Stock Market

European equities ended lower for a third straight session on Monday as weaker financials and telecommunications stocks outpaced positive energy shares that tracked a jump in oil prices. The FTSEurofirst 300 index of top European shares closed 0.7 percent lower at 657.30 points after setting a fresh lifetime low. The index has declined 21 percent so far this year after plunging 45 percent in 2008.

Hong Kong shares closed down 4.8 percent on Monday, with the benchmark index dragged lower by a 24 percent plunge in HSBC as the global lender headed towards its deeply discounted rights issue this week. HSBC sank deeper in the post-close auction period to end down HK$10.5 at HK$33 after a fund sold 11.9 million shares, two brokers told Reuters.

New Zealand share prices closed little changed on Monday due to the absence of any strong leads locally or from overseas markets, dealers said. The benchmark NZX-50 index fell 1.87 points to 2,469.17 on turnover worth 93.3 million dollars (46.9 million US). There were 49 falling stocks and 33 gainers. Weak residential building data for the December quarter underlined the weakness of the property market and the likelihood the economy probably shrank in the last three months of 2008.

The Philippines stock market will likely follow the lead of the US economy in the coming week with further bad news on the horizon, dealers said on Friday. "It will go a little sideways. But aside from the earnings reports of some companies, there is no good news. The general sentiment is still negative," said Jeng Calma of A and A Securities Inc.

Indonesian share prices are set for a rebound in the coming week with investors focusing on selected telecoms and banking stocks seen as undervalued at current levels, analysts said Friday. "I expect a technical rebound to take place next week since some blue chips are already quite low," Mandiri Securities analyst Rafdi Prima told AFP.

The Australian stock market is likely to continue to fall with grim news mounting and no reprieve in sight, dealers said on Friday. For the week ending March 6 the benchmark S&P/ASX 200 lost 199 points, or six percent, to close at 3,145.5. Critical US jobs numbers due out later on Friday were likely to spark a significant sell-off, said CMC Markets analyst Dominic Vaughan.

Taiwan share prices are expected to gain further amid active rotational buying as investors short cover their positions after recent heavy losses, dealers said. A stronger Taiwan dollar is likely to encourage foreign funds to come in, injecting more capital into the already highly liquid local bourse, lending support to share prices, they said.

The Tokyo stock market, teetering on the brink of 26-year lows, faces a major test as economic gloom threatens to send the Nikkei below the key 7,000 points level, dealers said Friday.

Citizens Bancshares Corporation (BULLETIN BOARD: CZBS) (the "Company"), parent company of Citizens Trust Bank, today announced that it has received a $7.462 million investment from the U.S. Department of the Treasury ("Treasury") under the TARP Capital Purchase Program (the "CPP"). The CPP is a voluntary program designed to assist financial institutions in increasing the flow of financing to U.S. businesses and consumers as a way of stimulating the U.S. economy.

Under the CPP, the Company has issued 7,462 shares of a Fixed Rate Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series A, with a $1,000 per share liquidation value to the Treasury. At a special meeting of shareholders held on March 2, 2009, the Company received shareholder approval to amend its Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation to authorize the issuance of 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock. The authorized preferred stock allowed the Company to participate in the CPP.

Mr. James E. Young, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "In addition to our already well-capitalized position under current regulatory guidelines, this new equity will enhance our competitive position and increase our capacity to lend." According to Mr. Young, the additional capital provided through the CPP would enhance the company's balance sheet and its ability to pursue its disciplined growth strategy, which includes expanding existing customer relationships, adding new customers and pursuing future strategic acquisition opportunities.

As a leader in the financial services industry, Citizens Trust Bank prides itself on offering a full range of quality products and services. Since its inception, the Bank has remained dedicated to the growth and development of communities through superior products and extraordinary service. Citizens Trust Bank has financial centers throughout metropolitan Atlanta and Columbus, Georgia, and in Birmingham and Eutaw, Alabama. Through its parent company, Citizens Bancshares Corporation, its common stock is offered over-the-counter to the general public under the trading symbol CZBS. For more information please visit Citizens Trust Bank on the web at www.CTBconnect.com . Citizens Trust Bank - A relationship you can bank on.

This news release contains forward-looking statements and comments on outlook. Any number of conditions may occur, which would affect important factors that may materially change expectations. These factors include, but are not limited to, customer trading activity, changes in technology, shifts in competitive patterns, decisions with regard to products and services, changes in revenues and profits, and significant changes in the market environment regionally or nationally.