About SHAZAM | Press Releases

SHAZAM Welcomes New V.P. of Corporate Communications

Monday, March 17, 2008

Johnston, Iowa — SHAZAM, Inc., one of the last remaining member-owned and -controlled electronic funds transfer (EFT) networks, is pleased to announce James P. Ghiglieri Jr. will join SHAZAM as the vice president of corporate communications on Thursday, March 27, 2008. Ghiglieri will be leading the company's communication efforts by working directly with industry organizations, trade organizations, and media outlets affirming SHAZAM's focus of representing the voice of community financial institutions in the electronic payments industry.

Prior to joining SHAZAM, Ghiglieri was president at Alpha Community Bank in Toluca, Illinois, as well as chairman of The Independent Community Bankers of America, an organization representing the largest constituency of community banks of all sizes and charter types in the nation, dedicated exclusively to representing the interests of the community banking industry.

Ghiglieri brings with him extensive EFT knowledge and a wealth of experience working with financial institutions and industry organizations. Known industry wide, Ghiglieri's overwhelmingly positive reputation will uphold SHAZAM's tradition of being an industry leader in EFT technology and service.

"I'm very excited about the opportunity to work with an exceptional organization like SHAZAM," Ghiglieri said. "SHAZAM's mission of providing outstanding products and services to community financial institutions coincides with my own personal goals. I feel honored to be associated with SHAZAM and I'm looking forward to assisting SHAZAM continue their already impressive success in the future."

With SHAZAM's focus on supporting the company's community financial institutions in the EFT industry, Ghiglieri will be a key leader in driving the company's communication efforts to systematically cultivate and elevate the SHAZAM message to the national audience.

"We are very pleased to have Jim serve as the new vice president of corporate communications," said Michael Hollinger, president and chief executive officer at SHAZAM. "His leadership and passion for community banking will be extremely valuable as SHAZAM continues to make history as one of the last remaining community financial institution-owned EFT networks."

About SHAZAM

The SHAZAM network was founded in 1976 by community financial institutions wanting a voice in the delivery of electronic convenience to their customers. SHAZAM is one of the last remaining member-owned and -controlled EFT networks and processors in the industry. This independence allows SHAZAM to remain in control of its systems and guarantees access to the electronic payments system for its participants. SHAZAM offers ATM processing services; Visa® Check and Debit MasterCard® national debit products including business debit and health savings account cards; card authorization services; merchant processing; ACH services; and information security solutions. SHAZAM serves nearly 1,600 community financial institutions in 30 states. Visit SHAZAM at www.shazam.net.

SHAZAM Partners with In Balance Alliance Expanding Surcharge-free ATMs throughout Minnesota

Tuesday, March 4, 2008

Johnston, Iowa — SHAZAM, Inc., one of the last remaining member-owned and -controlled electronic funds transfer (EFT) networks, partnered with the Independent Community Bankers of Minnesota’s In Balance® Alliance, expanding selective surcharge-free alliance throughout the state of Minnesota. This partnership offers greater savings and additional convenience for Minnesota cardholders through access to more than 120 additional surcharge-free ATMs for SHAZAM’s Privileged Status financial institutions and more than 175 additional surcharge-free ATMs for the In Balance Alliance members.

"With the growing need for surcharge-free ATM access for our participants' cardholders, we are pleased to be able to work with an outstanding organization like In Balance to provide this service to our participants," said Dan Kramer, senior vice president of marketing and merchant services for SHAZAM. "Cardholders will now have more surcharge-free access to their accounts, saving them time and money."

The common focus on personal service for community-based financial institutions shared by both organizations ensures their participants can provide a solution for the growing convenience and saving needs of their customers.

"We are pleased to partner with SHAZAM in an effort to bring more surcharge-free ATMs to both of our participants," said Doug Krukowski, chief operating officer of the Independent Community Bankers of Minnesota, provider of the In Balance Alliance. “With the addition of Privileged Status ATMs to our network of surcharge-free ATMs in Minnesota and the In Balance Alliance to Privileged Status, both organizations will be able to provide our financial institutions with exactly what they want from an EFT network — better access for their cardholders."

About In Balance

The In Balance Network was formed by Minnesota community bankers to provide their customers' access to surcharge-free ATMs. In Balance Alliance, provided by the Independent Community Bankers of Minnesota (ICBM), is focused on delivering personal service and state-wide access to surcharge-free ATMs for their community financial institutions. For more information about the In Balance Alliance, visit www.inbalanceatms.com today. For more information on ICBM, visit www.communitybanks.org.

About SHAZAM

The SHAZAM Network was founded in 1976 and is one of the last remaining member-owned and -controlled EFT networks and processors in the industry. SHAZAM provides EFT services to nearly 1,600 community financial institutions in 30 states. SHAZAM offers ATM processing services; Visa® Check and Debit MasterCard® national debit products, including business debit and health savings account (HSA) cards; card authorization services; merchant processing; automated clearing house (ACH) services; and information security solutions. Visit SHAZAM at www.shazam.net.

SHAZAM Elects New Chairman of the Board

Thursday, September 13, 2007

Johnston, Iowa - SHAZAM, Inc. has announced the election of Daryl Barklow as the new Chairman of the SHAZAM Board of Directors. Mr. Barklow is currently Chairman of East Dubuque Savings Bank, Dubuque, Iowa. He was elected by the nearly 1,000 financial institution member-owners of the SHAZAM network and will serve a two-year term.

Mr. Barklow's commitment to the future of community banking is evident through his many years of service to the community financial institution industry. Barklow has served on the SHAZAM Board of Directors for 12 years, including the positions of Vice Chairman, Secretary, and Treasurer prior to being elected Chairman. He also served as Chairman of the Illinois Transfer System, a SHAZAM-affiliated organization. Barklow is currently on the Board of Directors of the Independent Bankers Bank of Illinois and serves as the Chairman of their Trust and Financial Services Committee. He has also been an active member of the Community Bankers Association of Illinois, including serving as Chairman of the organization.

As one of the last remaining member-owned and -controlled EFT networks, SHAZAM's election process ensures that every member, regardless of size, has an equal voice in electing the leadership of the network. The not-for-profit, financial institution-owned, EFT network model, which once was standard within the industry, has mostly given way to large, for-profit entities selling services to the financial institution industry.

"SHAZAM still feels that the financial institution industry should remain in control of the electronic payments system," stated Michael Hollinger, SHAZAM President and CEO. "We've operated independently for more than thirty years and will continue to represent the voice of community financial institutions in the electronic payments industry."

"Today's environment of mergers and acquisitions among vendors can leave a community banker feeling that they don't have a choice in EFT networks," said Daryl Barklow, SHAZAM Chairman. "I want community financial institutions to know that they have the option to work with an independent network who is truly a partner in their success."

"We are very pleased to have Daryl serve as the new Chairman of the Board," said Hollinger. "His leadership and passion about community banking will be extremely valuable as SHAZAM continues to make history as one of the last remaining community financial institution-owned EFT networks."

The 2007-2008 SHAZAM Board Officers are:

• Chairman - Daryl Barklow, East Dubuque Savings Bank; Dubuque , Iowa
• Past Chairman - Stan Honken, Bank Iowa ; Des Moines , Iowa
• Vice Chairman - Paul Waltz, First American Bank; Clive , Iowa
• Secretary/Treasurer - Robert Becker, Guaranty Bank & Trust; Cedar Rapids , Iowa
• President - Michael Hollinger, ITS, Inc.; Johnston , Iowa