Chicago's second biggest bank and one of Michigan's largest have now
committed to talking ATMs and accessible banking, including documents in
alternate formats, Braille bank statements, raised line checks at a
reasonable price or free bill pay, and a blind friendly website.

Kelly

    Primezone Media Network

Monday, May 02, 2005

    LaSalle Bank Corporation to Offer Improved Services for Persons Who
are Blind or Visually Impaired

    Bank Plans Talking ATMs, Accessible Web Sites and Documents, Other
Services, in Conjunction with Equip for Equality and American Council of
the Blind Chicago Affiliate

    CHICAGO and TROY, Mich., May 2, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- LaSalle Bank
Corporation subsidiaries LaSalle Bank and Standard Federal Bank announced
today that they have launched several major initiatives intended to
provide easier access to their banking services for individuals with
visual impairments. These initiatives include the installation of Talking
ATMs, a more user-friendly format on the banks' Web sites, and greater
accessibility to printed materials. LaSalle Bank Corporation worked with
Equip for Equality and the American Council of the Blind of Metropolitan
Chicago, two Illinois-based non-profit organizations; Kelly Pierce, a
Chicago blind advocate and technology specialist; and Lainey Feingold, a
California lawyer who has assisted members of the blind community
nationally on this issue, on the plan to convert its entire ATM network
over the next three years and to provide other services. LaSalle Bank and
Standard Federal Bank operate a combined network of more than 1,500 ATMs
in the Midwest. Principal Web sites are www.lasallebank.com and
www.standardfederalbank.com

    " The banks successfully piloted Talking ATMs at 25 locations in
2004," said Steve Nowaczyk, senior vice president responsible for LaSalle
Bank Corporation's ATM network. "This feature will bring the convenience
of our extensive ATM network to people with visual impairments as well as
anyone else who has difficulty reading an ATM screen."

    Individuals can access the talking features, including a brief
orientation, by inserting a headset into an audio jack located on the
front of the ATM. All of the Talking ATMs speak in both English and
Spanish. Headsets are available for free at LaSalle Bank or Standard
Federal Bank branches with Talking ATMs. Talking ATM kits with headsets
and instructions on audio cassette and in large print can be ordered at
the branches or through the banks' call centers. Customers can easily find
Talking ATM locations using the "Locations" option on the banks' Web sites
or by calling the bank's toll-free customer service telephone line.

    "We applaud LaSalle Bank Corporation for its proactive approach to
improving banking services for the blind community and others with
difficulty reading standard print," said Amy F. Peterson, senior attorney
at Equip for Equality. "This is an example of how assistive technology can
make a significant difference in the lives of people with disabilities."
Her comments were echoed by Albert Anderson, the president of the American
Council of the Blind of Metropolitan Chicago, an affiliate of the American
Council of the Blind that worked with the bank on this initiative. "The
bank has demonstrated a firm commitment to making its services widely
available," said Mr. Anderson, "and we congratulate it on the far reaching
initiatives announced today."

    In addition to Talking ATMs, LaSalle Bank and Standard Federal Bank
offer a number of services designed to make banking easier for people with
visual impairments. For example, retail deposit account statements are
available in alternate formats, including Braille, large print, and on
audio and computer disc. Raised-line checks are now available for the same
price as standard checks and any mass-produced bank document, such as
checking brochures, can be provided in an alternative format such as
Braille upon request. The banks' Web sites are also being updated
according to Web Content Accessibility Guidelines of the Web Accessibility
Initiative of the World Wide Web consortium ( www.w3.org) to make them
more accessible.

    About Equip for Equality

    Equip for Equality is a private, not-for-profit entity designated in
1985 by the Governor to administer the federally mandated Protection and
Advocacy system for safeguarding the rights of people with physical and
mental disabilities in Illinois. EFE is dedicated to expanding
opportunities for people with disabilities to live full and independent
lives by providing self-advocacy assistance, legal services, disability
rights education, public policy advocacy and abuse investigations.

    About American Council of the Blind, Metropolitan Chicago Affiliate

    The American Council of the Blind of Metropolitan Chicago (ACBMC) is
an affiliate of the American Council of the Blind, advocating on behalf of
blind and visually impaired people of all ages. ACBMC works to improve the
educational, economic, social and cultural opportunities for all people
who are blind and visually impaired in the Chicago area. ACBMC can be
reached at (217) 523-4967. The Website of ACBMC is www.acb.org

    About LaSalle Bank Corporation

    LaSalle Bank Corporation is headquartered in Chicago with $103.4
billion in assets. Its primary subsidiaries are LaSalle Bank and Standard
Federal Bank.

    LaSalle Bank National Association is based in Chicago with $63.7
billion in assets, $37.7 billion in deposits, more than 140 retail
locations and 500 ATMs. LaSalle Bank is the second largest bank in
Chicago. Subsidiaries include LaSalle National Leasing Corporation,
LaSalle Business Credit, LLC and ABN AMRO Financial Services, Inc.

    LaSalle Bank maintains commercial offices in Boca Raton, Cleveland,
Cincinnati, Denver, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, New
England (covering Connecticut, Boston and New Jersey), Pittsburgh, Des
Moines, Rockford, Peoria, St. Louis, Tampa and Miami.

    Standard Federal Bank is headquartered in Troy, MI, with $39.1 billion
in assets and $20.2 billion in deposits. One of the largest banks in the
Midwest, Standard Federal offers a complete range of investment,
commercial and retail banking solutions through 261 branches and more than
1,000 ATMs in Michigan and Indiana. In 2005, Standard Federal will take
the name LaSalle Bank Midwest National Association, creating a unified
LaSalle Bank brand with LaSalle Bank in Chicago. The banks, which are
indirect subsidiaries of Netherlands-based ABN AMRO Bank N.V., will not
merge as a result of this name change.

    CONTACTS: LaSalle Bank Corporation Shawn Platt - Chicago, IL (312)
904-7240 Robert J. Darmanin - Troy, MI (248) 637-2521

    Equip for Equality Amy F. Peterson Senior Attorney (312) 895-7324
Barry C. Taylor Legal Advocacy Director (312) 895-7317 TTY: (800) 610-2779

    http://www.primezone.com/newsroom/?d=77367


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