DALLAS, Texas, March 5, 2004 – The Robert E. Nolan Company today announced the schedule for its 10th annual Efficiency Ratio Benchmarking Study, the only comprehensive quantitative analysis of its kind within the banking industry.

Nolan invites banks and credit unions with over $1 billion in assets to participate in the study. Participants, which in 2003 included 70 of the nation’s top financial institutions, benefit from a unique analysis of income, expense, staffing levels and productivity by line of business.

Upon study completion, the participating institutions receive an executive summary identifying the strengths and opportunities for improvement within their organization. Study participants also receive a CD containing charts for over 1,000 ratios measuring their efficiency and effectiveness compared to benchmark (top quartile), median and average performers in each business area.  Nolan plans to distribute results to participants by early July 2004.

“The study results give executive management a structured process for identifying departments and lines of business that have the greatest opportunity for immediate profit improvement,” says Robert Grasing, President. “The efficiency ratio is one of the most closely scrutinized performance ratios for financial institutions. This study compares each institution’s revenue, expense and productivity factors in detail against those of the most efficient banks of similar asset size.”

The 2004 Efficiency Ratio Benchmarking Study is based on 2003 year-end data. All data and information submitted by participants is kept strictly confidential. Only aggregate pool statistics are reported for comparison.

The study is free of charge. To register your eligible institution for the 2004 Efficiency Ratio Benchmarking Study, visit www.bankbenchmarks.com before March 26, 2004.

The Robert E. Nolan Company is a management consulting firm specializing in the banking and financial services industries. For more information, visit www.renolan.com.