Creative Performance Solutions, Inc. Introduces Paragon.

Business Editors, High-Tech Writers

BROOKFIELD, Wis.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 9, 2000

After years of intense development effort, Creative Performance Solutions, Inc. has released Paragon -- a management planning and information system specifically designed for the banking industry. Paragon uses available data and summarizes it in ways that highlight key performance factors for CEO's, CFO's and managers so that they can better understand their business and make more timely and accurate decisions for improving it. Now any bank can get a sophisticated tool to support a forecasting and accountability process that major banks have used to sharply improve earnings.

What is most exciting is the way in which Paragon provides budgeting and forecasting capabilities specifically for the banking industry. Banks can now forecast earnings based on income drivers like product volumes and interest spreads, not just average balances. No longer do banks have to do their budgeting and forecasting with a cumbersome system that forces planning at the wrong level of detail without real measures that drive bank performance. Built-in variance analysis of actual-to-plan against these same drivers also helps users identify potential issues quickly and improve projections.

In Paragon, spreadsheet-like screens update instantly when a driver value is changed while doing product forecasts. The year is always open for forecasting and all data is available to a user for ad hoc analysis. Additionally, funds transfer pricing and cost allocation data can be easily integrated into the system.

Paragon also provides a complete set of standard reports -- available at any level of the organization from cost center to holding company -- designed with an appropriate level of detail for planning and performance measurement. Reports are generated in seconds and a unique Management Highlights report is provided to focus senior management attention on the most critical performance measures.

Microsoft and Intel technology provides the platform for Paragon. The system uses to latest OLAP technology to revolutionize the availability of information for ad hoc reporting and financial analysis. Paragon is network optimized, runs on low-cost equipment, and rolls up data in real time as managers change their forecasts. Updates to the data and software are also distributed automatically whenever a user connects to the system.

Paragon's technological advance is an important part of a package of management processes and services that CPS provides to banks. With the approach used, banks can significantly improve accountability, profitability, and shareholder return.

Creative Performance Solutions, Inc. is a financial industry consulting organization whose mission is to implement systems and processes that improve a bank's earning potential and enhance shareholder value. Their corporate offices are located at 250 N. Sunnyslope Road, Suite 128, Brookfield, WI 53005. They can be reached at 262-782-8600 (ask for Larry Foat) or at http://www.CreativePerformance.com.