Electronic Commerce Brief: Cybersource, L.A. Bank in Marketing Pact

commerce and payment services, announced a marketing alliance with Imperial Bank of Los Angeles.

The subsidiary of Imperial Bancorp is making the Cybersource Internet Commerce Suite -- including real-time payment processing, a popular fraud screening system, tax calculations, and address verifications available through its merchant services division.

"Imperial Bank is taking a leadership role on behalf of its merchants" by addressing the fraud problem within an "end-to-end e-commerce solution," said Cybersource vice president Steve Klebe. The bank is "removing many of the major impediments to the e-commerce success of its merchant clientele."

"Imperial is always looking for ways to enhance products and services for our clients so they can run their businesses more efficiently," said Joseph H. Jorling, senior vice president and manager of the bank's merchant services division.

Cybersource, which has a close relationship with Visa U.S.A. and alliances with leading merchant processors, also made a top-level personnel move, promoting Evan Ellis to president and chief operating officer.

Mr. Ellis, 44, joined the company in April as vice president of North American sales. The president title had previously been held by chairman William McKiernan, who remains chief executive officer.

Mr. Ellis spent nine years with Silicon Graphics Inc. and 12 years before that with International Business Machines Corp.