Progressive Savings Bank Introduces Kasasa, a Striking Alternative to the Mega Bank Rollercoaster

Jamestown, TN -- (SBWIRE) -- 08/05/2011 -- Progressive Savings Bank asks consumers, "Do you Kasasa?" as it becomes the second financial institution in Tennessee to launch the country's most innovative financial products.

Kasasa® is a new brand of free checking and savings accounts that pays consumers to use their account with what interests them most—high interest, cash back, automatic savings, money to donate to charity or digital downloads from iTunes® or Amazon.com. These accounts, combined with the personal service that only community financial institutions can deliver, are offering residents a better checking account option than the mega bank experience.

"Consumers deserve to wake up to happier days of banking and leave behind the nightmare of mega bank fees and mistreatment. We are pleased to be the second in Tennessee to offer these unique products" said Vanessa Herren, executive vice president at Progressive Savings Bank. "Kasasa delivers what research shows people really want but believe they can't have—great financial products with the personal service of a community based financial institution."

Progressive Savings Bank is offering two Kasasa financial products, including Kasasa Cash™ and Kasasa Cash Back™. All Kasasa products are free, reward-based accounts, with no minimum balance to get the rewards, no monthly service fees, online banking and nationwide ATM fee refunds.

• Kasasa Cash - A free checking account that pays high interest for every month the account holder qualifies.
• Kasasa Cash Back - A free checking account that rewards account holders with major cash back on everyday debit card purchases, without points or category restrictions like the big guys. The cash back amount is based on how much consumers spend on each debit card transaction.

To receive the Kasasa account benefits, each monthly qualification cycle account holders are asked to do a few simple things like, receive an eStatement, access online banking, use a debit card a minimum number of times, and have an electronic transaction (such as direct deposit) post to their account. If an account holder does not meet the qualifications in a given month, Progressive Savings Bank will alert the individual, who will be eligible the following month for the benefits.

"Extensive research has shown us that consumers would prefer to do business with community financial institutions, but feel they would lose access to products," continued Herren. "Kasasa is opening people's eyes to a new banking model where no sacrifices are necessary. It's a win-win because account holders get innovative products and personalized service."

In 2009, Kasasa was piloted in six other markets across the U.S. In just the first two months of offering Kasasa, participating community financial institutions reported growth rates upwards of 150% on new account openings and 372% in deposits at institutions focused on deposit growth.

Kasasa is being introduced with an aggressive, highly engaging marketing campaign. It comes to life through a fresh mix of eye-popping advertising, the likes of which exceed the typical mega bank's high-budget programs. The ads feature America's top slam poets www.kasasa.com/news-and-media/advertising riffing lyrical threads around the theme of "Do you Kasasa?"

Kasasa is distributed to Progressive Savings Bank from BancVue, the leading provider of innovative products, dynamic marketing, and data-driven consulting solutions to community financial institutions nationwide to help them win the war against the megabanks.

For more information on Kasasa accounts, consumers can visit http://www.psbgroup.com or http://www.kasasa.com/psbank.

Progressive Savings Bank is FDIC insured.

Do you Kasasa?
Kasasa® is the first national brand of the most innovative checking accounts available today. The accounts, offered exclusively by the finest community financial institutions, are designed to be the first and only accounts that actually take an interest in their account holders by paying them to use their account with what interests them most—high interest, cash back, automatic savings, money to donate to charity or iTunes® or Amazon.com downloads. Kasasa, developed and distributed by BancVue, marries innovative banking products with the personal touch of community financial institutions. For more information, visit http://www.kasasa.com.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

The First National Bank of Barry Introduces Kasasa, a Striking Alternative to the Mega Bank Rollercoaster

Barry, IL -- (SBWIRE) -- 07/02/2011 -- The First National Bank of Barry asks consumers, "Do you Kasasa?" as it becomes the newest financial institution in Illinois to launch the country's most innovative financial products.

Kasasa® is a new brand of free checking and savings accounts that pays consumers to use their account with what interests them most. These accounts, combined with the personal service that only community financial institutions can deliver, are offering residents a better checking account option than the mega bank experience. Thousands of consumers around the country have already switched to Kasasa to gain access to exciting banking products and unbeatable personal service.

"Consumers deserve to wake up to happier days of banking and leave behind the nightmare of mega bank fees and mistreatment. We are pleased to be the newest bank in Illinois to offer these unique products" said Rick Shover, Senior Vice President at The First National Bank of Barry. "Kasasa delivers what research shows people really want but believe they can't have—great financial products with the personal service of a community based financial institution."

The First National Bank of Barry is now offering Kasasa Cash™ and Kasasa Saver™. All Kasasa products are free accounts, with no minimum balance to get the rewards, no monthly fees, online banking and nationwide ATM fee refunds.

