Delegation of Japanese Bankers to Visit Customers Bank

WYOMISSING, Pa., July 12, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- A delegation of nine Japanese bankers will visit Customers Bank's Port Chester office on July 13, 2011. Sponsored by the Nikkin – Japan Financial News Co., the delegation is taking part in Nikkin's 34th Banking Study Mission, which is studying USA retail banking models.

Nikkin became aware of Customers Bank's customer-centric retail model when Richard Ehst, President and Chief Operating Officer, addressed Nikkin's The 21st Special Seminar on International Finance, in Tokyo. In his address, entitled It's all about customer service, Ehst explained that he and his colleagues built Customers Bank on the belief that "...the whole of the customer experience including the quality of customer service is the brand. The experience we create for our customers – good or bad -- is how we are known."

During his address, Ehst explained the importance of customer service as a brand driver from Customers Bank perspective. "In the United States and for banks everywhere, the brand is how customers perceive how the bank treats them. The key brand drivers are service quality, simplicity, convenience, sound financial advice and advocacy."

Warren Taylor, President, Community Banking, will share with the visiting Japanese bankers the Bank's passion, reflected by its name, to place the needs of its customers at the forefront of all that the Bank does.  During the visit, Taylor will describe the customers' experience of an entirely new way of banking, which features high touch and high tech customized service including mobile banking that allows customers to bank when, where and how they choose.  He will describe customers' reactions to the Bank's simple to understand and easy to use products focusing on a Convenience Checking Account that automatically refunds all ATM surcharges when customers use any of the 400,000 ATMs in the U.S.  Taylor will point out that customers are tired of paying nuisance fees and that the Bank's growth has been supported by customers' appreciation of products that are simple to understand and easy to use.

About Customers Bank

Customers Bank (the "Bank") is a state-chartered, full-service bank headquartered in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania.  The Bank is a member of the Federal Reserve System and is insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).  With assets of more than $1.6 billion, the Bank provides a full range of banking services to small and medium-sized businesses, professionals, individuals and families through branch locations in Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey. The Bank is focused on serving its targeted markets with a growth strategy that includes strategically placed branches throughout its market area and continually expanding its portfolio of loans to small businesses and consumers.  

"Safe Harbor" Statement

In addition to historical information, this information may contain "forward-looking statements" which are made in good faith by the Bank, pursuant to the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  These forward-looking statements include statements with respect to the Bank's strategies, goals, beliefs, expectations, estimates, intentions, financial condition, results of operations, future performance and business.  Statements preceded by, followed by or that include the words "may," "could," "should," "pro forma," "looking forward," "would,"  "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "intend," "plan," or similar expressions generally indicate a forward-looking statement.  These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that are subject to change based on various important factors (some of which, in whole or in part, are beyond the Bank's control).  Numerous competitive, economic, regulatory, legal and technological factors, among others, could cause the Bank's financial performance to differ materially from the goals, plans, objectives, intentions and expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements.  The Bank cautions that the foregoing factors are not exclusive, and neither such factors nor any such forward-looking statement takes into account the impact that any future acquisition may have on the Bank and any such forward-looking statement.  The Bank does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time by or on behalf of the Bank.

SOURCE Customers Bank