COCC ALLIES WITH DARLING CONSULTING GROUP, ADDS ALM SERVICES TO ORACLE-BASED FINANCIALS

AVON, CONN, December 15, 2003 - COCC, a provider of next generation financial technology, today announced its agreement with the Darling Consulting Group, Inc. (DCG) to provide a complete range of asset/liability software and consulting services to community financial institutions nationwide. Under the terms of this agreement, COCC will install a custom version of DCG's software, BASIS, train clients in its use, and support clients thereafter. Darling Consulting Group will provide consulting services to COCC clients that cover the complete range of financial management issues. The combination of DCG software and consulting services with COCC's Oracle-based Financial Suite will raise COCC's clients to the next level.

Rapidly changing financial markets plus new regulatory requirements have expanded the need for next generation financial management systems and consulting support. "Financial institutions need advanced information as well as training and analytical support to develop their strategic directions," said COCC president and CEO, Richard A. Leone. "The COCC-DCG alliance delivers all of these services at a level unsurpassed by any technology provider."

As a result of the COCC-Darling Consulting alliance, clients will be able to use COCC's Oracle-based Financial Management system with a custom version of BASIS, DCG's top-ranked asset/liability management system. Clients will also gain access to Darling Consulting Group's high profile, high level consulting and education services. COCC clients will receive in-depth support from the company's support staff, who will be thoroughly trained in the BASIS model as well as the full range of financial management systems.

"We are pleased to partner with COCC, a company which has cultivated the strongest reputation for service in the region," said George K. Darling, chief executive officer of the Darling Consulting Group. "With recent trends such as non-maturity deposit growth and increased uncertainty about future deposit retention, the need for thorough, tested analysis techniques has never been greater. We look forward to providing the best in financial management services to COCC's expanding market."

The Financial Management Suite with DCG's asset/liability software and consulting services will be marketed nationwide as part of COCC's expanding market initiative for ancillary products. COCC now offers several "ancillary" products to core and non-core clients. In addition to Financial Management, these products include electronic banking, check imaging, network management and Internet connectivity.

The COCC version of the BASIS asset/liability model offers customized screens and tailored functionality to deliver a highly-effective solution for community financial institutions. "We used the same approach with Oracle Financials," said Linda Stahl, AVP and manager of COCC's Ancillary Products Group. "We carefully analyzed the software, compared it with the needs of our community banking clients, and then tailored the software to meet those needs."

COCC also streamlined the flow of financial information to the BASIS model. "We not only provide general ledger information to the model, but loan, deposit, and investment information as well," Stahl reported. "Because COCC provides end-to-end processing and all the information used in the model, we are able to support our clients through every aspect of the asset/liability process."

Clients utilizing the DCG services will automatically receive a copy of Darling Consulting Group's monthly newsletter, the DCG Bulletin, which provides essential information, commentary and suggestions for addressing strategic financial management issues and concerns. COCC's BASIS clients may also take advantage of the full range of DCG advisory services, delivered by experts who are highly experienced at moving the asset/liability management process beyond budgeting and regulatory compliance to developing meaningful contributions to overall profitability.

"No other ALM company provides anything close to Darling Consulting Group's in-depth training and on-going consulting support," said COCC's Richard A. Leone. "And no other financial management system vendor comes close to the quality of COCC's Oracle-based Financial Management solutions tailored to the needs of community financial institutions. By combining DCG with COCC and Oracle, we have an unbeatable combination of financial management services."