Barrie G. Christman, chair of Principal Bank®, has been elected to serve as chair of the American Bankers Association's (ABA) Government Relations Council.

The Government Relations Council plays a critical role in ABA's decision-making process by developing recommendations for the association's Board of Directors on positions and priorities relating to legislative and regulatory issues. Committee members also provide a forum for discussion and debate on policy issues facing the banking industry, and work to identify emerging issues ABA should address.

Most importantly, Christman and other members of the Government Relations Council serve as essential advocates of ABA's policy positions before members of the legislative and executive branches and related agencies, local media and fellow bankers.

"It is a great honor to chair this important committee," says Christman. "I look forward to participating and helping further the critical role our nation's banks play in the broader economy."

Christman joined the Principal Financial Group® in 2001 as president and CEO of Principal Bank. Previously Christman was executive vice president of Huntington National Bank in Columbus, Ohio. She has worked in the banking industry for more than 35 years.

About Principal Bank

Principal Bank®, a member of the Principal Financial Group®, is an FDIC insured federal savings bank. Principal Bank focuses on delivering its banking products and services via other Principal Financial Group affiliates, the Internet or telephone. For more information, visit www.principalbank.com.

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About the Principal Financial Group

The Principal Financial Group® (The Principal®)1 is a global investment management leader offering retirement services, insurance solutions and asset management. The Principal offers businesses, individuals and institutional clients a wide range of financial products and services through its diverse family of companies. Founded in 1879 and a member of the FORTUNE 500®, the Principal Financial Group has $392.2 billion in assets under management2 and serves some 18.3 million customers worldwide from offices in Asia, Australia, Europe, Latin America and the United States. Principal Financial Group, Inc. is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol PFG. For more information, visit www.principal.com.

1 "The Principal Financial Group" and "The Principal" are registered service marks of Principal Financial Services, Inc., a member of the Principal Financial Group.
2 As of September 30, 2012.

The Principal
Sonja R. Sorrel, 515-362-2431
sorrel.sonja@principal.com
or
Terri Hale, 515-283-8858
hale.terri@principal.com