Banner Corporation Banks on Halogen for Talent and Learning Management

Leading Northwest U.S. Financial Services Organization Moves to Web-based System to Drive Strategic Goals and Outstanding Customer Service

OTTAWA, ONTARIO–(EMWNews – Aug. 13, 2008) – Northwest U.S. based Banner Corporation has selected Halogen Software for a Web-based talent management system to streamline the employee performance appraisal process and tightly integrate learning into its talent management process. Banner Corporation, which operates commercial banks in Washington, Oregon and Idaho, is focused on creating a tightly integrated talent management program, to ensure its 1,200 employees are executing on the bank’s strategic vision and delivering outstanding customer service. Halogen was selected following a review of more than 20 talent and learning management vendors.

“Our number one priority was to improve our learning management processes, and we quickly realized that for this to work, it was critical that we establish a tight link between employee performance, talent management and learning functions,” explained Mimi Ellis, SVP Talent Management, Banner Corporation. “We really did our homework and selected Halogen based on the fact that it would meet all of our current and future talent management needs.”

The new Web-based system will enable Banner Corporation to automate the employee appraisal process driving consistency across the organization. Learning functions, such as compliance training, will be tied into the appraisal process, and information from appraisals will be used for succession planning purposes, thereby creating a complete talent management strategy across all its locations in the Northwest. Banner Corporation is starting with a deployment of Halogen eAppraisal Financial Services and Multi-Rater for employee performance management and plans to build on the implementation with fully integrated Halogen eSuccession and eLMS modules.

“The Halogen system is straightforward and easy to use, and everyone we’ve worked with at the company has been wonderful,” added Ellis. “We are looking forward to continuing to work with Halogen and reaping the benefits of our new approach to talent management.”

Banner Corporation joins financial services institutions across North America relying on Halogen, including AGF, International Finance Corporation, People’s Bank and United Bank and Trust.

About Halogen Software

A recognized industry leader with over 1000 customers worldwide, Halogen Software makes powerful, simple-to-use and affordable employee performance and talent management applications. The company offers a complete suite of web-based products that automate, simplify and integrate employee performance appraisals, 360 degree feedback, compensation management (pay for performance), succession planning and learning management. Halogen’s offering makes HR best-practices accessible to companies of all sizes and its healthcare, financial services and professional services specific suites meet the unique needs of these industries. Halogen is consistently recognized by the industry and its customers for its exceptional implementation and support services, and has won multiple awards for its corporate leadership and product innovation, including HR Technology Product of the Year. For more information, visit www.halogensoftware.com.

About Banner Corporation

Banner Corporation is the parent company of Banner Bank, a commercial bank that operates a total of 86 branch offices and 12 loan offices in 29 counties in Washington, Oregon and Idaho. It is also the parent of Islanders Bank which operates three branch offices in Washington’s San Juan Islands. Banner serves the Pacific Northwest region with a full range of deposit services and business, commercial real estate, construction, residential, agricultural and consumer loans. Visit Banner Bank on the Web at www.bannerbank.com.