ATLANTA, Nov. 9, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- Harland Financial Solutions, Inc., a subsidiary of John H. Harland Company (NYSE:JH), has formed a strategic alliance with Fifth Third Bank Processing Solutions, the electronic payment processing division of Cincinnati-based Fifth Third Bank (Nasdaq:FITB). Fifth Third Bank Processing Solutions is one of the nation's oldest and largest third party Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) processors and a leading provider of card payment processing solutions to the financial services industry.
Through this alliance, Harland Financial Solutions and Fifth Third Bank Processing Solutions will enter into a partnership to deliver integrated, real-time and batch ATM and Debit Card validation to the community bank marketplace, specifically current and future SPARAK(r) System customers. These Harland Financial Solutions customers will receive high-level integration to the SPARAK System through a one-stop EFT solution. In addition, SPARAK System customers will receive Fifth Third's comprehensive suite of card payment solutions and correspondent banking services.
"Harland Financial Solutions is one of the most respected and experienced technology providers in the financial services industry today," said Paul Brunner, senior vice president of Fifth Third's Financial Institution Services. "They have a solid understanding of what it takes to help financial institutions stay competitive. Harland's solutions, combined with our complete line of EFT products, will provide a real competitive value to the mutual clients we serve."
Bill Zayas, senior vice president and general manager of Harland Financial Solutions' Bank Core Systems Group added, "We have been actively searching for the right EFT partner for quite some time. We feel we have found a solid partner in Fifth Third -- a partner which brings a robust suite of products designed to allow a flexible solution, enabling each bank to build a unique EFT environment. Fifth Third will bring tremendous benefits to SPARAK System customers seeking a wide array of EFT network solutions."
Designed exclusively for community banks, the SPARAK System provides a comprehensive, Windows-based core processing solution that works with virtually all of today's most advanced platforms. Due to its open architecture, banks are free to build a processing environment around their individual and unique needs. In addition, the SPARAK System is fully integrated with the entire Harland Financial Solutions suite of products.
SPARAK is a registered trademark of Harland Financial Solutions, Inc. All other brands and products or services are trademarks and/or service marks of their respective owners, may be registered, and should be treated appropriately.
About Fifth Third Bank Processing Solutions
Fifth Third Bank Processing Solutions is one of the nation's largest providers of credit, debit, EBT, ACH and check acceptance services. Established in 1973, Fifth Third's high-end in-house processing capabilities offer an unparalleled combination of flexibility, reliability, experience and proactive support. Fifth Third innovations include the development of JEANIE(r), the nation's first modern ATM network and Fifth Third Direct(SM), the industry-leading interactive, Internet-based back-office support system. As one of the four main businesses operated by Fifth Third Bancorp, headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, Fifth Third Bank Processing Solutions processes 10 billion ATM and POS transactions per year for more than 125,000 merchant locations and 1,350 financial institutions worldwide. More information may be found at www.53.com.
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 deposit & loan origination, platform, teller, call-center, mortgage, business intelligence, core systems, check imaging, item processing, document management, customer relationship management and compliance training software.
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.