Clarke American Installs Fraud Prevention Software.

Business Editors

SAN ANTONIO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 7, 2002

SecurityNet protects customers when making changes to check information

Clarke American, a provider of checks and innovative products and services, announced SecurityNet for Customers.

SecurityNet for Customers is the latest customer solution enhancement in Clarke American's continuing effort to combat and prevent fraud as it is related to check orders. The company introduced its fraud detection software to screen requests for address changes on check orders via the telephone earlier this year.

In August, Clarke American began using WJM Technologies' Early Warning(R) software to authenticate customer information when accepting address changes and new orders for checks. Previously, customers who needed to change their address or name on check orders were referred back to their financial institution. With SecurityNet, Clarke American customer service professionals can now accept these orders. To date more than 1,000 financial institutions have implemented the SecurityNet Program.

"SecurityNet for Customers enables us to offer a valuable service to our financial institutions and their customers, and it also provides a strong line of defense against potential for check fraud," said Kaari Swope, Clarke American's vice president and general manager of Customer Services. "SecurityNet allows us to place address change orders for customers on behalf of the financial institution. This improves the customer's experience while saving the institution time and money."

About WJM Technologies

WJM Technologies is the leader in new account fraud detection software. WJM provides front-end tools to help financial services firms and others identify potentially fraudulent accounts before they are opened and activated. Through its Early Warning(R) software product, WJM currently screens more than 70 percent of all new banking customer relationships in the United States. Its clients include many of the major banks, credit unions and mutual fund companies in the world.

About Clarke American Checks, Inc.

Clarke American Checks, Inc. is one of the largest security check printers to the financial services industry in the United States. At unmatched rates of accuracy and rapid delivery, Clarke American produces more than 11 billion personal and business checks a year in a variety of formats for more than 4,500 banks, credit unions, and other financial services companies nationwide. Financial services companies also rely on Clarke American to deliver direct marketing, customer services, e-Commerce solutions, treasury management documents, letterchecks, and other financial accessories. The company has more than 3,500 associates and a national network of electronically linked production facilities and customer service centers throughout the country.

Clarke American was honored by the U.S. Department of Commerce as a recipient of the Malcolm Baldrige National Award in 2001 in the category of manufacturing. The top honor a U.S. company can receive for quality management and quality achievement, the award promotes quality awareness and publicizes successful quality strategies. The Quality Texas Foundation also named the company as the sole recipient of the 2001 Texas Award for Performance Excellence. Fourteen state banking associations across the nation endorse Clarke American as their official check printer, and the company has been the nationally endorsed vendor for the Credit Union National Association for over 25 years. Clarke American is a subsidiary of Novar plc of Weybridge, Surrey, England. For more information about Clarke American, visit www.clarkeamerican.com.