ABA makes additions to ABA NASDAQ Community Bank Index.

• Position: ABA RESOURCES - American Bankers Association

THE ABA HAS ADDED NINE BANKS TO THE ABA NASDAQ COMMUNITY BANK INDEX (ABAQ), effective last December. The index includes more than 420 community banks with a market capitalization of over $116 billion. Additionally, First Niagara Financial Group (FNFG) no longer qualifies under the criteria for inclusion in the ABA NASDAQ Community Bank Index, as it is now one of the 50 largest banking charters.

Launched in December 2003, the ABAQ is the most broadly representative stock index for community banks and remains an important tool for giving banks more visibility with analysts and investors.

The index includes all banks and savings associations or their holding companies listed on the NASDAQ, with the exception of any of the 50 largest bank and thrift charters based on asset size, banks classified as having an "international specialization" and banks classified as having a "credit card specialization." Asset size and business classifications are based on the most recently available FDIC data.

The index is calculated on both a total return and price return basis. The index is reported daily as a total return index, which means that the value of reinvested dividends is included in the calculation. The total return index is commonly used as a benchmark in proxy statements.

Price changes throughout the trading day are...