Clarke American Spreads `Pride in America' Check Designs

Business Wire, Sept 19, 2001

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SAN ANTONIO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 19, 2001

Donations from Check Orders will be given to The September 11th Fund

In response to America's recent tragedy, Clarke American, one of the nation's largest providers of checks and innovative products and services, will donate $1 for every check order and $.50 from every label order of the Pride in America(R) design to The September 11th Fund that was established by The United Way and The New York Community Trust.

The Pride in America check design depicts a simple American flag.

"We've seen through these terrible acts the incredible resiliency of the American people," said Don Dolan, vice president and general manager of Clarke American's Credit Union Division. "Americans coast-to-coast want to reach out and help in any and every way available, and Clarke American is no different. Through this program, credit union members nationwide will be able to display their patriotism, and know that they're helping those in need."

Clarke American will be promoting this relief effort on its Internet ordering systems and call centers. Pride in America will appear as the featured check on clarkeamerican@home for 60 days, however the contributions from these check and label orders will continue for at least 1 year.

Dolan continued, "The money we raise in the short term will aide those hurt by these acts of terrorism. But the impact on our spirit of community and our renewed sense of patriotism will endure."

About the September 11th Fund

The United Way and The New York Community Trust established The September 11th Fund to mobilize resources to respond to the urgent needs of victims and their families affected by these attacks. One hundred percent of donations will be used to support the needed services for victims and their families. United Way and The New York Community Trust are underwriting all administrative costs.

About Clarke American

Clarke American Checks, Inc., headquartered in San Antonio, is one of the largest specialty printers of financial institution checks in the United States. Since 1975, Clarke American has been helping credit unions with unique services such as InTouch(R) Messaging, a direct marketing alternative, and ServiceLine Plus(SM), a co-sourced call center solution.

Producing more than 11 billion checks per year, Clarke American has an unmatched 99.92 percent printing accuracy rate in the industry. In 2001, Clarke American was the sole recipient of the Texas Quality Award, which is based on the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality criteria. The award is an annual recognition of Texas organizations that excel in performance excellence and application of outstanding quality principles in their day-to-day operations.

For more information about Clarke Americans Credit Union products and services, contact Don Dolan at don_j_dolan@clarkeamerican.com or 210.690.6485. Visit its Internet site at www.clarkeamerican.com or http://creditunions.clarkeamerican.com.

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