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| News Briefs |
 SunGard’s Common Services Architecture Enters Proof-of-Concept Stage- SocGen Rolls out Xenomorph’s TimeScape
- Microsoft and Zend Team on Web Transaction Security
- StarCompliance Software Launches New Cutting-Edge Compliance Products
- World’s Oldest Bank Implements Microsoft-based Payments System
- Cathay Life Insurance Boosts Sales with Mobile Solution
- Ring2 Supports Windows Mobile Devices
- Raymond James Taps Blue Frog for Annuities Processing
- Digipede Network 2.0 Furthers Microsoft Integration
- Fidessa LatentZero Expands in Japan
- Reuters Selects Vhayu for Wealth Management Services
- TD Banknorth Selects CheckFree for Fraud Detection Capabilities
| | News Briefs |
 Ten More Spanish Banks Select SunGard’s BancWare- Jefferies Prime Brokerage Partners With Linedata
- IP Commerce Pushes Reseller Program
- Microsoft Buys Parlano
- Formicary Becomes Microsoft Certified Partner
- Brazil’s Mellon Serviços Financeiros Selects Charles River
- Microsoft Aids South African Startup
- XSP Partners with Web Services Integration Limited to Offer Withholding Tax Reclamation
- SlaterLabs Signs Two-Year Support Contract with Microsoft
- Wolters Kluwer Ships Microsoft .NET Version of Expere
- Clear2Pay Delivers Open Payments Framework on Microsoft Platforms
- Fiserv-CheckFree Aims for Both Core Processing and Online Lead
| | News Briefs |  Data Connection: A Look at the Future Thomson-Reuters- Lab49 Creates Microsoft Windows Presentation Foundation Practice
 Metavante Gains Independence- Liquidnet Acquires Miletus Trading
 Fidelity Buys Asset Control
Which Buys TAP Solutions
News from ACORD LOMA
 Microsoft Assists in
Developments of ACORD Insurance Capability Model- Exstream Introduced
Dialogue Live for Agents in the Field
- Progressive Migrates Mainframe-based Policy Management to
Microsoft, Speeds Service
- New Capgemini Global
Insurance Team Serves Six of Largest Global
Insurers
| | News Briefs | - Chubb Links Claims Operations to Auto Body Shops
- Microsoft and Partners Launch MiFID Initiative
- CheckFree and Corillian, Together Again
- SunGard’s Latest Acquisition Spree
- Latest INDATA Version Includes Mobile and ASP Modules
- Research Note: MiFID, Reg NMS to Increase Dark Pools
- Goldman Sachs Offers Connotate to Global Investor Clients
- Spreadsheet Compliance is the New Black
- Metavante Duplicate Detection Hits Lightning Speed
- Survey: Data Silo Integration is Still Manual
- SAP-SWIFT Integration to be Available Mid-2007
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LavaX Supports Options and Futures Trading
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Lava Trading, the innovative technology firm that develops high-performance trading solutions for financial services is now offering derivatives trading to its buy-side customers through its multi-broker LavaX platform. It lets the buy-side access hidden liquidity. Features include NYSE OpenBook integration, ease of use improvements for initiating and modifying orders, and advanced algorithmic parameters and depth for account allocation. Eighteen sponsoring brokers are currently available through the LavaX system, along with eleven algorithmic trading routes and two introducing broker relationships.
www.lavatrading.com
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Grain Dealers Mutual Moves to Insurity
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 Grain Dealers Mutual Insurance Co. has upgraded its policy administration capabilities with Policy Decisions from Insurity. The Web-based application provides complete policy lifecycle administration.
David Patterson, assistant vice president and director of information services for the Indianapolis-based property-casualty insurer, said the accessibility afforded by Policy Decisions’ use of Microsoft’s .NET architecture was a plus.
“The promise of .NET is access and self-service,” Patterson said. “The world runs on the Internet. We have to offer our applications in a Web services environment that lets agents and policyholders handle many of their own transactions without help.”
The flexible integration that Insurity offered was valuable for Grain Dealers, he added.
