DAMITA J. BARBEE TO LEAD ORGANIZATION
URBAN FINANCIAL SERVICE COALITION
Providing Opportunities for the Minority Financial Services Professional

(AFRICAN AMERICAN NEWSWIRE)(April 8, 2004- San Francisco, CA ) Damita J. Barbee, Vice President, Senior Sales & Product Manager for The Mechanics Bank of Hercules, CA., begins a two-year term as President of the Urban Financial Service Coalition (UFSC). Urban Financial Services Coalition (formerly known as the National Association of Urban Bankers), a nonprofit organization, is the oldest and preeminent professional trade association for minority professionals employed in the financial services industry. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the UFSC is comprised of 38 chapters nationwide and in Toronto, Canada. The organization's primary focus is to increase the number of minority professionals in the financial services industry, in particular senior management positions; to provide financial literacy to under-served communities and assist with economic empowerment development programs; and, to provide scholarships to deserving minority college-bound students pursuing careers in the financial services industry.

Ms. Barbee's goals include increasing the overall membership by 20%; develop new corporate partnerships with traditional and non-traditional companies; promote their nationwide financial literacy program and to officially launch the student chapter concept nationwide.

"As the UFSC celebrates its 30th anniversary, there is still a need for organizations of this type. In an industry with continuous mergers and acquisitions, the number of minorities in officer and senior management positions are still disproportionate with non-minorities," says Ms. Barbee.

"Notwithstanding the exceptional gains made by the likes of Ken Chenault (American Express) and Frank Raines (Fannie Mae) and E. Stanley O'Neal (Merrill Lynch), the UFSC will continue to monitor the progress of the financial services industry to ensure it fully embraces the concept of work force diversity as it relates to minority hiring."
Barbee concludes, "Our vision is to ensure the full and equitable participation of color at all levels in the financial services industry. The UFSC will continue to be the preeminent resource organization that provides professional development programs for the advancement of its members; promote educational advancement for the development of future minority professionals; and, ensure the economic empowerment of under served communities".
The Urban Financial Services Coalition will celebrate its 30th anniversary in Las Vegas, Nevada next year during the week of May 31- June 6. For more information on UFSC, its upcoming conference or to interview Ms. Barbee contact Melodie Cunningham at 1.888.265.6480. Information may also be obtained at their website, http://www.ufscnet.org/.