New banks added to ABA NASDAQ Community Bank Index.

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The ABA has added three banks to the ABA NASDAQ Community Bank Index (ABAQ), effective this spring. The index includes more than 400 community banks with a market capitalization of over $125 billion. Additionally, People's United Financial Inc. (PBCT) 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...