Check Printing Plant to Bring More Than $16.5 Million in Revenue to Region SAN ANTONIO--Nov. 6, 2002--Clarke American, a leading provider of checks and check-related services, contact center services and direct response marketing solutions, announced the opening of its newest security check printing plant in Ankeny, Iowa, which is located a few miles from Des Moines. The plant will print personal checks and augment the existing check printing plants by bringing Clarke American's check printing network to 14 facilities. Joe Mengele, Vice President, Check Manufacturing at Clarke American states, "The new Des Moines facility reflects our ongoing commitment for providing the best products and services in the industry to our existing partnerships in the Midwest. It also positions us well to grow and better serve our newest partners in this region of the country. We are excited about each of our partnerships here and are delighted to be a part of this community." Last year, Clarke American produced more than 10 billion personal and business checks featuring Enhanced Security Level(SM), which helps deter counterfeiting. Security Weave, an intricate background texture, is also screened behind each check design to prevent check duplication, and a padlock icon indicator signifies that the checks are in compliance with Check Payment Systems Association Guidelines for security. Clarke American produces checks and check-related accessories and offers contact center servicing for more than 4,000 banks, credit unions and other financial institutions nationwide. According to Marlena Bandurski from the Greater Des Moines Partnership and the Institute for Decision Making (IDM) at the University of Northern Iowa, the total economic impact from Clarke American's check printing plant is projected to be more than $16.5 million and will create approximately 182 new jobs.