LUDINGTON, Mich., Dec. 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- West Shore Bank Corporation (Pink Sheets: WSSH.PK) today announced an officer appointment at its subsidiary bank. R. Lee Schoenherr, Chairman of the Board of Directors of West Shore Bank, is pleased to announce the appointment of Raymond A. Biggs to the position of President and Chief Operating Officer. Biggs will join the bank on February 2, 2009. Thomas A. Van Buren will continue to serve as the Bank's Chief Executive Officer until his retirement next May. At that time, Biggs will take over as President and Chief Executive Officer, according to Schoenherr.

Schoenherr stated that the Board of Directors initiated their search for Van Buren's replacement several months ago. Candidates from throughout Michigan and the Midwest were considered.

A native of the Detroit area, Biggs received his Bachelor Degree from Alma College and an MBA from the University of Detroit. Biggs, his wife Kristen and their four children will be relocating to Mason County early next year.

Biggs' banking career began in 1991. He has held senior management positions at various levels, most recently as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Michigan Heritage Bank in Farmington Hills. It was this diverse background that made Biggs the natural candidate to succeed Van Buren, according to Schoenherr.

West Shore Bank, with assets over $325 million, has been serving the financial needs of Mason, Manistee and Oceana counties for over 110 years. West Shore Bank currently has eight offices in Ludington, Scottville, Fountain, Manistee, Hart and Walkerville.

SOURCE West Shore Bank Corporation