SAN ANTONIO, TX – Marketplace trends for art-inspired products and account holder requests for more check design choices are the impetus for a 2006 expansion of Clarke American’s personal and business check product lines. With the new products, Clarke American continues to focus its attention on meeting consumer needs, responding to current trends and enabling financial institutions to solidify and enhance their relationships with personal and business account holders.

New personal check products include seven designs; though varied in theme, each reflects a preference for products that display artistic imagery. Choices range from stylish Art Deco to tongue-in-cheek humor to romantic impressionism:

• Bon Voyage™ – bold artwork featuring vintage travel posters
• Erika Oller – humorous images of human experiences
• Peaceful Places™ – painted landscapes
• Psalms™ – multidimensional textured Scripture art
• Sonnets™ – romantic textured backgrounds and artistic borders
• The Roaring ‘20s by Erte™ – fashion-influenced, art-deco style art
• Tiny Messages by Legacy Art Studio™ – simple object motifs with inspirational messages.

“These premium, artist-inspired designs bring new excitement to checkwriters who want their checks to reflect their lifestyle and interests,” says Linda Roothame, senior product marketing manager for Clarke American. “We are responding to demands identified through primary and secondary research initiatives, and the resulting new products are designed to delight checkwriters More important, these are the kinds of products that keep account holders in the financial institution channel.”

For small business account holders, new business products provide more choices and are a response to requests for distinctive, visually interesting and professional check designs.

New premium Three-To-A-Page designs offer checkwriters who use manual checks the variety they want: Let Freedom Ring® offers a patriotic theme with an eagle and the American flag; American Grandeur® features a mountain landscape; and On the Green™ shows a golf course landscape. In addition, a new Colleague™ binder is available to assist Three-To-A-Page check users with document organization and storage.

In support of the growing laser check market, new premium laser designs give small businesses more options beyond the standard blue safety papers: Blue Sheffield™ features blue pinstripes; Colonial Classic® has a tan marble design; Reverie® has blue and red stripes; and On the Green™ depicts a golf course landscape.

“The small business market is valuable to our financial institution partners, offering them a great opportunity for growth and revenue,” explains Penny Benavidez, associate marketing manager for Clarke American. “They are looking to Clarke American to help them capitalize on this opportunity. We want to be a one-stop shop for small business checks and related product needs, so we are constantly looking for ways to enhance our business product line.”

All products are being marketed through Clarke American’s service channels, including participating branches, Clarke American’s Web site and its state-of-the-art contact centers.

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. The company is a recipient of the 2001 Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award given by the U.S. Department of Commerce. For more information, visit www.clarkeamerican.com.

For information about this press release contact:
Cary Corbin
(830) 609-1932
Debbie Talley
(210) 697-1228