“We will be able to leverage Policy Decisions’ flexible integration with our existing systems to go in and analyze our own data. It is a giant leap forward in our ability to manage our business better,” he said.
“The Windows .NET platform is removing integration roadblocks,” said Bill Hartnett, general manager of Microsoft’s Insurance Solutions Group. “It is enabling insurers to connect information, people, systems and devices through software. Policy Decisions demonstrates .NET’s ability to integrate systems and make information accessible to the people who need it.”
www.graindealers.com
www.insurity.com
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Pemco ATMs Go To Stratus
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 To support growing transaction volumes Pemco Technologies has deployed four Stratus ftServer 5700 systems, two for daily transactions and two at a backup site for business continuity and disaster recovery.
“Our daily transaction load has risen more than 50 percent since we installed our first Stratus servers, and we have not experienced any unplanned hardware downtime,” said Dan Cook, CEO of Pemco Technologies. “The ftServer systems have proven their worth to us and the financial institutions that depend on us.”
Pemco Technologies, based in Seattle, specializes in pass-through processing for financial institutions that choose in-house credit, debit, and ATM processing. At Pemco, the fault-tolerant Stratus systems connect to several debit networks, drive hundreds of ATMs, and process millions of PIN debit transactions monthly for financial institutions nationwide.
The Stratus ftServer 5700 system, unveiled in January, is the industry’s first fault-tolerant server to use Dual-Core Intel Xeon processors technology. It supports the Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Enterprise Edition operating system and delivers better than 99.999 percent uptime reliability.
www.stratus.com
www.pemcotech.com
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TD Banknorth Taps Fiserv for Auto Lending Made Easy
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TD Banknorth has chosen the Fiserv Lending Solutions Loan Origination System (LOS) for its automotive fi nancing operations. Fiserv’s LOS provides an easy-to-use, rulesbased credit processing and funding system that enables the bank to respond quickly to market needs without IT involvement. “With Fiserv Lending Solutions as our system provider, we are able to grow our business with confi dence and without increasing our staffi ng levels,” said John Giard, the bank’s senior vice president of consumer lending. “LOS requires little staff training time and positions TD Banknorth for easy integration of online dealer applications and e-documents.”
www.TDBanknorth.com
www.fiservlendingsolutions.com
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Go Retro – Synch Windows Mobile 2003 with Exchange
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 DataViz has launched a version of RoadSync, its Exchange ActiveSync client that works with Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition software. In addition to wirelessly synchronizing e-mail, attachments, calendar and contacts, this edition of RoadSync supports new mobility features added in Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 Service Pack 2 (SP2) such as: direct push technology, remote wipe, global address list lookup and IT policy enforcement. These have been available for the latest versions of Windows Mobile 5.0. This new version of RoadSynch provides IT departments with the ability to support older mobile devices in a more secure and managed way.
DataViz will also offer RoadSync for Windows Mobile 5.0. This version will build upon the current wireless synchronization capabilities while adding support for new Exchange 2007 productivity features such as: e-mail flagging, online mailbox search and support for linked SharePoint files.
www.dataviz.com
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Digital Resolve’s New No Phishing Effort
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Digital Resolve, a provider of transparent risk-based authentication will support the Microsoft Phishing Filter by providing data feeds from Digital Resolve’s Trusted Server Technology. These new feeds will help provide real-time, front-line protection for consumers against phishing attacks. Introduced in July 2005, Microsoft Phishing Filter helps protect millions of customers from phishing scams when they are browsing the Internet and is available via the new Windows Live Toolbar, which launched in final release last month, in Windows Internet Explorer 7 for Windows XP Service Pack 2, and in Windows Vista, both currently in beta testing.
