Donna Sylver, CFO of Mutual Community Savings Bank Makes National Top-25 Women-in-Banking List; U.S. Banker Magazine Names Most Powerful Women in Industry.

DURHAM, N.C. -- Donna Sylver, Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President of Mutual Community Savings Bank (MCSB)(OTCBB:MTUC), has been named among the 25 Most Powerful Women in Banking in 2005 by U.S. Banker Magazine.

The U.S. Banker article cites Sylver's participation in the executive ranks at MCSB, where she implemented strategies that helped achieve a 170-percent increase in net income in a single year while working on process re-engineering and improving efficiencies. Her goal-oriented style was evidenced when she entered banking as a Budget Manager at N.C.-based Pioneer Savings Bank; she was charged with starting a budget department there from scratch. Three companies and many career steps later, at MCSB she's worked on restructuring the treasury and accounting departments as well as payroll, human resources and information technology. Her leadership style is known as highly collegial, with an emphasis on mentoring and sharing of information.

In its third year, where over 5,000 women were considered for the annual ranking, the magazine profiles financial performance, job complexity, tenure in the business, position and responsibility, management style, charitable work, participation in the local community and influence within the industry as a whole. Sylver accepted this prestigious honor at a gala in New York City in October and considers it gratifying to be included in the rankings of some of the most exceptional women in leadership at multi billion dollar global financial institutions.

"Receiving this recognition, and being one of the cover girls, as we were affectionately called during the magazine's photo shoot, was without a doubt a great honor. But of course the true success comes as a result of the great leadership and an awesome team here at the bank that has had to dig in (metaphorically) with their cleats and make things happen. I am most proud of the magazine's 'circle of influence' theme which gave me an opportunity to showcase the one who influenced me, my mom, and the ones I am still trying to influence, my two daughters, Shelayna and Stephanie," said Sylver.

Sylver's a long-time pro at multi-tasking and balancing personal and professional commitments. Her passion as a role model and for making a difference extends to her active community commitments in the Durham area, addressing such problems as domestic violence and homelessness. She attributes her energetic commitment to goals and passion to the influences of her mother, whom she describes as "an early entrepreneur before she knew it," managing retail operations at a small store, catering, and starting a surrogate shopping service while also fighting for civil rights during the 1960s.

Challenging and overcoming barriers of race and gender are heartfelt causes for Sylver, who expresses continued concern for the industry's representation of female minorities, particularly African American women in the higher ranks. Not only are African American women under represented in the high rank positions in most industries, but there is also a representative deficiency in the certified public accounting (CPA) profession.

"We are extremely fortunate in having a professional of Donna's caliber as a leader and an inspiration at MCSB. She is one of the most gifted and talented individuals anywhere," said William G. Smith, President and Chief Executive Officer of MCSB.

Mutual Community Savings Bank, Inc., SSB, is a North Carolina-chartered stock savings bank. Mutual was founded as a North Carolina-chartered building and loan association in 1921 by a group of local African-American businessmen. Mutual's primary target areas are Durham, N.C., where it maintains its main office and a branch office, and Greensboro, N.C., where its other branch office is located.