• Must have been founded no earlier than 1999 and no later than 2003
• Company sales in 2003 must be $100,000 or greater; 2007 sales must not exceed $1 billion
• Must have positive job growth between 2003 and 2007
• Must have a minimum level of sales growth or a sales growth quantifier of 1 or higher between 2003 and 2007; the growth quantifier is a measurement that combines percentage and absolute growth.

Entrepreneur Magazine Ranks Leaders Bank as
One of the Hot 100 Fast-Growth Businesses in the U.S. 

Oak Brook, IL – From a database of nearly 21 million companies reviewed by Entrepreneur magazine and research provider CentrisPoint, Leaders Bank was distinguished as one of the nation’s Hot 100 fast-growth businesses. Leaders Bank ranks 51 on the list for its rapid sales growth and positive job growth, among other select criteria. The Hot 100 ranking appears in the May issue of Entrepreneur. Of the nearly 21 million companies on the preliminary list, only 0.3% made the first cut, and just a fraction of those made it to the Hot 100, including Leaders Bank. In 2008, Leaders Bank is celebrating its 8^th anniversary with two new Banking Centers – one in Hoffman Estates and another coming soon in Naperville – as well as reaching $500 million in assets earlier this year. “We put our employees in a position where they can utilize their strengths, and we make sure they are supported well. This approach nurtures personal job satisfaction, which translates to low turnover and high levels of employee and customer satisfaction,” says Jim Lynch, president and CEO of Leaders Bank.  “This year’s Hot 100 listing reveals the shining stars continuing to drive the nation’s economy forward,” says Karen Axelton, executive editor of Entrepreneur. “These companies, and the entrepreneurs who built them, are making a major impact on the economy with their revenue and the new jobs they create as a result of their growth. The innovation, persistence and passion they demonstrate in industries across the board are vital to the nation’s success as a whole.”  Entrepreneur magazine’s 14th consecutive ranking of America’s top fast-growth companies revealed businesses with total combined revenue of $4.6 billion in 2007. The Hot 100 are expected to employ more than 15,000 individuals by 2009, an increase from a total of 517 employees on their first day of business. And of the companies ranked, 91 offer employees health insurance, 73 provide retirement funds, 42 offer tuition reimbursement and 40 offer flextime.  For the complete story and Leaders Bank’s Hot 100 listing, visit www.entrepreneur.com/hot100. For more information on Leaders Bank, call (630) 572-5323 or visit www.leadersbank.com. 

About Leaders Bank

With locations at 2001 York Road in Oak Brook and 2800 W. Higgins Road in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, and opening soon at 2075 Calamos Court in Naperville, Leaders Bank is a premier commercial bank catering to private business owners, their families and other entrepreneurs. Leaders Bank offers a full spectrum of traditional and customized banking services, Internet-based banking, and online bill payment. To contact Leaders Bank, call (630) 572-5323 or visit www.leadersbank.com. 

About Entrepreneur Media Inc.