“We were impressed with the quality of Digital Resolve’s data feeds, and they have become an important addition to our rich network of data provider partners,” said Alan Packer, product unit manager of the anti-phishing team at Microsoft Corp. “This agreement underscores Microsoft’s goal of employing a broad range of data sources from both third parties and end-users to help protect customers from the threat of phishing.” The new data feed supplied to Microsoft as part of this new agreement comes from Digital Resolve’s Trusted Server Technology which provides consumers with real-time, positive assurance that they are at a valid website. The technology utilizes patented data mining capabilities, which were developed in 1999.
www.digital-resolve.net
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CUETS and Associated Bank Pick Corillian
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Credit Union Electronic Transaction Services (CUETS), a provider of MasterCard services to over 450 credit unions and caisses populaires throughout Canada, has selected Corillian Credit Card Management as its foundation for a next-generation online credit card management solution. Through Corillian, CUETS’ clients will receive new online services such as eStatements and Alerts modules to enhance the self-service capabilities of the online credit card site. End users will be able to view all of their account information in real-time, set up alerts to be proactively notified of new changes to their accounts and store up to 12 months of statement history.
Associated Banc-Corp, headquartered in Green Bay, WI, has selected Corillian to provide a strong online authentication security solution for its retail online banking customers.
“With new security threats emerging daily, we need a progressive security solution that is highly adaptable and able to meet our customers’ changing online banking needs,” said Leonard Rowe, senior vice president and director of eBusiness for Associated Banc-Corp. “We chose Corillian Intelligent Authentication because it is a non-intrusive security measure that is virtually transparent and doesn’t detract from the positive customer experience we have spent years developing.”
www.cuets.ca
www.AssociatedBank.com
www.corillian.com
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Susquehanna Chooses Wincor for Windows-based ATMs
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Susquehanna Bancshares has selected Wincor Nixdorf as its total banking solutions IT partner, making it the first bank in the U.S. to install all Wincor hardware, software and services to its branches and entire ATM fleet. Wincor Nixdorf has deployed or replaced all 170 ATMs, including full-function interior, through-the-wall, and drive-up ATMs as well as cash dispensers; installed its Windows-based ProCash software with Web extensions; and implemented its ProView monitoring and management.
“The new hardware, software and services from Wincor Nixdorf have given Susquehanna the opportunity to focus even more on our customers while still being able to reduce costs,” said Steven Stoner, vice president, director of systems support and EFT services at Susquehanna Bancshares. “We are now able to provide reliable, innovative ATM solutions at a lower total cost of ownership.”
www.susquehanna.net
www.wincor-nixdorf.com/usa
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Meridian CU Converts to Fincentric
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Meridian Credit Union, the third largest in Canada, has completed a large-scale conversion to Fincentric’s core banking system to offer better member services across all channels.
“Our partnership with Fincentric has given us the software tools we need to better manage and service our 187,000 members,” said Steve Gesner, CIO at Meridian Credit Union. “Technology continues to be a significant factor in delivering outstanding relationship service to our members. All of our systems are up and running and we’re very pleased with the deployment of our new banking system from Fincentric, which was accomplished on schedule and within budget.”
Meridian Credit Union required a flexible banking platform that met its technology vision as well as its business objectives for industry leading vendor support. Fincentric’s comprehensive financial software system now provides Meridian Credit Union with a complete front-to-back-office banking solution that supports its many delivery channels, including branch, ATM, POS, IVR and Internet services.
www.meridiancu.ca
www.fincentric.com
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Allstate Canada Outsources Exchange Services to Ceryx
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 Allstate Insurance Company of Canada has outsourced its messaging systems to Ceryx, replacing an internal Microsoft Exchange 5.5 system with a secure, redundant and dedicated system.
Allstate Canada wanted to improve operational effectiveness while upgrading its Exchange 5.5 server.
“We needed to alleviate current and future resource issues and requirements needed to manage an Exchange environment,” said Juha Tuominen, IT project manager for the carrier. “We needed to get the IT team focus back to supporting Allstate Canada’s core business, insurance.”
Ceryx met the company’s requirements for a secure, reliable and redundant system with their hardened architecture for managed Exchange 2003 services, which also includes migration services, 24/7 customer support and advanced antivirus and antispam filtering capabilities.
www.allstate.ca
www.ceryx.com
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CUNA Selects IPS Sendero
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CUNA Mutual Group’s Investment Advisory Services division has chosen Fiserv’s IPS-Sendero for asset/liability (A/L) management.
