William Mills Agency, the largest financial public relations firm serving the technology and services sectors, released its annual “Bankers As Buyers” survey today. This year marks the sixth year that the agency has released the survey, which is a collection of industry research, observations and analyst articles regarding the technology purchase preferences of bankers, credit union executives and lenders. The free report can be downloaded at: http://www.williammills.com/images/pdfs/bab%202009%20final.pdf

     In general, this year’s findings indicate a negative growth rate of technology spending as a result of weaker profits in 2008. It is anticipated that bankers will continue to focus on growing deposits while managing through consolidations and considering how best to use technology to improve overall efficiencies. However, the report indicated areas of opportunity where technology spending is expected to grow this year including analytics, security and technologies that enable better customer service such as mobile banking, enhanced telecommunications solutions and online banking improvements.
The survey examines overall spending as well as individualized spending in the areas of fraud prevention, compliance, customer service, payment systems, and integration. It also offers a community bank perspective and several feature articles on trends in bank technology and spending over the coming year.

     Jeanne Capachin, research vice president, global banking for Financial Insights, an IDC company said, “This will mark the first time negative growth has been forecast for the industry since before Financial Insights and its predecessor firm started forecasting IT spending in the mid-1990s.
In 2009, it is more important than ever for banks to lower their risk, according to Christine Barry, research director for Aite Group. “The largest banks need to have the right analytical tools in place to better evaluate creditworthiness and to have better predictability.”

Included within the survey are additional featured articles:

· “Vendor Strategies in the Financial Services Sector” by Jeanne Capachin, Financial Insights, an IDC Company

· “Credit Unions: Time to Optimize Your Delivery Strategy” by Richard Crone, Crone Consulting LLC

· “Top Ten Trends Impacting Bank Technology for 2009” by Jimmy Sawyers, Securas Consulting Group, LLC

· “Redefining the Value Experience in Banking” by Dennis Roman, TCS Financial Solutions

About William Mills Agency
     William Mills Agency was founded in 1977 and promotes companies that sell a variety of products or services in a number of highly specialized vertical markets. The Atlanta-based agency represents companies throughout North America and Europe. For more information, please visit www.williammills.com or call Mr. Kelly Williams at (678) 781-7202.