Bank of the Cascades Looks to Cypress Software’s Mark IV System
to Automate and Grow Consumer Lending

Bank also bundles Mark IV with several additional modules
for document preparation, core system interface and new account setup
 

NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, Texas – March 3, 2009 – Bank of the Cascades, the principal subsidiary of Cascade Bancorp (NASDAQ: CACB), has chosen Cypress Software Systems LP’s Mark IV loan software to automate and grow the bank’s consumer loan operations.

Bank of the Cascades, based in Bend, Oregon, is a community bank offering a full range of financial services to its business and consumer clients, including trusts and investments.  The organization employs about 550 people, operates 32 branches in Idaho and Oregon and has about $2.5 billion in assets. While commercial lending comprises the bulk of the portfolio, the Bank wanted to enhance its ability to grow and centralize the consumer lending function.

Ahjamu Umi, vice president of consumer lending for Bank of the Cascades, said he expects all branches to be up and running by April; concurrently, the bank is completing development of its lending policies and procedures that will be executed by Mark IV. Umi also said the rollout will enable Bank of the Cascades to expand the lending process from the traditional loan officers to its front-end employees, referred to as “relationship bankers.”

“The Mark IV software and its associated modules will enable us to provide a more sophisticated loan delivery experience,” said Umi. “It’s all about implementing our business strategy by combining outstanding service, competitive financial products, local expertise and advanced technology applied for the convenience of customers.”

In addition to Mark IV, the integrated solution includes the Harland LaserPro document preparation interface for downstream data flow; the Jack Henry-Silverlake interface to the bank’s core system; and Cypress’ new account setup module, which captures all the loan setup information within Mark IV.

Cypress’ Mark IV is a software platform that automates the consumer loan application and decisioning process, and helps institutions with risk management issues. With Mark IV, service associates electronically input application information while interviewing customers. The software then quickly retrieves credit reports, efficiently analyzes the capacity for repayment, and deploys the institution’s loan policies. The result is a fast, quality loan decision.

“Bank of the Cascades has been rated among the top performing banks in the nation for many years and we’re pleased to partner with them to help execute their business strategy,” said Stephen G. Sargent, president and chief executive officer of Cypress Software Systems. “Our Mark IV solution will help them grow their consumer loans and gain new efficiencies with their entire lending process.”

About Cascade Bancorp and Bank of the Cascades
Cascade Bancorp (NASDAQ: CACB), headquartered in Bend, Oregon and its wholly owned subsidiary, Bank of the Cascades, operates in Oregon and Idaho markets. Bank of the Cascades delivers personalized relationship banking, competitive financial products and advanced technology applied for the convenience of customers. Founded in 1977, Bank of the Cascades offers full-service community banking through 32 branches in Central Oregon, Southern Oregon, Portland/Salem and Boise/Treasure Valley. For further information, please visit our Web site at www.botc.com.

About Cypress Software Systems
Headquartered in North Richland Hills, Texas, USA, Cypress Software Systems LP is a leading developer of automated credit application decision support technology. Cypress provides community and regional banks, finance companies and credit unions with loan application decision and tracking tools equivalent to those used by the largest national lending institutions. Clients, nationwide and in 16 countries, use the company’s flagship products, Mark IV and BizMark, to quickly and consistently process consumer and small commercial loan applications. Cypress Mark IV offers a flexible, risk-based processing approach that includes tracking consumer loan applications from point of entry to point of decision. Cypress’ BizMark loan automation software processes commercial loan requests within a customer relationship management environment. Both products may be licensed in the bundled Cypress Suite and are offered in either an application service provider (ASP) or traditional business model. The company’s product line also includes AppMark, an ASP-only consumer lending solution for community banks with assets of $250 million or less. Web Site: www.go-cypress.com.

Media Contacts
Jeff Green
Michael A. Burns & Associates Inc.
(214) 521-8596
greenj@mbapr.com

Neil McGlone
Michael A. Burns & Associates Inc.
(214) 521-8596
nmcglone@mbapr.com