ATLANTA, Aug. 26, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- Six additional banks have signed agreements to implement Harland Financial Solutions' SPARAK System(r) in-house core banking solution, the company announced today. Harland Financial Solutions, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of John H. Harland Company (NYSE:JH). The SPARAK System currently services 294 clients across the United States.
With $79 million in assets, Liberty Bell Bank of Cherry Hill, New Jersey recently expanded its existing relationship with the financial services vendor by signing an agreement to process with the SPARAK System. Specializing in commercial lending and retail banking, the bank emphasizes high-touch, high-tech banking and knowing their customers through the use of technology. Liberty Bell also utilizes Harland Financial Solutions' Laser Pro(r), Deposit Pro(r), Sales Pro(r), CheckQuest(r), CaptureQuest(r) and the Intrieve in-house check printing system. By implementing the SPARAK System, Liberty Bell will be able to leverage the easy integration of their core system with these other products, providing enhanced operational efficiency.
Further extending its relationship with Harland Financial Solutions, 91-year-old Farmer's Trust & Savings Bank also reached an agreement to utilize the SPARAK System. The bank, located in Buffalo Center, Iowa and with assets of $115 million, plans to convert in October 2005. In conjunction with the SPARAK System, the bank will use CheckQuest for item processing and CaptureQuest for electronic document management. The bank cited its present relationship with Harland Financial Solutions, and the knowledge that it will receive quality service, as reasons for its selection. Migrating to the SPARAK System will enable the bank to transition from manual to electronic processes, thereby dramatically improving its efficiencies and enhancing the service it offers customers.
Although new to using the SPARAK System, Alliance Development Fund of Colorado and The State Bank of Wheaton in Minnesota are not new to working with Harland Financial Solutions. In addition to BankServ, Alliance Development Fund currently uses financial.center(tm) for loan processing, while The State Bank of Wheaton also uses Harland checks, Deposit Pro and Laser Pro, and will implement CheckQuest as part of its new agreement. Other new SPARAK System clients include the Bank of Alapaha, Alapaha, Georgia and Janesville State Bank, Janesville, Minnesota.
"This comprehensive core system is an excellent fit for community banks looking to maximize productivity and improve customer service," said Bill Zayas, senior vice president and general manager of the SPARAK System. "Together, with the Harland Financial Solutions family of products, the SPARAK System offers industry leading integration, empowering any institution to implement a total solution based on its specific needs and business goals."
About Harland Financial Solutions
Harland Financial Solutions (www.harlandfinancialsolutions.com) supplies software and services to over 6,000 financial institutions of all sizes, offering its solutions in both an in-house and service bureau environment. Harland Financial Solutions delivers core systems, item processing, payment processing, electronic document management, financial accounting systems, electronic documents, deposit & loan origination, customer relationship management, compliance training, branch automation, check & MICR printing, mortgage lending and solutions consulting.
About Harland
Atlanta-based John H. Harland Company (NYSE:JH) (www.harland.net) is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "JH." Harland is a leading provider of software and printed products to the financial institution market. Harland's software solutions include, deposit & loan origination, platform, teller, call-center, mortgage, business intelligence, core systems, and customer relationship management systems. Harland's printed products offerings include checks, direct marketing and financial forms. Scantron Corporation (www.scantron.com), a wholly owned subsidiary, is a leading provider of software services and systems for the collection, management and interpretation of data to the financial, commercial and educational markets.
This press release contains statements, which may constitute "forward-looking statements." These statements include statements regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of John H. Harland Company and members of its respective management, as well as the assumptions on which such statements are based. Prospective investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties and that actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements. Reference is made to the Risk Factors and Cautionary Statements in Harland's Form 10-K and Form 10-Q filed under the Securities Exchange Act.