Argo and Source Technologies Announce Partnership for New Branch Banking Technology

Charlotte, N.C. & Dallas, Texas, Nov. 12, 2003-ARGO Data Resource Corporation (ARGO), the leading provider of branch automation software with over a 50% market share among the nation's top banks, and Source Technologies, the primary providers of innovative solutions for secure payments and self-service systems, have partnered together to create an integrated branch self-service solution to enable banks to provide faster customer service, real-time host connectivity for monetary transactions, and reduced staffing levels in the branch.

The solution, which includes ARGO's BANKPRO Teller software and Source Technologies’ concourse™ ;self-service kiosk, supports numerous teller-assisted transactions for maximum operational efficiency at the teller line.

concourse brings exciting new levels of self-service functionality to the branch, supporting a variety of transactions types that up until now how been unavailable in a self-service environment, including: deposit, withdrawals and automatic cash back for odd amounts of cash utilizing cash recycling technology, check read/imaging in preparation for Check 21 readiness, and on-demand creation of MICR-encoded negotiable instruments. The concourse kiosk integrates to the concourse server to drive all devices and peripherals.

Integration to ARGO’s BANKPRO Teller software enables the concourse self-serve kiosk to communicate with the bank’s host system by going through ARGO’s Enterprise Commerce Server (ECS). Host communication allows customers using the self-service device to easily and seamlessly access information such as account type, balance, and recent transactions.

In addition, ARGO’s ECS routes information back to the branch server, enabling cashbox balancing, recording transaction activity in BANKPRO’s Electronic Journal, managing the branch business day cutoff time frames for standard business day processing.

"The integration between the concourse and ARGO’s BANKPRO Teller allows Source Technologies to save the bank both time and money through better FTE ratios, cash management and better customer service,” said Miles Busby, President of Source Technologies, “Accessing the host through ARGO’s system allows us to offer an end-to-end solution to banks.”

"As technology advances, there are endless opportunities to automate systems and processes that were inconceivable just five years ago,” said Dave Perkowski, Vice President, ARGO Systems Development, “ARGO’s ability to provide cutting-edge technology and integrate systems allows us to help move banks forward by providing seamless solutions.”

In a typical branch installation, up to four concourse kiosks will be linked to a single teller monitoring station, allowing as many as four customers to be serviced by the system concurrently. The system has the ability to share one or more printers, recyclers and other peripherals. Integration into the ARGO teller system translates to a rapid deployment for banks that are already running BANKPRO Teller.

At BAI Retail Delivery, November 17-20, 2003, BOOTH 1017 and BOOTH 2000:

Source Technologies will launch concourse at BAI’s Retail Delivery Show (RDS) in New Orleans, November 17-21, 2003 You can see concourse in Source Technologies Booth #1017 or IBM’s Smart Branch, Booth 2000. IBM has been selected as the fulfillment partner for large deployments, maintenance, and consulting services.

About Source Technologies
Source Technologies creates innovative, flexible solutions to give companies the power to control transactions, disbursements, and other secure business processes through dynamic hardware and software solutions and self-service terminals. With an increasing focus on automation through self-service, Source Technologies provides end-to-end solutions and system integration services in various industries, including financial services. We have enjoyed a successful customer track record because we build strength and value into every solution we offer.

About ARGO Data Resource Corporation:
A widely recognized market leader in integrated financial software technology solutions and services, ARGO Data Resource Corporation has relationships with over half of the top tier U.S. banks. With ARGO applications installed at more than 25,000 locations, processing over 5 million transactions every hour, ARGO architecture has obtained “industry standard” status.

ARGO’s long-standing success and market share position are a direct result of “best practice” solutions, reliable architecture, and a proven implementation track record. A private corporation driven by Main Street, not Wall Street, ARGO’s strong revenue growth and over twenty years of experience demonstrate stability and longevity that is unsurpassed in the software industry.