National Business Women's Conference to Help Entrepreneurs Grow; June 12 Event Matches Women-Owned Businesses with 18 Lenders

WASHINGTON, DC – May 15, 2006 – One out of every 11 adult American women is a business owner, and their companies are growing aggressively. Between 1997 and 2004, the number of workers employed by women-owned firms rose by 24%; that's twice the growth rate compared with the overall U.S. economy.

But Penny Pompei, CEO of the National Women's Business Center ("NWBC"), says women entrepreneurs have yet to reach their full potential. "Women too often finance their start-ups with credit card debt. This limits their access to capital and hampers their ability to take their companies to the next level."

One solution, according to Pompei, is to bring entrepreneurs and potential funding sources face to face. "Women need to hear first hand that banks are eager to work with their companies," she says. On June 12, fourteen financial institutions, including PNC Bank, Bank of America, Citibank and Fidelity, will take part in one-on-one meetings with attendees at the National Business Women's Conference. A complete list of participants is available at http://www.businesswomensconference.com.

Monica Eboda, Regional Vice President of Business Banking at PNC Bank, agrees with Pompei. "We recently announced a $4 billion lending goal to women-owned firms. They represent a high-growth business segment that we're very committed to supporting." Eboda is also a member of the NWBC's Board of Directors.

The National Women's Business Conference will be held on June 12 at the JW Marriott Hotel in Washington, DC. The event will conclude with the Women Entrepreneurs Gala and Awards Dinner. Congressman Don Manzullo, Chairman of the House Committee on Small Business, is confirmed to attend. Additional event information as well as registration details are available at http://www.businesswomensconference.com, or by calling 202-785-4922.

About the National Women's Business Center

The non-profit NWBC was established in 1996 by Congressional action. Over the past 10 years, the Center has helped over 12,000 entrepreneurs, primarily women, launch or grow their businesses. The Center's workshops and seminars are led by successful entrepreneurs who are experts in the field that they teach. A complete list of their training programs is available at http://www.womensbusinesscenter.org.