American Marine Bank (AMB) recently announced changes to its Board of Directors. Karen Beierle will resign her position on the board effective Sept. 16 after serving on the board since 1993. Beierle, owner of Childwood Educational Materials, leaves her board position to devote more time to her business and family. As an AMB board member, Beierle was supportive of the banks growth opportunities.

Joining the AMB Board of Directors as a new member is George Kanalos. Kanalos will serve until the next shareholders’ meeting in April of 2005 and then stand for re-election. He brings over 26-years of experience in real estate lending and resulting expertise in marketing, construction lending, investments, builder/developer contracts and permanent loan placement.

Kanalos served as Loan Officer at United Bank and later as VP and Manger of Commercial Loans for Shoreline Savings Bank. With previous experience in the life insurance and hospitalities industries, Kanalos owns and manages his own commercial mortgage business, Eastside Mortgage, LLC, which he opened in 1978. Originally born and educated in Czechoslovakia where he received a degree in History, he holds an Executive Management degree from LaSalle University in Chicago.