“The IPS-Sendero model supports the ALM modeling we provide to our investment advisory services clients,” said Bob Lindner, director of Investment Advisory Services. “We selected IPS-Sendero for its robust ALM modeling capabilities, which allow us to understand the overall ALM risk profile of credit union balance sheets. The model supports our holistic approach to managing investments for our clients.”
CUNA Mutual, based in Madison, WI, provides investment advisory services to credit unions through its registered investment advisor affiliate, MEMBERS Capital Advisors. The IPS-Sendero A/L system will allow CUNA Mutual’s Investment Advisory Services clients to actively measure, monitor and manage risks, design and test alternatives in a “what-if” environment, improve margins and develop forecasts. The A/L system also supports regulatory compliance.
www.ips-sendero.com
www.cuna.org
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Smith Breeden Deploys Digipede for High-Performance Analytics
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Smith Breeden, a financial research and trading firm, is deploying the Digipede Network Professional Edition to increase the performance of its next-generation analytics software. By reducing the time it takes to price fixed-income securities and perform sensitivity analysis, Smith Breeden can gain results sooner, which in turn makes it possible to increase returns for its clients.
“As Smith Breeden deploys increasingly sophisticated analytic models in service-oriented architectures, the Digipede Network provides the scalability they need to deliver an edge to their clients,” said Digipede’s CEO, John Powers. Smith Breeden developers will use the Digipede Network to scale out the computing load across multiple servers in their office, so they can support users running more analyses simultaneously. Using the Digipede Network, developers can easily write .NET or COM applications that will take advantage of hundreds or thousands of computers, harnessing the power of grid computing.
www.smithbreeden.com
www.digipede.net
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Charles River Wins Artemis
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Artemis Investment Management with over £10 billion in assets under management has selected the Charles River Investment Management System to support its London and Edinburgh based asset management operations. Artemis, which manages retail, institutional and hedge fund products, is active in all principal asset classes.
“We conducted a comprehensive review of the leading front-office systems vendors and the Charles River IMS provided the best fit for our extensive range of requirements,” said Mark Murray, chief operating officer at Artemis.
www.artemisonline.co.uk
www.crd.com
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ChoicePoint Acquires Steel Card
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ChoicePoint has acquired California-based Steel Card and its award-winning Apogee product line, which is built on Microsoft technology. Steel Card provides a comprehensive, Web-based personal lines software solution for the property and casualty insurance industry including policy administration and full policy processing for all personal lines. Steel Card and its products will be integrated into ChoicePoint’s insurance software and process outsourcing business, Insurity, based in Hartford, CT. These new capabilities will be marketed as part of Insurity’s Insurance Decisions suite of products and services. In June, Insurity announced a multi-year alliance with Microsoft and is moving its software to the Microsoft .NET Framework.
“The use of .NET has expanded in the insurance industry as insurers realize its value in lowering total cost of ownership and enabling service-oriented architectures,” said Matthew Josefowicz, manager of the insurance group at Celent, a leading insurance industry analyst firm. “This acquisition makes sense for both sides,” he added. “The acquisition of Steel Card significantly advances ChoicePoint’s position in the personal lines space, and prospects for Steel Card’s products can now have the assurance of a large corporate backer.”
www.choicepoint.com
www.insurity.com
www.steelcard.com
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CIBC Extends Outsourcing Pact with HP
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HP Canada and the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC) have extended their technology outsourcing agreement for an additional four years. The total value of the contract, which covers retail and wholesale banking, is approximately $1.2 billion over the next seven years.
“This extension with CIBC builds on our companies’ existing agreement and marks a significant win for HP in an incredibly competitive industry,” said Paul Tsaparis, president and chief executive officer, HP Canada. “Working together, we will continue to provide the IT services that support CIBC’s focus on building positive relationships with its clients.”
