Monroe Bancorp names newest director

Monroe Bancorp named James Bremner to its board of directors last week as the bank's newest addition. Bremner has eight years experience running Bremner and Wiley Inc., a healthcare facility development and management firm in Indianapolis.\nBremner has a total of 24 years experience in owning and operating a business and said he feels that benefits of being on the board will be reciprocal.\n"It was a great compliment to be offered the opportunity by the existing board members," Bremner said. "It is a terrific opportunity to learn about the banking industry, as well as support a 110-year-old bank that has been in the community." \nHe said he has been on various charitable boards and organizations but has not been on any other commercial boards other than his own company's. \n"I share Monroe Bank's commitment to the communities it serves and to their customers, many of whom are patients or employees of the healthcare facilities developed by Bremner and Wiley," Bremner said. "I am honored to serve on its board of directors, and I look forward to working hard to help the company achieve its goals."\nAs president and CEO of Bremner and Wiley Inc., Bremner was involved in all aspects of the business, which was established in 1986. He takes part in the development, management and acquisition of healthcare facilities. He is also extensively involved in all phases of the Bremner and Wiley Real Estate Advisory Group, including site analysis, land acquisitions and tenant representation.\nSince 1998 he has developed over $120 million in healthcare facilities. Prior to his work at Bremner and Wiley, Bremner was a partner and president of a commercial real estate firm, Revel Companies.\nHe graduated from Purdue University with a Bachelor of Science in Management in 1977.\nMonroe Bank President and CEO Mark D. Bradford said Bremner will be of particular assistance in the Indianapolis area. \n"(Monroe Bancorp) has made a determination to grow into Hendricks County and into the greater Indianapolis market," Bradford said. "Bremner brings a lot of knowledge of the Indianapolis market. He can help us with underwriting decisions on loans. We already have $60 million of loans outstanding in Indianapolis. Also, Bremner is well-respected in Indianapolis and can make introductions that will allow our people to do additional business."\nMonroe Bank was founded in 1892 as a community bank and now operates 16 branches in and around Bloomington. It serves Monroe, Jackson, Lawrence and Hendricks counties. Monroe Bancorp was established as the holding company for the bank.\nThe bank provides a variety of financial, trust and investment services to more than 20,000 customers, including personal checking and savings accounts, business account management, making commercial, mortgage and personal loans and brokerage services. Danise Alano, vice president and marketing director for the bank, said Monroe County Bancorp began listing its stock on NASDAQ in 2001.\n-- Contact staff writer Karen Yancey at kaeyance@indiana.edu.