SOs seeking to understand the latest developments facing the Automated Clearing House (ACH) and the nation's electronic payments system in 2003 will have an opportunity to purchase payment publications and enroll in seminars and workshops at discounted prices through a partnership between The Green Sheet and Western Payments Alliance (WesPay).

Through March 31, 2003, WesPay will allow Green Sheet subscribers to buy any of 25 publications and sign up for any of a dozen highly acclaimed workshops and seminars usually offered only to WesPay members. Discounts will save ISOs 20% to 50% off the regular price of WesPay's publications and/or seminars.

"Green Sheet readers realize that their success in growing sales and getting closer to customers depends on a thorough knowledge of the ACH and the entire payments system," said Julie O'Ryan-Dempsey, Vice President/General Manager of The Green Sheet. "As one of the most innovative payment organizations in the country, WesPay can help ISOs by providing a wealth of detailed insight and understanding of the key payment issues facing financial institutions.

"Offering ISOs a discount on WesPay products and services - as well as Associate Membership in the organization - is yet another way The Green Sheet is adding value for readers."

Founded in 1876, WesPay (www.wespay.org) has more than 1,000 member banks, thrifts and credit unions in the western U.S. and Pacific region. As a cooperative, non-profit payment organization, WesPay enables members to efficiently process paper-based and electronic financial transactions. Each day, WesPay collects and clears more than 7 million checks totaling $7 billion in value. As a NACHA member, WesPay also acts as the rulemaking authority governing member transactions flowing through the ACH.

"WesPay is delighted to partner with The Green Sheet to offer ISOs a valuable tool to help them achieve their business objectives," said Gerard F. Milano, President and Chief Executive Officer of WesPay. "WesPay recognizes the increasingly important role that ISOs play in providing innovative technology solutions for a new era of electronic payments.

"WesPay's nationally recognized workshops, seminars and publications are among the many benefits that ISOs can routinely receive as Associate Members of the nation's pre-eminent payment organization."

WesPay's workshops and seminars offer a core curriculum that includes the following classroom courses:

• ACH Rules Implementation.
• Fundamentals of ACH Receiving
• ACH Compliance
• Payments Risk Management
• Government Payments
• ACH Origination
• Advanced Payment Topics
• Fundamentals of Check Processing and Check Fraud

These courses take place regularly and are offered in cities throughout WesPay's service area, including San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, Pasadena, Sacramento, Portland, Las Vegas and Las Vegas.

To ensure that classes are accessible regardless of geography, WesPay's Payments Academy Online allows participants to complete courses via the Internet.

Complementing WesPay's educational programs is a full range of publications to keep ISOs updated on the latest rules, regulations and trends impacting the ACH and the payment industry. WesPay's best-selling publications include:

• What is the ACH?
• Self-Audit Survival Guide for ACH Rule Compliance
• ACH Return Entry Survival Guide
• AAP Exam Preparation
• The Regulation E Book Guidelines for ACH Compliance
• ACH Risk - A Quick Reference Guide

The Benefits of Membership

Milano said that after this special offer expires on March 31 2003, ISOs can continue to enjoy discounted pricing on seminars and publications - in addition to a variety of other benefits - by becoming an Associate Member of the organization.

WesPay offers silver-, gold- and platinum-level memberships that provide a comprehensive suite of services, including access to WesPay membership and participation in sponsorship opportunities and other programs. Associate Membership starts at $625 per year.

A key benefit of Associate Membership is Payments Symposium 2003, the premier payments conference in the western U.S., scheduled for Oct. 29-31, 2003.

Payments Symposium 2002, which took place Nov. 3-5 at the Palace Hotel in San Francisco, attracted more than 200 bankers and payment professionals. Featured presentations included one by Federal Reserve Board Vice Chairman Roger Ferguson. Payments Symposium 2002 also had 15 corporate sponsors who exhibited during the show and appeared in both print and online materials about the event.

"Payments Symposium 2003 is tailor-made for ISOs seeking to reach payment professionals working for the most influential banks in the western U.S.," Milano said. "WesPay is very interested in having ISOs take a greater role in Payments Symposium 2003 and is working on ISO sessions and sponsorship opportunities to achieve that goal. We are pleased to have The Green Sheet participate as a Media Sponsor for the 2003 Symposium."

To purchase a publication or enroll in a WesPay workshop or seminar, visit www.wespay.org, download the order form and fax it to WesPay at 415-433-1370. Publications, seminars and workshops are subject to availability - first come, first served.

To find out more about Associate Membership or Payments Symposium 2003, phone 415-433-1230 or send an e-mail to greensheet@wespay.org.