BLOOMINGTON, Ind., -- Monroe Bank (NASDAQ:MROE) is closing the majority of its banking centers in Monroe County on Wednesday, October 13th for a half-day so employees can take part in volunteer projects across the community. The volunteer effort is in conjunction with the “Week of Caring” organized by the United Way of Monroe County.

It is the ninth year that the Company has provided paid time off to allow teams of employees to volunteer. As is the tradition, the Bank will set aside the afternoon of October 13th, close most of its banking centers at Noon, but keep volunteering employees on the clock until 5 p.m. Of the 208 employees working in the Bank’s Monroe County locations, 120 will provide volunteer labor to more than a dozen local projects. A contingent will stay behind to keep two banking centers fully staffed and open for business.

Most Monroe Bank banking centers in Bloomington and Ellettsville and the Bank’s Loan Center will close. The drive-through Kirkwood Auto Banking Center at 306 E. Kirkwood and the banking center inside Marsh at 1825 N. Kinser Pike will both remain open regular business hours for the full day.

“We’re proud of our continued participation in the Day of Caring. It gives us a chance to set aside our normal routine in order to give back to our community,” said Mark D. Bradford, President and Chief Executive Officer. “Year after year employees tell me how much they enjoy this opportunity to make a difference.”

Monroe Bank employees in Monroe County will participate in ten Day of Caring projects, volunteering for such organizations as the Middle Way House, Hoosier Trails Council of Boy Scouts, Community Health Services, PALS, Inc., Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard, First United Methodist Kitchen, Children’s Village and Bloomington Parks and Recreation Community Gardens.

Monroe Bank employees outside of Monroe County have already volunteered during their own Day of Caring. Two of Monroe Bank’s three Hendricks County offices closed for a half-day on September 10, allowing employees time to volunteer at the Day Nursery Association of Plainfield doing clean up and landscaping of the grounds. The employees of Monroe Bank in Bedford stained deck chairs, swept and cleaned at Otis Park during their May 5th Day of Caring.

Monroe Bank was established in 1892 in Bloomington, Indiana and is the wholly owned subsidiary of Monroe Bancorp, an Indiana bank holding company headquartered in Bloomington. Monroe Bank offers a full range of financial, trust and investment services to its more than 20,000 retail and commercial customers through offices in Monroe, Jackson, Lawrence and Hendricks counties. The Company's common stock is traded on the NASDAQÒ National Stock Market under the symbol MROE.