Finance press releases

PRESS RELEASE

Performance Trust to Hold 3rd Annual Public Debates on U.S. Economy

Chicago

December 31, 2012

Whitney Young to defend crown against top Chicago high school teams as students examine unemployment, federal debt and Dodd-Frank

Students from eight top Chicago high school debate teams will take on the same economic policy questions this week as White House and congressional leaders.

In the third annual Performance Trust Public Debates on the U.S. Economy, participants from a broad cross-section of Chicago neighborhoods will examine national tax and spending plans and the threat of the impending "fiscal cliff." The issue has commanded Washington's attention in recent weeks as government leaders negotiate how to deal with both mounting federal debt and sluggish economic growth.

Students will also analyze the Dodd-Frank Act of 2010 and its potential to do more harm than good.

"With the fiscal cliff approaching and federal debt increasing, uncertainty is hindering investment and growth. The debates serve as a great opportunity for high school students to learn about what government and business leaders are really up against" said Performance Trust CEO Richard Berg. "Past years have shown that when given time to study these policies and their implications, students can surprise us with the depth of their understanding and eloquence of their arguments."

The debates, which are open to the public, will be held December 7 and 8 at Performance Trust, located at 500 W. Madison St. in Chicago.

This will be the third straight year Performance Trust has partnered with the Chicago Debate Commission and Chicago Public Schools to host this event. All participating schools are members of the 16-year-old and 71-school Chicago Debate League, the nation's largest, best-studied and most competitive Urban Debate League. In addition to Performance Trust, the debate is co-sponsored by Attucks Asset Management, Stout Risius Ross, Inc., and McGladrey LLP.

Eight Chicago high schools will participate in this year's debates, including last year's first place winner, Whitney Young Magnet High School, ranked among the debate programs in the nation. The other participating schools include Northside College Prep, Morgan Park High School, Lane Technical High School, Daniel Hale Williams Prep School of Medicine, Lindblom Math and Science Academy, Marshall Metropolitan High School, and George Westinghouse College Prep.

To find out more, please contact Bob Chrismer at bchrismer@performancetrust.com.

About Performance Trust Capital Partners

Performance Trust Capital Partners, LLC is committed to helping financial institutions improve their long-term performance and deliver shareholder value. Identifying your path to independence requires better tools and clear insights which lead to great decisions. For more information, go to www.performancetrust.com.

CONTACT: Pamela Shanahan, (312) 521-1690, pshanahan@performancetrust.com