A Letter from John Waupsh, CEO, BancVue Interactive, formerly FIRST ROI

It's hard to believe how much has transpired since FIRST ROI was founded just four years ago.

At the time, BancVue was still in the start-up phase, launching its first product, REWARDChecking®, with the initial pioneering 20 or so institutions. Those partners also required an online marketing leader in the community banking industry.

To meet this need, BancVue and I formed a separate company with an interactive marketing focus: FIRST ROI. Today, over 450 community banks and credit unions now benefit from our world-class marketing and online account opening programs.

But times have changed, clients needs have changed, and so, too, have we.

To develop the innovative, market-ready products and services that community financial institutions need to win the war against the megabanks, BancVue and FIRST ROI have grown increasingly interdependent. And that's a truly magical thing.

But one seemingly small, yet significant issue still stuck in my craw. Ultimately, "FIRST ROI" is not "BancVue." It's time for this to change.

March 1, 2010: FIRST ROI becomes BancVue Interactive.

I am proud to announce that FIRST ROI is now BancVue Interactive – a change that comes exactly four years after FIRST ROI was founded. The new name not only best represents the company's dedication to online services, but also better conveys the unification of the BancVue family.

BancVue Interactive will remain a majority owned subsidiary of BancVue. And to preempt any concerns, absolutely no personnel changes will result from the new name.

On the contrary, our two companies have hired more than 150 new employees amidst this historical recession – a testament to the strength of our teams' growing interdependence.

Encouraged by the overwhelming success of our clients' product launches, the BancVue family expects even bigger and better things for the future of our community banking partners.

As with any significant change, integrating the new name and completely unifying both companies will not happen overnight (full integration slated for Q4 2010).

We couldn't be more optimistic about BancVue Interactive and what it holds for our community banking partners.

Innovation is fueled by interdependence. With BancVue and BancVue Interactive together, our clients will be armed with even more formidable weapons in their battle for market dominance.

For more information on BancVue, visit www.BancVue.com

Click here to read the press release

Combined Expertise

BancVue Interactive

BancVue Interactive is a research-driven interactive company that develops innovative, market-ready products and services for community financial institutions to win the war against the megabanks. BancVue Interactive helps over 450 community banks and credit unions nationwide capture more consumers online, easing them through a sales funnel, and converting them into new accounts.

BancVue

BancVue Interactive's parent company, BancVue, developed the REALChecking® system of products (including its flagship account, REWARDChecking®) in 2003. REALChecking deploys a full range of marketing, consulting and training initiatives to empower community banks and credit unions to acquire new account holders, spur technology adoption and slash attrition rates.

Association Partnerships

• Community Bankers Association of Illinois
• Independent Bankers Association of Texas
• Texas Bankers Association
• Western Independent Bankers

Industry Awards

• BancVue/BancVue Interactive Awarded Best of Show At Finovate 2009
• BancVue Receives Austin Business Journal Award For The Fastest Growing Company in Central Texas
• BancVue CEO, Gabriel Krajicek, Honored As A Finalist In The Ernst & Young, Entrepreneur of The Year Award

CheckingFinder

On June 2, 2008, BancVue Interactive launched CheckingFinder.com, the revolutionary search engine for the world's greatest checking account. As a result, community banks and credit unions now readily promote their REWARDChecking® accounts to a wide online audience. And consumers now have a place they can find, compare and open these accounts quickly and easily. Since its launch, CheckingFinder™ has gained nationwide acclaim from the media and peers alike, winning several key industry awards.

Awards & Accolades

• Best in Show at FinovateStartup 2008, by an audience of financial industry executives, industry analysts, and financial media representatives
• Best Money Saving Tools Award from Wise Bread, a community of bloggers whose product reviews are picked up by the likes of New York Times, MSN, The Guardian, NPR, Self Magazine, etc.
• 2008 Bank News Innovative Solutions Award for Best Online/Remote/Mobile Solution