National Bestseller Cites Ratings Service that Terms Farmers One of Two Strongest Banks in Ohio

CANFIELD, Ohio - Weiss Ratings, Inc., a nationally respected bank rating service, has selected Farmers National Bank as one of the two safest banks in the State of Ohio and thus one of the strongest banks in America.

Weiss"s research and ratings have gained national attention after being highlighted in the best-selling financial advice book, Conquer the Crash, by Robert R. Prechter, Jr.

Weiss bases its ratings on several factors, including a bank"s: Capital Strength; Asset Quality; Management Abilities; Earnings Sufficiency; Liquidity; and Sensitivity to Market Risk.

Subtitled "You Can Survive and Prosper in a Deflationary Depression", Prechter"s book (reviewed in USA Today on 8/26/02) is published by John Wiley & Sons and has sold more than 100,000 copies since its recent release.

"We are pleased that Farmers" strengths have been recognized by a national bank ratings service," says Frank L. Paden, President & CEO of Farmers National Bank. "We do not necessarily share the views of the nation"s economic climate as expressed in the book that has brought attention to the ratings. But, we appreciate being recognized for our strong capital position, our asset quality, liquidity and other factors that led to the high ratings."

Conquer the Crash recommends strategies to hedge against possible deepening problems in the nation"s economy. Farmers has been contacted by several readers of the book who have expressed an interest in understanding the bank"s strategic business plan and how it benefits customer deposits and protects shareholder investment.

Farmers National Bank operates sixteen banking offices throughout Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties. The bank offers a wide range of banking and investment services to companies and individuals, and maintains a website at www.fnbcanfield.com.