IBT Becomes a CUNA Strategic Alliance

January 24, 2005

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Katye Long - CUNA Communications;
(608) 231-4038; klong@cuna.coop
klong@cuna.coop

MADISON, Wis. – Branch design and consulting services will be available to credit unions under an alliance agreement recently reached by CUNA & Affiliates and IBT, an Atlanta-based company.

IBT offers a comprehensive range of integrated services, including strategic consulting, market assessment, space planning, design, architecture and construction. The firm has 20 years’ experience in the design and consulting field, having worked with more than 175 retail and 500 financial services clients on the development of more than 2,400 workspaces. The firm handles in- store, storefront and freestanding locations.

“IBT is a recognized, leading provider of branch design and professional services for financial institutions,” said Wes Millar senior vice president of Strategic Services for CUNA. “Each credit union has a unique growth strategy, which IBT recognizes as it customizes assignments to address the credit union’s needs, whether for a cost-effective entry into new markets or a signature branch that members consider a destination for doing business.”

Offering an example of IBT’s integrated approach, Millar pointed to recommendations the company made for EECU of Fort Worth, Texas, to invigorate the credit union’s retail merchandising program. The merchandising program was a resounding success, and CUNA’s Marketing & Business Development Council awarded the credit union’s program with a “Diamond Award”, which is the credit union industry’s premier awards competition. This award was given to the credit union with the best overall branching strategy designed to enhance member awareness of credit union services.

“Through this alliance with CUNA we intend to better serve Credit Unions nationwide, by offering our vast knowledge of strategy, innovative design and service delivery,” said Mylle Mangum, chief executive officer of IBT. We are proud to be affiliated with CUNA, with its strong reputation and leadership, and we expect this alliance to benefit credit unions and their members.”

For more information, contact Shirley Mazanet, director of product management for CUNA’s Strategic Services at (800) 356-9655, ext. 4290 or at smazanet@cuna.coop.

About CUNA & Affiliates
With its network of affiliated state credit union leagues, Credit Union National Association (CUNA) serves more than 90 percent of America’s 9,300 credit unions, which are owned by nearly 86 million consumer members. Credit unions are not-for-profit cooperatives providing affordable financial services to people from all walks of life. CUNA Strategic Services, Inc. (CSSI), owned jointly by CUNA and the state leagues, provides credit unions with access to high quality products, services and technologies delivered with a competitive advantage made possible through volume pricing and strategic program development.

About IBT
IBT is a leading source of forward thinking designs and ideas in the arena of branch banking. Over its 20-year history, the Company has consulted to more than 175 retail and 500 financial services clients on the development of more than 2,400 workspaces. IBT offers a comprehensive range of integrated services, including retail distribution strategy, market research, space planning, design architecture, and construction. IBT is headquartered in Atlanta, GA., and can be found on the Web at www.ibtsource.com.

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