UCB ADOPTS JAVA WEB PRODUCT FROM BROKAT

United California Bank (UCB), the third-largest bank headquartered in California, has launched the first phase of WebDirect, its commercial Internet banking service based on Enterprise Java Beans and Java 2 Enterprise Edition (EJB/J2EE).

The $11 billion bank licensed a suite of corporate banking products from Brokat Technologies, including Brokat's Financial Framework infrastructure, information reporting, stop payment, account transfer, wire transfer, ACH, positive pay, and other functionality.

Through WebDirect, United California Bank will offer corporate banking customers reliable Internet access to critical cash management functions while eliminating the distribution and maintenance hassles of costly PC client software.

Created earlier this year through the merger of Sanwa Bank and Tokai Bank, UCB has planned a phased approach to integrate Brokat's front-end commercial Internet banking solution with UCB's back-office systems, including DDA accounting, imaging systems and various payment processing systems. The solution uses XML-based APIs and a modular plug-and-play-type interface to support batch and online realtime interfaces to the various back-office systems. This simplifies future changes and additions to those interfaces and provides a solid foundation to quickly offer new services.

"United California Bank is committed to providing the best cash management services to our customers," according to Janet Nugent, senior vice president of corporate banking at UCB. "By going with Brokat's product, we have state-of-the-art technology to carry us into the future."

United California Bank's customers will receive the latest Internet banking services, including imaging systems for information reporting and positive pay, and digital certificates for strong authentication and security of wire transfers. UCB expects to realize cost savings and operational efficiencies by automating processes like exception handling. New services, delivery channels and bank interfaces can be easily added.