ADVISORY/Clarke American President and CEO Charles Korbell to Address Media Prior to Malcolm Baldrige Award Presentation by President George W. Bush

Business Wire, March 4, 2002

News/Assignment Editors

ADVISORY...for Thursday (March 7)

--(BUSINESS WIRE)

    WHO:    Charles Korbell, president and CEO of Clarke American

    WHAT:   Media event prior to 2001 Malcolm Baldrige Awards
            Presentation Ceremony

    WHERE:  The Washington Hilton, Jefferson West Room

    WHEN:   Thursday, March 7, 2002
            8:00 a.m. (EST)

    WHY:    Clarke American Checks, Inc. is one of the largest security
            check printers to the financial institution industry in
            the United States.  Clarke American is the only recipient
            of the Malcolm Baldrige Award in the manufacturing category.

            Congress established the award program in 1987 to recognize
            U.S. organizations for their achievements in quality
            management and business excellence and to raise awareness
            about the importance of quality and performance excellence
            as a competitive edge. Three awards may be given annually
            in the categories of manufacturing, service, small business,
            education and health care. The U.S. Commerce Department's
            National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
            manages the Baldrige National Quality Program in close
            cooperation with the private sector.

            Studies by NIST, universities, business organizations, and
            the U.S. General Accounting Office have found that
            investing in quality principles and performance excellence
            pays off in increased productivity, satisfied employees and
            customers, and improved profitability--both for companies
            and investors. NIST has tracked a hypothetical stock
            investment in Baldrige Award recipients and applicants
            receiving site visits and has shown that these companies
            soundly outperform the Standard & Poor's 500.