institutionalization. About Wounded Warrior Project The mission of Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) is to honor and empower Wounded Warriors. WWP’s purpose is to raise awareness and to enlist the public’s aid for the needs of injured service members, to help injured servicemen and women aid and assist each other, and to provide unique, direct programs and services to meet their needs. WWP is a national, nonpartisan organization headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida. To get involved and learn more, visit woundedwarriorproject.org. Photo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160323/347496 SOURCE Wounded Warrior Project Related Links http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org

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Arizona House Passes SB 1316 to Give Arizonans New Option in Lending

New Location in the Biltmore District Provides Suite of Services for Local Small- and Medium-Size Business Owners to Manage Business and Personal Finances

PHOENIX, March 21, 2016 /PRNewswire/ — The Arizona House of Representatives today passed a bill that gives Arizonans in need of emergency financial assistance a new lending option. The bill, SB 1316, is sponsored by Sen. Jon Kavanaugh (District 23) and now goes to the Senate floor for final passage. “Today’s action is a victory for the thousands of Arizonans who have precious few lending options,” said Rep. JD Mesnard (LD-17), the lead House sponsor of the legislation. “Flex loans offer a choice for those who lack the collateral or credit to obtain more conventional loans to help with emergencies and financial hardships. They also protect consumers from offshore, unregulated online lenders and illegal lenders.” Nearly 20 percent Arizonans are “underbanked” according to the FDIC’s 2013 National Survey of Unbanked and Underbanked Households. Without access to traditional banking services, these households have few lending options and often turn to online and unprotected loans, pawn shops or auto title loans as their only options. If they do not have auto titles or goods to pawn, then there are even fewer borrowing options. “Thirty-five other states in America have more lending choices than Arizona,” Sen. Kavanagh said. “Arizonans should be allowed to make their own financial decisions – and the government should keep its hands out of their private lives and decisions.” In the House, SB 1316 was amended to include the following: Add a minimum term length of 45 days Eliminate the ability to make a secondary title loan Adds a 20-year sunset and mandatory review after 10 years Details of SB1316: Loan amounts are capped at $2,500 Maximum loan term of 24 months Voids any loan that is made outside of the restrictions outlined in the proposed policy Requires lenders to follow Truth in Lending Act disclosers as required Requires lenders to alert consumers that disclosures in Spanish may be requested Clarifies that consumer flexible credit loans will not be available to active duty military and their families Clarifies how loans are made electronically About the Arizona Financial Choice Association The Arizona Financial Choice Association is an organization made up of national, regional and Arizona-based financial services companies including: Community Choice Financial, Inc.; Axcess Financial Services, Inc.; Speedy Cash Holdings Corp; Check into Cash, Inc.; PLS Financial, Inc.; Checkmate; and Cash Time. The companies operate within Arizona and 34 other states as well as overseas. They also finance title loans, conduct check cashing, issue prepaid debit cards, have bill pay services, and in states where allowed, offer other small loan products and payday loans. AFCA member companies currently represent more than 2000 locations and 1,700 employees in Arizona. Contact: Melissa DeLaney, 202-431-4441, melissa@axiompublicaffairs.com Logo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160210/331878LOGO SOURCE Arizona Financial Choice Association

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Honeywell And NASA Put STEM Education In 'Motion' For Arizona Middle Schools

FMA Live!, the interactive hip-hop, Newtonian physics show will visit 40 schools across seven U.S. states

MORRIS TOWNSHIP, N.J., March 21, 2016 /PRNewswire/ — Honeywell (NYSE: HON) and NASA are proud to support their science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education program with the award-winning, hip-hop educational experience FMA Live! Forces in Motion. The program made its return to the West Coast this month with plans to visit seven states and perform at 40 public, private and military-connected middle schools. This week, FMA Live! Forces in Motion is rolling into Arizona for performances in Peoria (Sunrise Mountain High School) and Phoenix (Paradise Valley High School and Desert Foothills Junior High School). The popular show incorporates hip-hop music and dancers with student volunteers and on-stage, interactive science experiments to demonstrate how physics plays a role in everyday life. Since the program’s creation in 2004, the FMA Live! cast has performed before 455,000 students in more than 1,150 schools from all 48 contiguous U.S. states, as well as in Mexico and Canada. “It is critically important to get middle school-aged students aware of and excited about STEM topics—especially physics. We’ve seen FMA Live! make the introduction easier,” said Donald James, NASA’s associate administrator for Education. “Thanks to our collaboration with Honeywell, we’re inspiring students to set their sights on future careers in the critical STEM field.” Each performance focuses on Newton’s Universal Law of Gravity and Three Laws of Motion. Named after Newton’s Second Law of Motion [Force equals Mass times Acceleration], FMA Live! uses music videos and interactive scientific demonstrations to teach and inspire students to pursue STEM careers. “Many of today’s engineering challenges will be solved decades into the future by the next generation of engineers and scientists,” said Mike Bennett, president, Honeywell Hometown Solutions. “To prepare students to become tomorrow’s innovators, Honeywell invests in programs like FMA Live! to ignite that spark of inspiration in fun and relatable ways.” The FMA Live! Forces in Motion experience features an online “Teachers’ Lounge” that includes National Science Standards-based teaching resources, downloadable streaming videos, music from the show, and a comprehensive educational guide with lesson plans. This digital tool helps keep the post-show spark alive and can be incorporated into classroom learning objectives. To learn more visit FMALive.com. About FMA Live! Using live actors, hip-hop songs, music videos, interactive scientific demonstrations and video interviews with scientists and engineers from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, the show teaches Newton’s Three Laws of Motion and Universal Law of Gravity. Honeywell and NASA created FMA Live! to inspire middle school students to explore STEM concepts and careers. The program addresses Forces and Motion learning objectives outlined by the Next Generation Science Education Standards for students in grades 5-8. Through Honeywell Hometown Solutions, the company has a number of award-winning programs focused on inspiring students at all grade levels to embrace STEM education. The company chose physics for FMA Live! Forces in Motion because studies have shown that the middle school years of education offer the best window of opportunity to get students interested in STEM careers. Supporting Resources Read more about FMA Live! Forces in Motion Visit the FMALive! Facebook page Follow @HON_Citizenship on Twitter Follow FMA Live! on Instagram Visit Honeywell’s Corporate Citizenship page Learn more about NASA’s education programs For Educators The FMA Live! Forces in Motion website features a “Teachers’ Lounge”. About Honeywell Hometown Solutions FMA Live! Forces in Motion is part of Honeywell Hometown Solutions, the company’s corporate citizenship initiative, which focuses on five areas of vital importance: Science & Math Education, Family Safety & Security, Housing & Shelter, Habitat & Conservation, and Humanitarian Relief. Together with leading public and non-profit institutions, Honeywell has developed powerful programs to address these needs in the communities it serves. For more information, please visit http://citizenship.honeywell.com/. About Honeywell Honeywell (www.honeywell.com) is a Fortune 100 diversified technology and manufacturing leader, serving customers worldwide with aerospace products and services; control technologies for buildings, homes, and industry; turbochargers; and performance materials. For more news and information about Honeywell, please visit www.honeywellnow.com. Honeywell and the Honeywell logo are the exclusive properties of Honeywell, are registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, and may be registered or pending registration in other countries. All other Honeywell product names, technology names, trademarks, service marks, and logos may be registered or pending registration in the U.S. or in other countries. All other trademarks or registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Copyright 2015 Honeywell. Media Contact: Cecilia Tejeda (973) 455-3450 cecilia.tejeda@honeywell.com Photo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160320/346039 SOURCE Honeywell Related Links http://www.honeywell.com

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