This new approach to reward programs links bank debit card customers to retailers through a partnership with the bank. The result in customer behavior is a boost in debit card usage, stimulated purchase behavior among inactive customers, cross-sell opportunities, and most importantly to the bank, a significant impact to overall customer acquisition and retention.

Integra Bank has partnered with Affinity Solutions, the leading designer of merchant-funded, issuer-funded and enterprise rewards programs, to create RewardMe! With over 400 retail partners, representing over 20,000 retail locations, Affinity has built the platform upon which the program operates. A small sample of participating retailers include Barnes & Noble, Gap, Starbucks, Sears, Kohls, Best Buy, Petsmart, Expedia, Taco Bell, and Victoria’s Secret.

Integra’s program provides a winning formula for the key stakeholders:

Customer Wins

Most reward programs allow their customers to earn points toward future redemptions of gifts or travel. These require the customer to manage their points and complete order forms when redeeming points. Integra’s RewardMe! Program allows each debit card holder to earn cash rewards up to 25% of the purchase price from national and local brand name retailers when they use their Integra debit card to make purchases. Based on the retailer, eligible purchases can be made in-store, by phone and/or online. In addition, there is nothing additional that the customer has to do. Cash rewards are automatically credited to the customer’s Integra checking account each month.

Retailer Wins

Participating retailers have the opportunity to gain new customers with no out-of-pocket advertising expense. Integra communicates the offers directly with the debit card customers and the retailer’s only expense is the cost of the rebate they choose to offer. Additionally, Affinity Solutions utilizes proprietary segmentation and targeting strategies to align the right retailer offer with the right customer at the right time—ensuring maximum customer engagement.

Bank Wins

With RewardMe!, Integra Bank offers an exciting program that is highly differentiated from any other in the market place, increased customer loyalty and profitability, and enhanced value propositions.

Cardholders can use the program’s website, www.integrabank.com/rewardme to view participating retailers and their offers, shop online, and monitor their cash rewards. Cash rewards are automatically credited to their Integra checking account each month.

“Integra is focused on building lasting customer relationships by meeting its customers’ needs with the right products and quality service,” commented Greg Pence, Executive Vice President and Director of Marketing. “The bank sought a differentiated loyalty program to support its marketing strategy, and to build upon our High Performance Checking acquisition program. Research has proven that card activation rates, spend per transaction and overall transaction volumes are all positively influenced by rewards and loyalty programs.” Affinity Solutions President and CEO, Jonathan Silver, said, “Now more than ever, financial institutions need to find creative ways to attract and retain their customers. Integra has recognized this, and we’re very pleased to have partnered with them to create RewardMe!, a program designed to provide an across the board benefit to Integra Bank, the participating retail partners and, of course, its customers. It’s a perfect match.”

For more information on RewardMe!, please visit the program website at www.integrabank.com/rewardme.

About Integra

Headquartered in Evansville, Integra Bank Corporation is the parent of Integra Bank N.A. As of March 31, 2009, Integra has $3.6 billion in total assets and operates 75 banking centers and 125 ATMs at locations in Indiana, Kentucky, Illinois and Ohio. Integra Bank Corporation’s common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol IBNK. Additional information may be found at Integra’s web site, www.integrabank.com.

The Integra Bank Corporation logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=3858

About Affinity Solutions

Founded in 1998, Affinity Solutions has developed hundreds of offline and online relationship marketing programs. Its innovative programs integrate rich insights into consumer behavior, rebate rewards, experiential benefits, and editorial content, to drive deeper customer relationships for its partners. Affinity Solutions provides a full range of services—from strategic consultation, to segmentation marketing, to technical innovation, and creative direction—to deliver every aspect of building and maintaining a relationship-marketing program.

http://www.affinitysolutions.com

Source: GLOBE NEWSWIRE

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