Clarke American Debuts Comprehensive Checking Account Promotion Kit.

Business Editors

SAN ANTONIO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 23, 2000

Three complete programs and a one-time introductory rate on checks

helps credit unions attain primary financial institution status

Clarke American, the fastest growing provider of checks and related products and services in the United States, has released a new, comprehensive checking account marketing kit.

The kit provides three comprehensive marketing programs on CD-Rom with all graphics, text, forms and collateral materials. A 90-day one-time, introductory rate on check purchases for participating, new checking members is available through any of these programs. According to the company, the main goal in creating the kit was to provide all-inclusive, cost-effective and turnkey programs for partners that would allow them to promote share draft accounts as a means to establish primary financial institution status with members.

Don Dolan, vice president and general manager of Clarke American's Credit Union Division, noted that company research demonstrates that credit unions that have a strong share draft program show sound financial health in categories such as higher loan-to-share ratio, lower delinquency ratios and faster growth rates overall. Further, these financial institutions exhibit more successful ATM, credit card and debit card programs and are better able to offer more services and conveniences to members.

Dolan said, "It is commonly known in the industry that if a member has a share draft account, they are more likely to use other products and services; however, at this point most of the checks written by member households are not from a credit union account. Our new marketing kit provides three separate campaigns with all the tools credit unions need to promote the benefits of share draft accounts to members."

There are three campaign themes: Dare to Compare(R), Accountability(sm) and Explore the Value of Membership(sm). Each campaign provides pre-designed marketing materials including:

      --  account closure, direct deposit and automatic payment change
        form

      --  statement stuffer

      --  postcard

      --  on-hold message copy

      --  poster artwork in two sizes

      --  newsletter article copy

      --  Internet banner ad

Flashcards and statement stuffers with the check designs linked to these programs are also available to credit unions participating in this program.

Additionally, to make it easier for credit union employees to use the kit, Clarke American has provided a training outline and materials to assist in the introduction of the checking account promotion campaign of their choice to credit union employees.

"Clarke American's high standards of excellence have allowed us to provide for every detail for these promotional campaigns - down to the training of credit union employees, "said Dolan. "It's just another example of our commitment to our partners needs."

About Clarke American

Clarke American Checks, Inc., headquartered in San Antonio is the fastest growing provider of checks and related products and services in the United States. Since 1975, Clarke American has helped credit unions increase member satisfaction, reduce operating costs, gain primary financial institution status and streamline the check ordering process. Producing more than 10 billion checks per year, Clarke American has an unmatched 99.92 percent printing accuracy rate in the industry.

Clarke American's unique services include InTouch* Messaging and ServiceLine Plus(SM). InTouch digital printing technology can be used to send a general introduction message about new products and services, announce branch openings or make a targeted offer to a specific member. ServiceLine Plus is a service offered to partnering credit unions, and was developed as part of Clarke American's service innovations to facilitate the check reorder and inquiry process.

For additional information about Clarke American's Credit Union products and services, contact Julie Faulkner, director of Marketing at [phone], write 10931 Laureate Drive, San Antonio, Texas 78249 or email [e-mail]. Visit its Internet sites at http://creditunions.clarkeamerican.com or www.clarkeamerican.com.