NEWS RELEASE
October 1, 2010
ABA Media Contact: John Hall
(202) 663-5473
E-mail: jhall@aba.com

WASHINGTON — Business Solutions, a subsidiary of the American Bankers Association, has selected Affinity Advisors to help community banks that are seeking to develop a long term strategy for payment products, credit cards, merchant services, ATM networks as well as emerging products such as mobile banking and prepaid cards.  ABA members will receive preferred pricing

Participating banks will receive an assessment of their current credit card portfolio and strategy to determine product feasibility, profitability and Affinity Advisor services will provide guidance and action steps required to improve products and plan profitability.

"We're excited to serve in an exclusive advisory capacity for Business Solutions and ABA members,” said Bill Morrison, CEO of Affinity Advisors.  “Today’s environment presents terrific opportunities for banks with the right payment systems strategies and products.  We can help banks navigate the many decisions involved in getting started or enhancing their current programs.”

“There are often more questions than answers in the ever-changing world of payments,” said Austin Roberts, CEO of Bank of Lancaster in Kilmarnock, Va. and chairman of Card Solutions, an affiliate of Business Solutions.  “If your bank is involved in a payment card program or is contemplating expanding into this service, Affinity Advisors is a good resource to turn to for assistance in program evaluations.”

For more information, visit www.aba.com or contact David Ridley at 202-663-5192 or 1-800-BANKERS.

About American Bankers Association
The American Bankers Association represents banks of all sizes and charters and is the voice for the nation’s $13 trillion banking industry and its two million employees. The majority of ABA’s members are banks with less than $165 million in assets. Learn more at aba.com.

About Business Solutions
Business Solutions offers ABA members competitive products and innovative solutions selected by bankers for bankers that will help you save money, build customer relationships and improve your bottom line. Our unmatched, value-added products and services in Payment Solutions, Mortgage Solutions, Capital Markets, and Commercial Lending & Business Banking will minimize your expenses, maximize your bank’s performance and, in many cases, offset your ABA dues.

About Affinity Advisors
Affinity Advisors’ areas of focus include: Strategic Planning, Program Assessment & Enrichment, New Product Development, Product Assessment & Enrichment, Contract negotiations/RFP oversight, Strategic Alliance development, Marketing and Communications, and Enhancing the Customer/Member Experience, Payment Systems Program Assessment and Development.

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