MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 28, 2007--U.S. Bank and
CheckFree have collaborated to encourage consumers to save time,
reduce stress and make children smile this holiday season by paying
bills online. For every five bills that a customer pays via U.S. Bank
Internet Banking now through Dec. 31, 2007, U.S. Bank and CheckFree
will donate $10 to Toys for Tots.
The goal is to raise $50,000 for Toys for Tots, an organization
created and run by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves. Their mission is to
collect and distribute new, unwrapped toys as gifts to needy children
in the community. Toys for Tots organized collections in more than 600
communities across the United States last year, bringing joy to the
faces of nearly 7.5 million children.
"The holiday season can sometimes add stress to our already busy
lives, which is why we encourage our customers to use Internet bill
pay now more than ever. This year, we are adding an even more
compelling reason to pay bills online, which is the opportunity to
make this a holiday to remember for many kids who have had it tough
this year, and to do it with just a few clicks of a mouse," said Rick
Hartnack, vice chairman of consumer banking at U.S. Bank, and a
veteran of the U.S. Marines. "We commend our partners at CheckFree,
and especially our friends in the Marine Corps who make Toys for Tots
an outstanding charity."
"Every year during this special time the Marine Toys for Tots
Foundation counts on special miracles to occur. This year we are so
pleased that U.S. Bank and CheckFree have teamed up to help raise
enough money to fulfill the Christmas holiday dreams of over 5,000
needy children," said retired Marine Major Bill Grein, the vice
president of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. "Every person who
pays five bills online will enable us to provide a gift for one child
who otherwise might be overlooked this year. It's never fun paying
bills, but U.S. Bank and CheckFree can sure make it feel a lot
better."
"The holidays are a special time in the life of any child, and
CheckFree hopes a donation to Toys for Tots will encourage many U.S.
Bank customers to pay at least five bills online this holiday season,"
said Alex Hart, executive vice president and general manager,
CheckFree Electronic Banking Services. "This is the perfect time for
U.S. Bank customers to begin managing their bills online - they can
enjoy the security and convenience of electronic payments while
benefiting children in their communities."
Customers can watch the gifts pile up in a special Toys for Tots
gift ticker at the U.S. Bank Internet Bill Pay site. Those who are new
to U.S. Bank Internet Banking will be happy to know that they are
saving time and stamps, and enjoying extra security when they pay
their bills online.
About Toys for Tots
Toys for Tots, a 60-year charitable program run by the U.S. Marine
Corps Reserve, provides happiness and hope to disadvantaged children
during each Christmas holiday season. The toys, books and other gifts
collected and distributed by the Marines offer these children
recognition, confidence and a positive memory for a lifetime. It is
such experiences that help children become responsible citizens and
caring members of their community. Visit them online at
www.toysfortots.org.
About CheckFree
Founded in 1981, CheckFree Corporation (NASDAQ:CKFR) provides
financial electronic commerce services and products to organizations
around the world. CheckFree Electronic Commerce solutions enable
financial services providers to offer the convenience of online
banking, and, along with billers, to offer the convenience of
receiving and paying bills online, via phone or in person through
retail outlets. CheckFree Investment Services provides a broad range
of investment management solutions and outsourced services to hundreds
of financial services organizations, which manage about $1.8 trillion
in assets. CheckFree Software develops, markets and supports software
applications that are used by financial institutions to process more
than 75 percent of the nearly 16 billion Automated Clearing House
transactions in the United States. The division also provides
financial institutions and other organizations with payment processing
and consulting, reconciliation and exception management, fraud and
risk management, cash and logistics management, and compliance
software and services. For more information visit
www.checkfreecorp.com.
About U.S. Bancorp
U.S. Bancorp (NYSE:USB), with $228 billion in assets, is the
parent company of U.S. Bank, the 6th largest commercial bank in the
United States. The company operates 2,512 banking offices and 4,870
ATMs, and provides a comprehensive line of banking, brokerage,
insurance, investment, mortgage, trust and payment services products
to consumers, businesses and institutions. Visit U.S. Bancorp on the
web at www.usbank.com.
CONTACT: U.S. Bank
Media Relations
Teri Charest, 612-303-0732
teri.charest@usbank.com
SOURCE: U.S. Bank
