Top Banks Improve Their Bottom Lines, Using Nolan Study

DALLAS, Texas, March 7, 2005 - The Robert E. Nolan Company today announced the schedule for its 2005 Efficiency Ratio Benchmarking Study. Drawing participation from more than 50 top U.S. banks, thrifts and credit unions, this annual study provides participants with a level of quantitative analysis currently unmatched in the banking industry.

Nolan invites U.S. financial institutions with more than $1 billion in assets to participate in the study. Participants, typically ranging from $1 billion to $100 billion in asset size, benefit from a unique analysis of income, expense, staffing levels and productivity by line of business.

Upon study completion, each participant receives an extensive results package containing both summary and detailed comparative measures. “We provide a custom-tailored executive summary that identifies the strengths and opportunities for improvement in the participating organization,” says Robert Grasing, President. “Participants also receive proprietary charts showing 1,098 performance ratios measuring efficiency and effectiveness compared to benchmark (top-quartile), median and average performers in each line of business.”

The 2005 Efficiency Ratio Benchmarking Study is based on 2004 year-end data. All data and information submitted by participants is kept strictly confidential. Only aggregate pool statistics are reported for comparison. Nolan plans to distribute results to participants by early July 2005.

Registration details are available on www.bankbenchmarks.com. Nolan is currently accepting study registrations secured on or before March 28, 2005.

The Robert E. Nolan Company is a management consulting firm specializing in the insurance industry. Since 1973, the company has been helping insurance companies achieve measurable improvements in service, quality, productivity and costs by helping them achieve an optimum blend of people, process and technology.

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