First Research Expands Community Banking Team to Support Growing Demand for Industry Intelligence

RALEIGH, NC (August 15, 2007) - First Research Inc., the leading provider of Industry Intelligence, announced today that it has expanded its relationship management team to respond to growth in the community banking industry. The team, founded in 1999, currently supports hundreds of community bankers who prefer to use First Research Industry Intelligence throughout their business process. The community banking team is headed by Darren Pierce, former banker and director of community banking at First Research.

“Due to an exponential growth of community bankers using First Research in their client acquisition and management process we have taken the initiative to expand our team,” said Pierce. “We want to provide the best Industry Intelligence solution and customer care possible to ensure community bankers are more successful.”

The relationship management team was expanded to counter the increasing demand from community bankers for Industry Intelligence. As competition mounts in the banking industry among financial institutions, the task of maintaining strong net interest margins becomes difficult. Community bankers have turned to Industry Intelligence to position consultative value and earn business on value based relationships as opposed to price.

“First Research provides the tools to help small business bankers stay current on industry issues,” said Jack Hubbard, Chairman of St. Meyer & Hubbard, Inc. “Community banks have to use limited resources wisely so they are especially looking for ways to save valuable time in the sales process, while establishing value-focused partnerships with businesses in the markets the banks serve.”

First Research’s comprehensive suite of Industry Intelligence tools include:

• Industry Profiles - In-depth market analysis covering more than 600 industry segments to help community banks stay on top of constant changes in the select industries of their clients and prospects.
• Call Prep Sheets - One-page executive summaries that provide a quick way to engage prospects and build confidence.
• Email Alerts – Emails containing key industry challenges to provide the recent information needed to engage new prospects and deepen client relationships.
• State and Province Profiles – Summaries of critical industry and business conditions, key employment data and overall economic issues affecting businesses in each state, the District of Columbia and 10 Canadian provinces.

About First Research

First Research, a D&B company, is the leading provider of Industry Intelligence tools designed to help community bankers save time, demonstrate expertise and strengthen client relationships. The complete Industry Intelligence solution – Industry Profiles, Call Prep Sheets, State & Province Profiles and Email Alerts – helps bankers better understand a prospect’s or client’s business issues throughout the business relationship. Used by more than 60,000 sales professionals, First Research community banking customers include Fidelity Bank, Park National Bank, Pinnacle Financial Partners and Bangor Savings Bank. First Research is a Preferred Solutions Provider of America’s Community Bankers (ACB). ACB members receive preferred pricing on all First Research Industry Intelligence Tools. For more information please visit www.firstresearch.com.


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Media Contact:

Lisa Hyatt Smith
919.861.0946
lhsmith@firstresearch.com

Lindsey Underwood
919.861.0854
lunderwood@firstresearch.com