• Kasasa Cash - A free checking account that pays high interest for every month the account holder qualifies.

• Kasasa Saver - A high interest saver account linked to a Kasasa Cash checking account. The high interest and ATM fee refunds earned in the Kasasa Cash account are automatically deposited into the Kasasa Saver account each month. The balance in the Kasasa Saver account also earns a high rate of interest.

To get the rewards, each monthly qualification cycle, account holders are asked to do a few simple things like receive an eStatement, access online banking, use a debit card a minimum number of times, and have an electronic transaction (such as direct deposit). If an account holder does not meet the qualifications in a given month, The First National Bank of Barry will alert the individual, who will be eligible the following month for the benefits.

"Extensive research has shown us that consumers would prefer to do business with community financial institutions, but feel they would lose access to products," continued Shover. "Kasasa is opening people's eyes to a new banking model where no sacrifices are necessary. It's a win-win because account holders get innovative products and personalized service."

In 2009, Kasasa was piloted in six other markets across the U.S. In just the first two months of offering Kasasa, participating community financial institutions reported growth rates upwards of 150% on new account openings and 372% in deposits at institutions focused on deposit growth.

Kasasa is being introduced with an aggressive, highly engaging marketing campaign. It comes to life through a fresh mix of eye-popping advertising, the likes of which exceed the typical mega bank's high-budget programs. The ads feature America's top slam poets www.kasasa.com/news-and-media/advertising riffing lyrical threads around the theme of "Do you Kasasa?"

Kasasa is distributed to The First National Bank of Barry from BancVue, the leading provider of innovative products, dynamic marketing, and data-driven consulting solutions to community financial institutions nationwide to help them win the war against the megabanks.

For more information on Kasasa accounts, consumers can visit http://www.fnbbarry.com or http://www.kasasa.com/FNBofBarry.

Do you Kasasa?
Kasasa® is the first national brand of the most innovative checking accounts available today. The accounts, offered exclusively by the finest community financial institutions, are designed to be the first and only accounts that actually take an interest in their account holders by paying them to use their account with what interests them most—high interest, cash back, automatic savings, money to donate to charity or digital downloads. Kasasa, developed and distributed by BancVue, marries innovative banking products with the personal touch of community financial institutions. For more information, visit http://www.kasasa.com.

CONTACT:
Katie Weathers
404-791-8245
kweathers@csg-pr.com

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Unrivaled Account Offers Consumers a New Kind of Bank Note

Columbus Grove, OH -- (SBWIRE) -- 05/13/2011 -- The Union Bank Company, one of the first financial institutions in the country to launch Kasasa®, the first and only collection of banking accounts that truly takes an interest in account holders, today introduces the most innovative account on the market, Kasasa Tunes™.

Kasasa Tunes is a new checking account that rewards consumers with downloads from iTunes® or Amazon.com every month. It is designed for those with a passion for music and media, who want to be rewarded with digital downloads, including music, books, movies and iPhone® or iPod® applications.

"For those that want something different from their banking relationship, we wanted to offer our customers a fresh, hip account that puts the fun in banking," says Brian D. Young, President of The Union Bank Company. "Now Kasasa account holders can use their monthly downloads to check out a new band or the latest artist, or enjoy television shows, movies, iPhone and iPod applications."

Like all Kasasa accounts, Kasasa Tunes offers nationwide ATM fee refunds, no minimum balance and online banking in addition to the monthly downloads.

Account holders receive rewards by doing a few simple things every month, like using a debit card a minimum number of times, signing up to receive monthly e-statements, and accessing online banking

Kasasa was introduced to the Lima area by The Union Bank Company in November 2010 through a highly engaging marketing campaign. The campaign, which featured some of America's top slam poets, asks consumers, "Do You Kasasa?" In other words, The Union Bank Company is asking consumers to expect more from their banking relationships.

"Our customers are thoroughly enjoying Kasasa offerings because they speak to their lifestyle, and Kasasa Tunes continues to support that movement," added Young. "The Kasasa launch has been successful for our bank."

The Union Bank Company is offering other Kasasa banking products, including Kasasa Cash™ and Kasasa Saver™ at all of its branches with locations in Columbus Grove, Bowling Green, Delphos, Findlay, Gibsonburg, Kalida, Leipsic, Lima East, Lima Shawnee, Lima West, Ottawa, and Pemberville.

• Kasasa Cash - A checking account that rewards consumers with high interest in cash every month.

• Kasasa Saver - A high interest saver account linked to a Kasasa Cash checking account. The high interest and ATM fee refunds earned in the Kasasa Cash account are automatically deposited into the Kasasa Saver account each month. The balance in the Kasasa Saver account also earns a high rate of interest.

