Boatmen's Bancshares in St. Louis has agreed to install an updated Windows-based version of branch automation software for commercial-loan documentation.
The WinPrism software, developed by Broadway & Seymour Inc., offers Windows processing capabilities as an alternative to the of Charlotte, N.C., firm's BancStar software, designed for computers with the OS2 operating system.
The program is designed to streamline the functions of a branch onto one system that a bank can customize, Broadway & Seymour executives said.
Boatmen's will use WinPrism to perform a number of functions in its commercial-loan unit, including document preparation, credit and collateral reporting, and loan booking.
Broadway & Seymour executives said they developed the new version based on demand from existing bank clients who were clamoring for Windows-based software.
"With the operating system war in banks, people needed to know there were alternatives," said Melissa Potter, product manager at Broadway & Seymour.
"We didn't want to have to worry about what operating system our bank customers used."
Fourth Financial Corp., a Wichita, Kan., bank acquired by Boatmen's, had already used the OS2 version - BancStar - in its commercial and retail lending units.
Boatmen's opted to transfer the technology to its own commercial loan unit and was the chief lobbyist for the Windows update because the bank already used that operating system widely. Boatmen's executives confirmed they played such a role, but declined to comment further pending the bank's acquisition by NationsBank Corp. of Charlotte, N.C.
Sixteen former Fourth Financial sites in Kansas have already been converted to the new software. Boatmen's will begin converting additional sites in Missouri and Arkansas early next year, said executives there.
The retail loan documentation unit will continue to use a DOS-based system Boatmen's already had in place prior to its acquisition of Fourth Financial, said bank executives.
It is uncertain whether NationsBank will implement the WinPrism software in its own commercial loan unit, Boatmen's executives said.
Another 30 Broadway & Seymour bank clients will be offered the update beginning in January when the product is officially launched, Ms. Potter said.
