The upgrade is designed to improve the conversion rate of online account opening and reflects CashEdge's commitment to innovation as it relates to online transactions. OpenNow/FundNow was first introduced in November 2004. Since then, more than 20 financial institutions have embraced online account opening and funding utilizing CashEdge's solution, which marries account opening and funding in a single transaction.

With a focus on new applicant success rates, the upgrades to OpenNow/FundNow include:

• Streamlined application and funding process - more intuitive and easier to navigate;
• Increased customer guidance - context-specific help for improved user experience;
• More flexible funding process - more alternatives for account funding and verification;
• Simpler joint application process - in a single, four-step session.

"We are continually looking for opportunities to make online account opening and funding easier for the customer and to strip away any hurdles that might cause them to fail to complete the process. As a result of our latest upgrades, we are already seeing significant improvements in success rates," commented Sanjeev Dheer, CEO of CashEdge. "Over time, online account opening and funding will become the standard for retail banking customer acquisition. We think it's inevitable because it combines a better customer experience with lower costs for the bank."

The new OpenNow/FundNow product is now available to all financial institutions seeking to streamline and fully leverage their online channel for customer acquisition.