Commerce Bank Implements AFS ImageVision Fraud Detection Software to Combat Check Fraud.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

OKLAHOMA CITY--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 10, 2003

Image-Based Fraud Detection Tools Offer Additional Safeguard for

Bank and Customers -- from the Back Office to the Teller Line

Advanced Financial Solutions, Inc. (AFS), a leading provider of image-based check processing solutions to the banking industry announced today that Commerce Bank, of Cherry Hill, New Jersey, has begun implementing AFS ImageVision Fraud Detection software applications across the bank's 220+ branch locations.

Check fraud is among the fastest-growing problems affecting financial institutions with check fraud attempts at U.S. banks almost doubling to $4.3 billion annually (according to the latest American Bankers Association Deposit Account Fraud Survey). With the rising incidence of identity theft and high-tech forgery, a significant portion of the overall loss occurs in personal accounts. AFS ImageVision Fraud Detection software applications protect financial institutions and their customers with the technology tools and vital information needed to stop most check frauds before they become losses.

Prior to implementing the AFS ImageVision Fraud Detection software applications Commerce Bank had been using a non-image based system that focused on transaction-based fraud such as duplicate check numbers and various other unusual patterns of account related activity. Commerce Bank is one of the fastest growing banks in the United States, opening up 41 new branches in 2002 and looking to expand from 220 branch offices to 375 by the year 2005. Expansion into new markets is causing a great need for sophisticated image-based fraud detection solutions.

Commerce Bank processes over one million items a day, 25 million items per month. That type of check volume requires a comprehensive, image-based approach to check fraud detection. After a thorough evaluation of all the fraud detection applications available, Commerce Bank selected AFS and the ImageVision Fraud Detection software applications, including Fraud Detection Filters and TellerVision. Commerce Bank successfully implemented AFS Positive Pay and Payee Recognition in October 2003.

The AFS ImageVision Fraud Detection Filters are a unique set of transaction "filters" that can be calibrated to catch specific types of check fraud on contact, such as "new account" or "counterfeit" check fraud. The Fraud Filters analyze payment patterns and identify suspect items before they become losses. Said Roy D. Spooner, VP/Manager of Item Processing Services of Commerce Bank, "The AFS Fraud application presents the full transaction set, failure reasons, and similar item images for the Fraud Analyst to review. There is no guesswork and missed analysis. The system also provides a recorded history of decisions made to assist in research and user training."

In addition to the Fraud Filters, Commerce Bank is implementing the AFS TellerVision application to battle check fraud. Bank and bank customer losses resulting from signature forgery are dramatically increasing every year. Forgers are getting more and more "professional" -- as both hardware and software equipment for forgery become less expensive and easy to obtain. AFS Teller Vision extends the reach of fraud detection to the teller window. With TellerVision, the Commerce Bank branch tellers are presented on-screen images and signature information needed to authenticate potential check frauds before they are accepted. Tellers review the image of the signature card on the screen next to the checks that require review. By allowing the tellers to review the signature cards with the items as they come through the teller line, fraudulent checks are immediately identified and losses are prevented. The primary advantage of signature verification is that signatures are already accepted as the common method of identity verification. This history of trust means that bank customers are very willing to accept a signature-based verification system. Said Marilyn Faust, Commerce Bank Manager - IP Infrastructure Group, "TellerVision detects fraudulent checks as they are presented at Commerce Bank's teller windows. Our losses are minimized and our customers are protected from forged checks by the inclusion of this crucial real-time checkpoint."

Commerce Bank implemented the AFS Positive Pay and Payee Recognition solutions in October 2003, in the back office, and will roll it out across their branch network with the conversion to the new teller system. Positive Pay will allow Commerce Bank's corporate customers to immediately verify specific checks issued, as well as perform "payee matches" for names and amounts before accepting the items for cash or deposit. Said Marilyn Faust, "Positive Pay is a proactive process that protects our bank's commercial customers by giving them the ability to make return decisions during the critical first 24 hours. This is especially useful for our commercial clients with heavy payment volumes, and helps protect against sophisticated criminal activity. At Commerce Bank our customers are our most important asset and Positive Pay will allow us to partner with our customers in the battle against check fraud."

Said Marilyn Faust, "The AFS ImageVision Fraud Detection Software has made our workforce more adept at using imaging technology to fight check fraud. A significant amount of check fraud involves new accounts, both personal and corporate, opened by criminals with the express intent of defrauding the bank. The image-based AFS Fraud Detection software applications have truly helped us identify, detect, and prevent this growing problem."

Said Gary Nelson, AFS President and CEO, "We are delighted that the AFS ImageVision Fraud Detection Software has met Commerce Bank's high standards. The AFS ImageVision Fraud Detection Software is another example of how we are leveraging imaging technology to save financial institutions and their valued customers millions of dollars in potential fraud losses."

About Advanced Financial Solutions

Founded in 1992, AFS has delivered high-quality image-based and conventional check processing solutions to the financial industry. AFS was one of the first companies to offer image and item processing technology based on the Microsoft Windows NT operating environment. All AFS item imaging solutions are designed from the ground up with the functionality that banks and remittance processors need for operating in a high capacity transaction-based environment. Headquartered in Oklahoma City, AFS maintains offices worldwide.

About Commerce Bank

Commerce Bank has assets exceeding $22 billion and more than 275 branches serving metro New York, New Jersey, eastern Pennsylvania, and northern Delaware. Commerce is maintaining an aggressive expansion pace, working toward a total asset goal of $50 billion and a branch network of 515 offices by the year 2007. The bank plans to add 45 to 50 new locations throughout New York, New Jersey, eastern Pennsylvania and Delaware during 2003. For more information about Commerce, please visit the company's interactive financial service resource center at www.commerceonline.com.