Banknorth Upgrades to Sterling Commerce's VECTOR Returns Solution to Maximize Use of Images.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

ADDISON, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 12, 2003

Sterling Commerce's Banking Systems Division, a subsidiary of SBC Communications Inc. (NYSE:SBC) and a worldwide leading provider of banking transaction applications, has announced that Banknorth Group, Inc., a $26 billion banking and financial services company, has licensed the VECTOR Returns Solution to leverage their use of check images. Banknorth is New England's third largest banking company and one of the 35 largest commercial banking companies in the United States.

The VECTOR Returns Solution is designed to help banks automate workflow and reduce manual steps significantly, while it creates dynamic revenue opportunities through new services and fee structures. VECTOR Returns Solution also reduces operational risk through the faster processing of incoming returns and the immediate posting of chargebacks to prevent possible losses and automatic placing of extended holds for large dollar notifications.

The bank had previously licensed Sterling Commerce's VECTOR:Five system for return item processing. "While developing an implementation schedule with Banknorth, we suggested that they take a look at additional modules and added capabilities that had been created since they licensed VECTOR:Five," said Tim Simeone, vice president of the Sterling Commerce Banking Systems Division.

The VECTOR Returns Solution is scalable and expands upon the capabilities of VECTOR:Five. It is a thin-client solution with a Web presentation capability that handles both paper and electronic returns, including RCK processing.

"We certainly wanted to derive the most benefit we could from the VECTOR products," said Joe Hanson, executive vice president, Banknorth. "By implementing the total Returns Solution, we will be able to process inbound returns and exceptions from images instead of paper. We believe the efficiencies we will be able to create in the image environment, and by automating notifications, will more than justify the additional investment."

About Sterling Commerce

Sterling Commerce, a wholly owned subsidiary of SBC Communications Inc. (NYSE:SBC) is one of the world's largest providers of business integration solutions. For Global 5000 companies and their customers, suppliers and partners, Sterling Commerce software and services help maximize business performance and improve business metrics through integration of applications, external partner systems and people. With more than 25 years of experience serving more than 30,000 customers in a vast range of industries, Sterling Commerce is a recognized pioneer in electronic commerce through its longstanding expertise in EDI. Today, as customers explore new ways to improve business performance via the Internet, Sterling Commerce continues to innovate its software and services to further the global adoption of e-commerce while offering its customers strategic solutions that leverage existing technology. For more information about Sterling Commerce or the 2003 Customer Conference, call 800-873-7945 and ask for program B-20NR or visit www.sterlingcommerce.com.

SBC Communications Inc. (www.sbc.com) is one of the world's leading data, voice and Internet services providers. Through its world-class networks, SBC companies provide a full range of voice, data, networking and e-business services, as well as directory advertising and publishing. A Fortune 30 company, America's leading provider of high-speed DSL Internet Access services, and one of the nation's leading Internet Service Providers, SBC companies currently serve 58 million access lines nationwide. In addition, SBC companies own 60 percent of America's second-largest wireless company, Cingular Wireless, which serves more than 22 million wireless customers. Internationally, SBC companies have telecommunications investments in 25 countries.