Ron Lalonde, senior executive vice president for administration, technology and operations at the bank, said the agreement allows CIBC to take advantage of HP’s services and expertise to manage its IT needs effectively.
www.cibc.com
www.hp.com
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ColinaImperial Selects SunGard’s iWORKS
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ColinaImperial Life Insurance Co. in the Bahamas has selected SunGard’s iWORKS NAVIGATOR, a comprehensive suite of solutions for life insurance and annuity sales and support, including needs analysis. NAVIGATOR Illustrations, part of the iWORKS family, is an integrated software solution designed to enhance the sales process and incorporate functionality for life insurance and annuity illustrations and quotes.
Dashwell Flowers, vice president of sales at ColinaImperial Life Insurance Company said, “SunGard’s illustration system will play an important role as we continue to expand and introduce new products to our sales force. The illustration system is very flexible, helps us to get products to market faster, and helps improve customer service, while helping provide cost-savings.”
www.sungard.com/iWORKSnavigator
www.colinaimperial.com
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Illustrating Insurance
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The Hartford has selected Insurance Technologies ForeSight to illustrate its retirement income
product line. Illustrating the capabilities of The Hartford products, ForeSight will enable their U.S.
distributors to effectively demonstrate the value of the company’s retirement income product line. In
addition to the existing features and functionality that ForeSight provides, Insurance Technologies
will be customizing it to include all of The Hartford’s unique structured settlements. The new platform
gives The Hartford a flexible platform for its business model.
“We are confident that with the .NET mobile version of ForeSight, which supports Internet, desktop
and laptop environments, The Hartford will realize greater flexibility in selling their annuity, maturity
funding and structured settlements product lines,” said Larry Wiedeman, chairman and CEO of
Insurance Technologies.
www.thehartford.com
www.insurancetechnologies.com
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SBLI, Empire and Fort Dearborn Move to Whitehill’s InSystems
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SBLI USA Mutual Life Insurance Company, a New York-based insurer with more than $1.5 billion in assets, has announced it is upgrading to Whitehill’s IStream Publisher 3.2 from Calligo Dispatcher. Empire Life, a Canadian provider of individual life, investment and group benefits, and Fort Dearborn Life Insurance Company, one of the leading group life and employee benefits providers in the U.S., are both upgrading to Publisher 3.2 Express. Whitehill’s InSystems line of software helps insurers get new products off the drafting board and out the door more quickly.
“We see this product as being a critical support to our business,” said Paul Belshaw, director of information services at Empire Life. “We look forward to it being a low-maintenance, lights-out solution for us. We’ve been pleased with InSystems products in the past, and we appreciate the high quality of service their team has always provided.”
Eric Bulis, senior vice president of information technology at SBLI USA, said his company values the way Publisher allows for personalized communications with customers. “We also like all the different options it gives us for distribution, such as e-mail, fax and so on; and we appreciate the service that comes with the InSystems product line.”
“Document automation is an important area for insurers who are focused on streamlining operations and improving agent and customer experience,” said Matthew Josefowicz, global insurance group manager at Celent. “These new deals underscore that Whitehill, and the InSystems product line, continue to be significant players in this space.”
www.empire.ca
www.sbliusa.com
www.fdl-life.com
www.whitehilltech.com
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Ziegler Companies Choose Pivotal’s CRM for Cross-Selling
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The Ziegler Companies, based in Wisconsin, have selected Pivotal’s CRM systems for private banking, capital markets and asset management to improve collaboration and cross-selling. Ziegler wants to provide its business units with a single, easy-to-use system for managing all interactions with clients. It selected Pivotal for its ease of use and highly tailored functionality for investment banking, wealth management and asset management.
“Our services are designed for those clients who want guidance from skilled financial professionals empowered to understand and respond to specific, individual client needs,” said Mike Talbot, senior vice president, project officer at Ziegler. “Pivotal is helping us deliver on that promise by providing us with the tools we need to personalize every interaction with a client – across all of our departments. No other vendor offered us a product that could provide enterprise-wide access to client information combined with very specific tools to support day-to-day business in each department.” Pivotal is a unit of CDC Software.
www.ziegler.com
www.cdcsoftware.com
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