Neighborhood Notes

Thursday June 30, 11:55 am ET

Bank Has Starring Role in a Microsoft Video That Gives Consumers a Picture of the Transformational Power of Technology in Banking


PORTLAND, Ore., June 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Umpqua Bank, a subsidiary of Umpqua Holdings Corporation (Nasdaq: UMPQ - News), and its flagship Pearl District store in Portland, Ore. are featured in a new, two-minute video by Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq: MSFT - News) showcasing technology concepts with the potential to change the way people bank. Microsoft chose Umpqua Bank's Pearl District store as the ideal venue to demonstrate Microsoft's experience Banking initiative due to its innovative approach to customer service and store design.

"The objective of the experience Banking initiative is to help customers and partners understand Microsoft's vision of how technology can help banks transform customer, employee and operations experiences," said Ian Sands, director of Industry Innovations Group at Microsoft Corp. "We looked at banks around the world, and Umpqua Bank provided the perfect setting to illustrate our concepts."

"Microsoft's state-of-the art banking concepts have the potential to significantly increase the level of convenience and service for consumers," said Ray Davis, Umpqua Bank CEO. "Microsoft's experience Banking initiative clearly supports our mission of providing exceptional customer service and personalized experience in a unique environment."

Microsoft's vision includes such concepts as enabling a customer's personal digital assistant (PDA) or cell phone to send an identifying signal to bank associates when the customer enters the store. In turn, an associate can immediately begin the process of accessing the customer's account to help reduce wait times. If using a bank kiosk, the customer could use the PDA to quickly transfer personal information to apply for a loan or other account services. The technology could also be used by a customer to transfer promotional information from in-store digital marketing displays directly on to their PDA.

Microsoft will use the video at conferences and events for information technology officers and decision makers to illustrate what technologies could be coming to the industry within the decade. The technologies, some of which are still in the development stage, are all based on Microsoft® software that aims to improve customer service.

About Umpqua Bank

Umpqua Bank, headquartered in Roseburg, Ore., is a subsidiary of Umpqua Holdings Corporation and has 93 locations between Sacramento, Calif. and Bellevue, Wash., along the Oregon and Northern California Coast and in Central Oregon. In 2004, Umpqua Bank launched the Connect Volunteer Network, an innovative, paid volunteer program focused on youth and education. Bank associates volunteered at more than 100 organizations in the program's first year. Umpqua Holdings also owns retail brokerage subsidiary Strand, Atkinson, Williams & York, Inc., which has locations in Umpqua Bank stores and in dedicated offices throughout Oregon and Southwest Washington. Umpqua Bank's Private Client Services Division provides tailored financial services and products to individual customers. Umpqua Holdings Corporation is headquartered in Portland, Ore. For more information, visit www.umpquabank.com.

About Microsoft's experience Banking Initiative

Experience Banking helps banks change the customer, employee and operations experience so they can achieve increased market share and profitability. The initiative was launched with the support of leading software, hardware and systems integration partners delivering solutions based on the Microsoft platform. Experience Banking is designed to help banks differentiate their brand and achieve a competitive advantage with increased employee satisfaction and productivity, faster response to changing market needs, and reduced total cost of ownership. More information can be found at http://www.microsoft.com/experiencebanking .

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

NOTE: Microsoft is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.

The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Source: Umpqua Bank