First National of Anchorage Buys Imaging Gear from Unisys

First National Bank of Anchorage has bought an image-based check archiving system from Unisys Corp.

The system, called Iris (for image retrieval and information system), was developed by Unisys and Milwaukee-based Fiserv Inc. The Alaska bank is the first buyer.

Officials said the archiving technology will give the bank fee- generating income by offering customers imaged check statements, CD-ROMs or diskettes containing corporate-issued checks, and the ability to offer on- line check image services to its corporate customers.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

"We can enhance our customer service by expediting the research process and offer image-based products to our account holders," said Betsy Lawer, vice chairwoman of the $1.5 billion-asset bank.

Ms. Lawer said the client/server system enables the Alaska-based bank to store as many as 30 million check images for seven years, saving on operational costs by processing checks only once rather than several items.

The bank will no longer need to deliver paper checks to its 28 branches dotting Alaska's rugged terrain. The bank has offices in 16 communities, some of which are accessible only by planes, boats, or snowmobiles.

Jeannine V. Thurman, a manager at Blue Bell, Pa.-based Unisys, said the bank will offer statement rendition services, allowing it to "reduce postage costs and increase benefits in its operations."

First National processes 120,000 to 250,0000 items daily on Unisys hardware and software.

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