U.S. Postal Service Recognizes Premier Bankcard At 2008 National Postal Forum

ANAHEIM, CA — The U.S. Postal Service today recognized Premier Bankcard with its Strategic Business Development Award for the company’s commitment to a successful business partnership with the Postal Service. At each National Postal Forum, a select group of Postal customers is acknowledged and recognized by for their contributions to the continued success of the mailing industry.

The Strategic Business Development Award, one of three “best in class” awards presented annually at the Forum, recognizes customers who have taken steps to implement new technologies and best practices to maximize efficiencies in the mail value chain. They have employed modern technologies and automation in their mail operations to improve productivity. These operational improvements have streamlined their production and provided their customers with a mail product that delivers increased value and business results.

Premier Bankcard, headquartered in Sioux Falls, SD, is a top ten Visa/MasterCard provider to 4 million customers. Premier is an industry leader in service to the under-served, yet credit worthy, sub-prime market. The key areas of Premier’s Strategic Business Development was to define and refine Direct Marketing processes, put “Intelligence in Action” for address quality as well as in segmentation, and refine targeting for gaining additional market share.

As an experienced direct marketer, Premier has continually demonstrated their commitment in direct marketing with refined processes, methodology, and analytics resulting in dramatic marketing dollar increases for customer acquisition.  Premier’s Acquisition Strategy was refined through continuous test efforts for customer modeling, as well as a focus on improved address quality measures.

Premier tested other channels such as email and the internet, but Direct Mail championed Lifetime Value resulting in dedicated budget increases to Direct Mail. Premier also understands the value of Address Quality and the Postmaster General’s 2010 Address Initiatives. Concentrated efforts established Premier’s address list quality strategies of DPV, NCOA Link, and ACS. In addition, a planned implementation of the Intelligent Mail Barcode has been achieved for Originating Confirm to reduce collection activity and costs, as well as including OneCode ACS for data quality and efficiency for existing Premier customers.

In Premier’s own words, “Direct Mail and Address Quality work!” In the words of the USPS Sales team, “Premier Bankcard exemplifies Today’s Mail exceeding Tomorrow’s Expectations! We look forward to continue acceleration in 2008 with Premier Bankcard to become a nationally recognized Visa/MasterCard provider!

Premier Bankcard was nominated for this award by Postal Service Dakotas District Manager Clem Felchle.

“We are pleased to recognize and honor Premier Bankcard for its innovation, creativity and leadership,” said Felchle. “By using postal products and services in new ways, Premier has produced winning business results and supported the mailing industry.”

The National Postal Forum is the mailing industry’s premier trade show and event. More than 7,000 industry professionals attend the four-day conference that features 140 workshops and special sessions, four symposiums and 13 professional certificate programs.

For more information on the 2008 National Postal Forum, visit www.npf.org.