Desert Schools Federal Credit Union Selects APPRO Systems For Both Consumer and Small Business Lending

APPRO Systems, Inc., the leading provider of automated credit risk management and loan origination technologies for the lending industry, today announced that Phoenix-based, Desert Schools Federal Credit Union, will implement its LoanCenter for Consumer(TM) (LLC) and LoanCenter for Business(TM) (LCB) automated loan processing systems through an application service provider (ASP) model.

Desert Schools FCU purchased the system in December 2002 and anticipates going live in July 2003.

LoanCenter for Business is an automated credit evaluation system designed to meet the special needs of commercial lenders that serve small businesses and LoanCenter for Consumer(TM) performs the same functionality for the consumer market.

"Being able to process loans quickly via an automated decision will give us a market edge locally as we compete with community banks," said Robin O'Rorke, vice president of Desert Schools FCU. "APPRO's combination of functionality and flexibility will allow us to make better lending decisions while utilizing the technology builds a foundation for future growth in the lending area."

According to company officials, Desert Schools FCU chose LLC and LCB because of its responsiveness and its ability to provide a faster and more accurate loan decision. The credit union wanted to simplify the application process as well as have the benefit of multiple management reports.

"With the use of LLC and LCB, Desert Schools Federal Credit Union will greatly improve their loan volume by streamlining the systems and processes necessary to close both small business and consumer loans," said Steve Uffman, CEO of APPRO Systems, Inc. "In addition, the credit union will be better positioned to provide superior lending services to its members and further differentiate itself from its competition."

About Desert Schools Federal Credit Union

Founded in 1939, Phoenix-based Desert Schools Federal Credit Union proudly serves more than 245,000 members with more than $1.7 billion in assets through educational programs, community involvement and a full range of financial services. For more information about Desert Schools Federal Credit Union and its members and services, visit the credit union's Web site at www.desertschools.org.

About APPRO Systems, Inc.

APPRO Systems, Inc. is the lending industry's leading provider of comprehensive, automated credit risk management and financial technologies for the Internet and traditional lending environments. APPRO supports more than 250 financial institutions, with customers of all types in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. The company provides rapid implementation time and professional services for its signature product, LoanCenter(TM), a scalable software system that enables high decision quality and speed and automates the entire workflow of processing credit applications and originating loans for lenders of all sizes. The 22-year-old company is based in Baton Rouge, La. with additional offices in Dallas, Texas.

COPYRIGHT 2003 Business Wire, 2003 Gale Group

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Rates on 30-year mortgages edged down last week to a seven-month low. Mortgage-giant Freddie Mac reported Thursday that 30-year, fixed-rate mortgages fell to 6.3 percent, down slightly from 6.31 percent two weeks ago. It put rates at the lowest level since they were at 6.24 percent the first week of March.

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