MELVILLE, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Verint Systems Inc., a leading provider of analytic software-based solutions for workforce-enterprise optimization and security, today announced that Banco Popular North America reports new-found efficiencies and measurable results after implementing the company's workforce management software for retail financial services.

Recognized as being among the largest Hispanic-owned banks in the United States, Banco Popular operates 146 branches across six states and was named one of FORTUNE magazine's "100 Best Companies to Work for in 2005." The financial institution has built its strong reputation by investing in and focusing on its people, processes and technology; ensuring proper alignment of resources and skills across its branch locations; and enhancing the customer experience - which in turn has yielded productivity gains and maximized sales opportunities.

Five years ago, the organization had roughly 96 branches, and each operated with separate marketing, human resource and IT infrastructures and systems. Causing levels of inconsistency across the individual branch locations, Banco Popular decided to centralize operations and finance. Starting in its back office and bank branches, the financial institution converted all of its systems to a single platform.

The focus then shifted to establishing a service vision and standards to create a stronger relationship between the bank, its staff and its customers, while keeping within expense management guidelines. Goals included creating a customized and credible branch staffing model for its teller, sales and service bankers; incorporating the uniqueness of the Banco Popular network through a review and analysis of branch activities; introducing process improvements and models to better quantify opportunities; and instilling business processes to improve efficiency and sales effectiveness.

As part of this new foundation, Banco Popular deployed the workforce management software from Verint Witness Actionable Solutions' enterprise group focused on retail financial services and back-office performance optimization.

"The solution takes the noise away and enables branch management teams to focus less on debating staffing models and concentrate more on implementing them," said Chan Peterson, executive vice president and head of community banking for Banco Popular. "The software has not only helped Banco Popular place more effort on effective selling and coaching, but has also enabled workforce efficiencies that have resulted in savings of $1.4 million."

The software and services support Banco Popular's core objectives of business process alignment, staffing and scheduling, and ensuring quality customer experiences. Its robust forecasting and scheduling have introduced new efficiencies, enhanced sales effectiveness and contributed to branch confidence in staffing models with a 96 percent adoption rate. The solution also has helped build a credible capacity plan across the bank's extensive branch network, identifying over and under staffing and various means of redeploying and optimizing staff within the branches.

About Banco Popular North America

Banco Popular North America, headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, is one of the leading community banks and small business lenders in the U.S. with 146 branches in the states of California, Florida, Illinois, New Jersey, New York and Texas. Its core businesses include retail and commercial banking services, mortgage and consumer lending, and investment services. Banco Popular ranks among the top five Small Business Administration lenders in the country. Banco Popular North America is a subsidiary of Popular, Inc. (NASDAQ: BPOP - News). For more information about Banco Popular North America, visit the company's Web site at www.bancopopular.com.

About Verint Witness Actionable Solutions

Verint Witness Actionable Solutions was formed as a result of the company's successful combination with workforce optimization provider, Witness Systems. Verint Witness Actionable Solutions enables organizations to capture and analyze customer interactions, improve workforce performance and optimize service processes in contact center, branch and back-office operations. With the industry's broadest portfolio of innovative solutions for customer service analytics, workforce optimization, quality monitoring/full-time recording, workforce management, eLearning, performance management and customer surveys, Witness Actionable Solutions helps companies uncover business trends, discover the root cause of employee and customer behavior, and power the right decisions to ensure service excellence and achieve continuous performance improvement across every aspect of customer operations.

About Verint Systems Inc.

Verint Systems Inc. (VRNT.PK), headquartered in Melville, New York, is a leading provider of analytic software-based solutions for workforce-enterprise optimization and security. Verint software, which is used by over 5,000 organizations in over 100 countries worldwide, generates actionable intelligence(TM) through the collection, retention and analysis of voice, fax, video, email, Internet and data transmissions from multiple communications networks. Visit us at our website www.verint.com.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Source: Verint Witness Actionable Solutions

Copyright © 2007 Business Wire. All rights reserved.