first national bank of pandora selects cocc for technology partnership

AVON, Conn., March 13, 2008 – COCC, the region’s leading provider of next generation technology services for financial institutions, has expanded its presence in the state of Ohio with today’s announcement that First National Bank of Pandora has selected the company for a long term technology partnership. The $108M bank headquartered in Pandora, Ohio will broaden its product line, increase its efficiency, and strengthen its service delivery as a result of today’s announcement.

“COCC’s technology and support will enable First National Bank to compete product- for-product, service-for-service with the largest competitors in our area,” said Todd Mason, President and CEO of First National Bank of Pandora. “We are excited about the coming enhancements to our Internet banking product, the addition of remote deposit capture, and the introduction of productivity enhancements that will increase our efficiency and service quality.”

First National Bank of Pandora is an organization that continuously strives to encourage creative thinking and empower team members to provide financial solutions to the communities it serves. From its opening in 1919 and continuing through its placement of branches in Bluffton and Findlay, Ohio, the bank has maintained its focus on serving agriculture and small businesses while meeting the needs of retail customers in Putnam, Allen, Hancock and their contiguous counties of Ohio. First National Bank also attracts savers under age 14 with its Moola Moola Club as well as older residents with its Prestige 50 Club. 

“To compete with the large banks in this new, expanding market, we need efficiency,” said Mr. Mason. “COCC’s integrated system will give us faster access to a comprehensive view of each customer. These features will open the door to relationship banking and the ability to anticipate each customer’s financial needs.”

Doug Shaneyfelt, First National’s Assistant Vice President – Information Technology, added that COCC’s real time processing will give staff and customers a real advantage when managing the many banking channels available.

“Customers can have immediate access to deposited funds and see their transfers, ATM and debit card transactions as soon as they happen,” said Mr. Shaneyfelt. “That’s an important advantage in today’s online world, especially with our competitors using batch systems that may be updated hours or even days after transactions occur. That’s also an important advantage for our employees because they are able to respond to customers right away.”

Mr. Shaneyfelt added that COCC’s technology platform will enhance the bank’s Internet banking capabilities as well, turning First National’s website into the center of its customers’ Internet Banking experience. “We will be using a product delivered through a partnership between COCC and Online Resources Corporation that will enable First National’s customers to access their online accounts at any bank so they can transfer funds and pay bills however they want,” he said.

Additional new products include a remote deposit capture service for commercial customers and a check image capture capability at each of First National’s service locations to accelerate the presentment and collection of deposited checks.

“Wherever we looked, COCC had an outstanding answer,” said Mr. Shaneyfelt who examined the company’s risk management, business intelligence and financial management systems in addition to the account (core) processing platform. “We were impressed by the company’s ability to support its customers. As we considered four potential technology vendors, we kept coming back to COCC.”