Horizon Announces Expansion to South Bend, Indiana with Addition of Steven C. Watts

Business Wire, Sept 29, 2004

MICHIGAN CITY, Ind. -- Horizon Bancorp (Nasdaq:HBNC) announced today another eastward expansion for their company with the addition of Steven C. Watts. With over 30 years of banking experience, Mr. Watts will assume the position as Horizon's regional President in charge of the South Bend market area. Plans are to establish the first Horizon Bank location in South Bend within the first quarter of 2005.

"We are pleased to be expanding into the South Bend area. As the largest community bank in LaPorte County with over 130 years of history, expanding into St. Joseph County is a logical fit for us along with our recent expansion into Elkhart," said Craig M. Dwight, Horizon's Chairman and CEO. "We believe the South Bend market provides considerable opportunity for a community bank with exceptional home town talent, like Steve Watts," Dwight said.

A native of Mishawaka, Steve Watts is a local banking professional joining Horizon in its efforts to expand in northern Indiana. His most recent position was that of President and Chief Executive Officer for Sobieski Bank in South Bend. There, he guided the institution through challenges that included commercial loan restriction & asset growth limitation directives from regulatory agencies.

"I'm excited about representing Horizon Bank in St. Joseph County," said Steve Watts. "Our team of bankers will be very experienced and familiar with our local market. I believe Horizon's presence in this market is a great opportunity for local consumers to receive the exceptional service and sensible advice they deserve," continued Watts.

Watts earned a Bachelor's of Science Degree in Education/History from Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana and he is a graduate of the Wisconsin Graduate School of Banking in Madison, Wisconsin. Watts currently resides in Granger with his wife Jean. He has been involved with the following associations: Morris Performing Arts Restoration; United Way; Family and Children's Center; Community Homebuyers Corporation; Ronald McDonald Foundation of Northern Indiana and the Chamber of Commerce of St. Joseph County. He currently serves on the Boards of the Boys & Girls Club of St. Joseph County and REAL Services.

Watts' board activities have included: Community Foundation of St. Joseph County; Mayor's Housing Forum; St. Joseph County Coalition Against Drugs, St. Joseph Regional Center's Foundation; Center for the Homeless; South Bend Symphony Orchestra; South Bend Regional Museum of Art; Project Future and the Indiana Bankers Association - Government Relations Committee.

Anyone with experience in banking or consultative selling that is interested in employment with Horizon Bank should contact Human Resources at (219) 873-2640 or toll-free at 1-888-873-2640.

Horizon Bancorp is a locally owned, independent, bank holding company serving northern Indiana and southern Michigan. Horizon offers banking, insurance, investment and trust services from offices located in Michigan City, LaPorte, Wanatah, Chesterton, Portage, Valparaiso, Elkhart and Merrillville, Indiana, and St. Joseph, Michigan and provides mortgage-banking services throughout the Midwest. Horizon Bancorp may be reached on the World Wide Web at www.accesshorizon.com. Its common stock is traded on the NASDAQ SmallCap Market under the symbol HBNC.

Statements in this press release which express "belief," "intention," "expectation," and similar expressions, identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs of the Company's management, as well as assumptions made by, and information currently available to, such management. Such statements are inherently uncertain and there can be no assurance that the underlying assumptions will prove to be accurate. Actual results could differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statements in this release are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.