NW_20000905_en_VASCO Expands Worldwide Presence with Signing of Arab Bank in Jordan for Secure Internet Banking
BRUSSELS, BELGIUM – September 5, 2000 – VASCO Data Security International, Inc. (NASDAQ & EASDAQ: VDSI; www.vasco.com) announced today that Arab Bank – one of the top 200 banks worldwide with more than 400 branches and assets exceeding $25 billion USD – will secure its Internet banking activities with VASCO’s Digipass strong authentication solution. The bank will utilize Digipass to protect the identity, information, and transactions of its Internet banking customers in Jordan with plans to expand this service to all its branches worldwide.
“The signing of Arab Bank in Jordan reinforces VASCO’s position as the leading provider of strong authentication security to the financial industry worldwide,” noted Jan Valcke, General Manager of VASCO. “Today, more than 140 financial institutions and millions of their customers worldwide rely on Digipass security. With Arab Bank, VASCO has taken an important first step in the strong and rapidly growing banking market in the Middle East.”
Arab Bank started its Internet banking service for retail customers, using the e-services platform Twister from Brokat Infosystems, the leading supplier of software for secure e-banking and e-business solutions. The service offers all regular banking transactions, such as money transfers and account statements, in both English and Arabic.
Instrumental in helping Arab Bank achieve a rapid time-to-market for secure Internet banking was the Jordanian software company Specialized Technical Services (STS), as well as its sister company Zeine Technological Applications (Zeine). The companies integrated Brokat’s Twister platform – which has the added advantage of having Digipass support built in for plug-and-play security capability – into the business and technology framework of the bank. All the bank’s customers will need to conduct secure Internet banking transfers is Internet access, a Java-enabled browser, and their unique Digipass.
About VASCO
VASCO secures the enterprise from the mainframe to the Internet with infrastructure solutions that enable secure e-business and e-commerce, protect sensitive information, and safeguard the identity of users. The company’s family of Digipass™, VACMAN®, and SnareWorks™ products offers end-to-end security through true Single Sign-On, access control and advanced entitlements, web portal security, strong user authentication, and PKI enablement, while sharply reducing the time and effort required to deploy and manage security. VASCO’s customers include hundreds of financial institutions, blue-chip corporations, and government agencies in more than 50 countries, among them John Hancock, ABN AMRO Bank, Shell, 3M, Ericsson, Rabobank, SEB, First Union, Liberty Mutual, Cable and Wireless, Nokia, DaimlerChrysler, Volvo, European Commission, US Coast Guard, University of Groningen, and Duke University. More information is available at www.vasco.com.
About Arab Bank
Arab Bank, established in Jerusalem on 21st of May 1930, is a leading international institution with more than 400 branches worldwide, a consistent record of profitability and an unequalled reputation for prudence and reliability. Arab Bank is the largest privately owned and most geographically widespread Arab institution in the world. The bank has always played a major role in trade and project financing in all its areas of operation. An equally strong commitment to prudent management has guaranteed the Arab Bank to an unbroken record of profitability without hampering its dynamic expansion, both geographically and into new service areas as well as its enthusiastic adoption of the latest in technology for both management and customer services.
About STS/Zeine
STS is a regional system integrator providing high quality solutions and services for e-Business. STS is specialized in setting up Internet services, security, e-Banking, e-Payment, e-Commerce and e-Government solutions. Zeine was established in 1991. Zeine's mission is to be the best regional Software Company with global recognition. This vision grew out of a commitment to excellence and has been realized by utilizing cutting edge techniques in software design, development and innovation.
About BROKAT Infosystems
Brokat Infosystems Ges.m.b.H. is among the world's leading suppliers of software for e-Business solutions, and is the worldwide market leader in the Internet banking segment. Its key product is the modular e-Services platform Twister. This multi-industry software package integrates existing IT systems and applications within companies, and provides secure links to various electronic channels like the Internet and mobile communications. Information on the Company and its products is also available on the Internet at www.brokat.com.
Forward Looking Statements
Statements made in this news release that relate to future plans, events or performances are forward-looking statements. Any statement containing words such as “believes,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “expects,” and similar words, is forward-looking, and these statements involve risks and uncertainties and are based on current expectations. Consequently, actual results could differ materially from the expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements.
Reference is made to the Company’s public filings with the US Securities and Exchange Commission for further information regarding the Company and its operations.
For more information please contact:
Americas:
Media: Kerry Roche, Bridgeman Communications, +1 617 742 7270, [email protected]
Investor Relations: Todd Fromer, KCSA Public Relations Worldwide, +1 212 682 6300, [email protected]
VASCO: Mike Lange, +1 630 932 8844, [email protected]
Europe/Asia:
Media (Benelux): Bob Pieters, Anthonissen & Associates, +32 3 286 7777, [email protected]
Media (Europe/Asia): Sven Kersten, HBI, +49 89 99 38 87 33, [email protected]
Investor Relations: Annemieke Blondeel, LBConsult, +44 208 308 7080, [email protected]
VASCO: Ariane Bosmans, +32 2 456 9810, [email protected]