ATLANTA, Sept. 12, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- Continuing to expand its business and customer base, Harland Financial Solutions hosted a record breaking 1,750 attendees at its 4th Annual Connections Conference. Rivaling leading industry tradeshows, the four-day event has grown significantly with attendance more than doubling since its inception in 2002. A new addition to last year's conference was the Partner Expo exhibit, which this year has expanded to include 75 strategic business partners. Harland Financial Solutions, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of John H. Harland Company (NYSE:JH).
Held in San Diego, Calif., this year's conference offered more than 275 sessions and showcased multiple product demonstrations in Innovations Station. Keynote speaker Captain James Lovell, Jr., NASA Pioneer and Commander of Apollo 13, addressed guests during the opening session. Lovell delivered a motivational and energetic talk, sharing his extensive experience as a naval aviator and participant in the space program. A notable list of guest speakers, including representatives from Andrews Federal Credit Union, Bank Systems & Technology Magazine, Cornerstone Advisors, Credit Union Tech-Talk, Microsoft Corporation, TD Banknorth, Inc. and Tower Group also presented throughout the week.
Attendees find the event worthwhile because it provides a mix of educational sessions on all of the company's products, as well as networking opportunities with peers and industry experts. According to Keith Malbrue, CIO of Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union, "As users of several Harland solutions, we truly benefit from interacting with the product experts to learn more about integration points and how the solutions will continue to support us as we grow. We also find the ability to participate in multiple users' group meetings for the various products that we own is extremely cost effective."
Harland Financial Solutions' executives view the conference as a chance to strengthen existing relationships with clients while providing them with a value-added opportunity to learn in greater detail about their current and future technology investments.
"We hope our clients walk away from this event with a better understanding of how Harland Financial Solutions fits into their business strategy and fully realizing our commitment to improving financial institution performance," said Scott Hansen, vice president of marketing and business development at Harland Financial Solutions. "We are extremely pleased with the exceptional turnout and remarkable success of this year's conference."
During the closing session, Hansen announced preparations are already underway for Connections 2006 which will be held in Orlando, Fla., August 7-10 at the Walt Disney World(R) Swan and Dolphin Hotel.
About Harland Financial Solutions
Harland Financial Solutions (www.harlandfinancialsolutions.com) supplies software and services to thousands of financial institutions of all sizes, offering its solutions in both an in-house and service bureau environment. Harland Financial Solutions is a leader in 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 solution 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.