SAN ANTONIO — Partnership is a word that two San Antonio-based companies don’t use lightly. That is because they can claim a business relationship that has lasted for at least 125 years – virtually an anomaly in modern business. The two long-time business associates are Frost Bank, the largest national bank based in Texas, and Clarke American, Inc., a leading provider of checks and check-related products, Internet and contact center services, and direct response marketing solutions for the financial services industry.

Through economic ups and downs, wars, technology explosions and cultural transformations, the bank and its check supplier have weathered every change together as loyal partners. Early historical records make it difficult to pinpoint the actual date that the two companies began a business relationship. But a historical bank ledger now on display in Frost Bank’s main branch confirms the partnership dates at least to 1879.

Aside from the actual start date, it is believed to be the oldest business relationship for both companies. And that alone makes their story noteworthy.

For these two business partners, it is the quality and not the length of the relationship that matters most. “The cultures and values of both Clarke American and Frost Bank are so similar that we are a good fit; that is a major reason the business relationship is strong and productive, and why we choose to continue to grow our business together year after year, decade after decade,” says Charles Korbell, president and chief executive officer of Clarke American. “Our mission, values, what we stand for, who we are, and our goals line up so naturally with one another that the relationship is very much like a well-run partnership. We work in tandem toward mutual goals guided by mutual values that define our culture.”

Those values – quality, trust, passion for the customer, an orientation toward results, and a proactive, collaborative approach to business – have propelled both companies to the top of their respective industries. But each company also points to the other as a major contributor to its success. “Clarke American is much more than a supplier for Frost Bank,” explains Pat Frost, president of Frost Bank. “In fact, its role has been that of an innovator throughout our history. Clarke American’s proactive solutions, such as Internet ordering options and customer contact centers, for example, have helped us serve our customers more effectively. It is constantly looking for new ways to help us improve the way we deliver service to our customers, and we like that approach.”

For its part, Clarke American points to its relationship with Frost Bank as a window to better understanding how to meet the needs of the bank’s customers. “We know how hard Frost Bank works to deliver value to its customer, and we work just as hard to help build on that relationship of trust,” says Korbell. “Acting on that knowledge has raised the level of this partnership to a completely new place, and has given Clarke American the opportunity to fulfill its mission of delivering passionate customer care.”

Today, the two companies continue to work closely on mutual goals in many areas – technology, marketing, customer service, operations – every area where the two organizations touch, and have set their sights on a number of strategic goals that will help both companies succeed in the next 100 years. The work continues to pay off for both. As one example, Clarke American serves Frost Bank customers through its five national customer contact centers and its Internet ordering service. Clarke American also provides approximately 18 million checks and related products to Frost Bank customers each year.

Both companies agree that the length of the relationship is unusual but the benefits prove that long-standing relationships can really happen in the business world. “You hear people talk about having partnerships for life,” says Frost, “and that can really happen if the relationship is built on the right foundation — trust, collaboration and true partnership.
In a time when many business practices are being called into question, it’s refreshing to know that a relationship like this can last.” Korbell agrees. “Our partnership reinforces that who you do business with is as important as what business services are being bought or sold,” he says. “We’ve proved that ‘partners for life’ isn’t just talk; there is substance in the relationship.”

About Frost Bank:
Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc. is a financial holding company, headquartered in San Antonio, with assets of $9.6 billion at June 30, 2004. Frost Bank operates 79 financial centers across Texas in Austin, Boerne, Corpus Christi, Dallas, Fort Worth, Galveston, Harlingen, Houston, McAllen, New Braunfels, San Antonio and San Marcos. The corporation provides a full range of commercial and consumer banking products, investment and brokerage services, insurance products and investment banking services. Founded in 1868, Frost is the largest national bank based in Texas, helping Texans with their financial needs during three centuries. Cullen/Frost Bankers' stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol CFR.

About Clarke American:
Clarke American provides checks and check-related products, contact center services, Internet and direct response marketing solutions for the financial services industry. Each year, the company produces more than 10 billion personal and business checks in a variety of formats for more than 4,000 banks, credit unions and other financial institutions nationwide. The company has more than 3,200 associates and a national network of electronically linked production facilities and customer service centers located throughout the United States.

Clarke American is a recipient of the 2001 Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award in the manufacturing category, awarded by the U.S. Department of Commerce, and is the recipient of the 2001 Texas Award for Performance Excellence given by the Quality Texas Foundation. For more information, visit www.clarkeamerican.com.

For information about this press release contact
Mike Hannan
(210) 697-1299
Cary Corbin
(830) 609-1932