New SAS Office in Charlotte, NC, Targets Financial Services Industry; As Banks' Business Intelligence Software Needs Evolve, SAS Will Be with Them

Business Wire, July 18, 2006

CARY, N.C. -- SAS, the leader in business intelligence, opened a new regional office this week in the nation's second-largest banking city: Charlotte, North Carolina. Behind only New York City, Charlotte is a growing market for financial services and SAS.

Financial services is SAS' largest industry segment by revenue, contributing 39.5 percent of the total company revenue in 2005. That number is expected to grow as banks increase efforts to build loyalty among the right customers, fight fraud and money laundering, manage credit, market and operational risk and meet rigorous compliance requirements. SAS is positioned in the market, and now in the location, to help them with those efforts.

"With 30 years of experience in financial services, SAS works closely with top financial institutions to provide timely solutions that address critical business needs," said Jim Davis. "Many of those customers are located in Charlotte, and as they continue to grow, we must ensure we can address their needs with sales and support services. This new office will give us the proximity that we need to work together, as well as provide more space, to meet the growing demand for training."

SAS data integration, analytics, risk management, regulatory compliance, customer relationship management and other software is used by more than 2,900 financial institutions worldwide, including 96 percent of banks in the Fortune Global 500. SAS' industry expertise is evidenced by long-term relationships with customers including Wachovia, AXA Financial, Dreyfus, First Citizens Bank & Trust Co, Hang Seng Bank, HSBC, ING Bank and U.S. Bancorp.

The new office opened July 17 and features a training center and abundant meeting space. The 12,000-square-foot office is located inside Interstate Tower at the corner of busy Trade and Tryon streets - a prime downtown location.

SAS field staff in the Charlotte area has doubled over the last three years, reflecting an increase in business there. The new office opened with 10 employees and has flex space for visitors and home office employees.

About SAS

SAS is the leader in business intelligence software and services. Customers at 40,000 sites use SAS software to improve performance through insight into vast amounts of data, resulting in faster, more accurate business decisions; more profitable relationships with customers and suppliers; compliance with governmental regulations; research breakthroughs; and better products. Only SAS offers leading data integration, intelligence storage, advanced analytics and traditional business intelligence applications within a comprehensive enterprise intelligence platform. Since 1976, SAS has been giving customers around the world The Power to Know(R). www.sas.com

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