WCBO West Coast Bancorp (MM)

Payroll Cards Join iDeposit(TM), Rewards Debit Cards and Gift Cards in the Company's Innovative 2006 Product Offerings LAKE OSWEGO, Ore., Nov. 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- (NASDAQ:WCBO) As a service to commercial clients, West Coast Bank is now offering a Visa-branded Payroll Card Program to facilitate electronic payroll processing for employees that may not have a bank account. The Program utilizes existing direct-deposit processes and employees do not have to meet the criteria for those opening a traditional bank account. President and CEO Robert D. Sznewajs said, "We are very pleased to announce the successful implementation of the payroll card to our commercial customers. This new product along with the introduction earlier this year of our remote capture product, iDeposit(TM), the Sign for Rewards(TM) debit card and the brand name gift cards offered in our branches gives West Coast Bank a complete offering of highly valued payment solution products to meet the needs of consumers and business customers." For enrolled employees, West Coast Bank Payroll Card benefits include increased security and expanded purchasing power. With direct-deposit, check cashing fees are eliminated and funds are available immediately on payday. With a Visa-branded card, employees have access to Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) and point-of-sale machines worldwide. There is no fee to the employee for carrying a West Coast Bank Payroll Card. The reloadable payroll cards also allow electronic distribution of payroll, reimbursements, bonuses, and ad-hoc payments for employees in remote locations. Employers typically also enjoy higher employee productivity when paychecks do not have to be cashed on payday. Oregon Berry Packing, Inc. and Oregon Harvesting, Inc. switched their 485- employee payrolls to West Coast Bank's Payroll cards with great success. Co- owner Barb Malensky said, "I'm amazed at the benefits of the payroll card. The elimination of negotiable paper checks alone has been a huge cost savings to the companies. The time savings of reconciling each company's checking account has been at least 10 hours per week...we basically have an extra day to process payroll. And the employees are tremendously happy with their ability to use the ATM to receive their wages at any hour of the day and not have to stand in line at the bank." Ryan Smith from Four Mile Nursery in Canby, Oregon, also pays his employees with the West Coast Bank Payroll card. "Everyone at the nursery is pleased with the convenience of the payroll cards. Employees can withdraw from the ATM whatever amount they need and can use the card for dinner or shopping without having to carry cash." West Coast Bancorp, one of Oregon Business Magazine's 100 Best Companies to Work For, is a Northwest bank holding company with $2.4 billion in assets, operating 59 offices in Oregon and Washington. The company combines the sophisticated products and expertise of larger banks with the local decision making, market knowledge and customer service of a community bank. For more information, visit the Company web site at http://www.wcb.com/ . DATASOURCE: West Coast Bancorp CONTACT: Robert D. Sznewajs, President & CEO of West Coast Bancorp, +1-503-598-3243 Web site: http://www.wcb.com/

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