Kasasa is distributed to The Union Bank Company from BancVue, the leading provider of innovative products, dynamic marketing, and data-driven consulting solutions to community financial institutions nationwide to help them win the war against the megabanks. BancVue's products have delivered more than one million customers and more than $16 billion in deposits to nearly 700 community banks and credit unions around the country, equaling more than 5,000 branches around the country.

For more information on Kasasa accounts, visit http://www.theubank.com or visit http://www.kasasa.com/theunionbankco.

About Kasasa
Kasasa® is the first national brand of the most innovative checking accounts available today. The accounts, offered exclusively by the finest community financial institutions, are designed to be the first and only accounts that actually take an interest in their account holders by paying them to use their account with what interests them most—high interest, cash back, automatic savings, money to donate to charity or iTunes® downloads.

Kasasa, developed and distributed by BancVue, marries innovative banking products with the personal touch of community financial institutions. For more information, visit http://www.kasasa.com.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Unrivaled Account Offers Consumers a New Kind of Bank Note

Portsmouth, VA -- (SBWIRE) --05/12/2011 -- Northern Star Credit Union, one of the first financial institutions in the country to launch Kasasa®, the first and only collection of banking accounts that actually takes an interest in account holders, today introduces the most innovative account on the market, Kasasa Tunes™.

Kasasa Tunes is a free checking account that rewards consumers with digital downloads from iTunes® or Amazon.com every month. It is designed for those with a passion for music and media, who want to be rewarded with digital downloads, including music, books, movies and iPhone or iPod applications.

"For those that want something different from their banking relationship, we wanted to offer our members a fresh, hip account that puts the fun in banking," said Joseph Scharl, Marketing Manager at Northern Star Credit Union. "Now Kasasa account holders can use their monthly downloads to check out a new band or the latest remix, or enjoy television shows, movies, iPhone and iPod applications."

Like all Kasasa accounts, Kasasa Tunes offers free checking, nationwide ATM fee refunds, no minimum balance, no monthly fees and free online banking in addition to the digital download rewards.

Account holders receive rewards by doing a few simple things every month, like using a debit card and signing up to receive monthly e-statements instead of paper. If an account holder does not meet the qualifications in a given month, the account is still free and they will be eligible the following month for the benefits.

Kasasa was introduced to the Hampton Roads area by Northern Star Credit Union in April 2010 through an aggressive, highly engaging marketing campaign. The campaign, which featured some of America's top slam poets, asks consumers, "Do You Kasasa?" In other words, Northern Star Credit Union is asking consumers to expect more from their banking relationships.

"Our members are thoroughly enjoying Kasasa offerings because they speak to their lifestyle, and Kasasa Tunes continues to support that movement," added Scharl. "The Kasasa launch has been successful for our credit union and has been met with widespread support from the community."

Northern Star Credit Union is offering other Kasasa banking products, including Kasasa Cash™, Kasasa Saver™, and Kasasa Giving™ at all four of its branches located in the Hampton Roads area.

• Kasasa Cash - A free checking account that rewards consumers with high interest in cash every month.

• Kasasa Saver - A high interest saver account linked to a Kasasa Cash checking account. The high interest and ATM fee refunds earned in the Kasasa Cash account are automatically deposited into the Kasasa Saver account each month. The balance in the Kasasa Saver account also earns a high rate of interest.

• Kasasa Giving - A free checking account that pays consumers high interest AND gives consumers money to donate to his or her selected charity. In addition to earning high interest in their checking account, account holders receive money for every qualifying debit card purchase which is then automatically donated to their selected charity. The more consumers use their debit card, the more money they receive to donate. (The three national partners are American Humane Association, Boys and Girls Clubs of America and Stand Up To Cancer. Institutions may also choose to align with a local cause for account holders to support).

Kasasa is distributed to Northern Star Credit Union from BancVue, the leading provider of innovative products, dynamic marketing, and data-driven consulting solutions to community financial institutions nationwide to help them win the war against the megabanks. BancVue's products have delivered more than one million customers and more than $16 billion in deposits to nearly 700 community banks and credit unions around the country, equaling more than 5,000 branches around the country.

For more information on Kasasa accounts, consumers can visit http://www.nstarcu.org or visit http://www.kasasa.com/nstarcu.

Do you Kasasa
Kasasa® is the first national brand of the most innovative checking accounts available today. The accounts, offered exclusively by the finest community financial institutions, are designed to be the first and only accounts that actually take an interest in their account holders by paying them to use their account with what interests them most—high interest, cash back, automatic savings, money to donate to charity or iTunes® downloads.

Kasasa, developed and distributed by BancVue, marries innovative banking products with the personal touch of community financial institutions. For more information, visit http://www.kasasa.com.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm