Cohen unveils Vanguard, taps Bluewire as ASP.

Cohen Financial, one of the leading real estate finance companies in the United States, today unveiled Vanguard, a company-wide proactive technology-driven initiative. Conceived with the ultimate goal of providing superior service to Cohen Financial's customers, Vanguard will enable the company's real estate finance professionals to more effectively process transactions from the initial contact with the user of capital customer through to the closing. Jack M. Cohen, Chief Executive Officer, made the announcement.

"Our real estate finance professionals are already setting the benchmark for productivity, customer service and reliability in our industry. However, we believe that the strategic deployment of technology in support of our business model will enable us to raise the bar," said Cohen. "Vanguard is a commitment to support the needs of our sales teams. We recognize that our business is a people business and that the success of our sales teams will be tied to their strength in developing, growing and managing relationships. Once the Vanguard rollout is complete, our people will be technologically equipped to deliver a new level of performance to our expanding client base. Success in rolling out Vanguard will enable us to be 'high-tech, high-touch.'"

The first stage of the Vanguard initiative involved a comprehensive re-evaluation of all internal business processes, followed by a systemic reengineering of all systems and processes. Cohen Financial then carefully selected the technological solutions best suited to a new way of doing business.

Second, to automate parts of the commercial real estate finance fulfillment process, Cohen Financial will employ CapitalThinking's Bluewire ASP technology, which provides electronic data collection and loan packaging, pipeline and lender database management. Cohen Financial has been working closely with CapitalThinking to tailor the system to the specifications of its sales teams.

Third, in order to define and differentiate Cohen Financial in the market and establish a more consistent branding and marketing message, the company's Web site is undergoing a complete redesign as an "e-brochure" oriented toward different customer groups.

Fourth, new computer software and hardware systems are being installed, including an updated relationship management program and new email featuring calendaring and project management functions. Additionally, the firm is setting up an Internet-based phone system providing instant connections between all nine Cohen Financial offices nationwide.