AFP and Wachovia Seek Entries to the 2004 Pinnacle Award Program

$10,000 Charitable Donation to be Awarded to Grand Prize Winner -- Submission Deadline is May 28

BETHESDA, MD – March 25, 2004 – The Association for Financial Professionals (AFP) seeks entries for the 2004 AFP Pinnacle Award Program. Sponsored by Wachovia Corporation, this program recognizes outstanding achievements or innovations in treasury and finance. Past recipients have included Harley-Davidson Financial Services, Inc., Manheim Auctions, Inc. and Conseco, Inc.

The submission deadline is May 28, 2004, and there is no fee to participate. Treasury and finance departments of companies, organizations or government entities – regardless of size, industry or location – may download an entry application online, or request a form from AFP at 301.907.2862. The entry categories are: 1) Innovation; 2) Technology and 3) Treasury as a Strategic Partner.

The Recognition Process

A nine-member evaluation committee, consisting of a cross-selection of financial industry experts, will judge all entries. Submissions will be screened to mask any material necessary to ensure a blind and impartial evaluation by the judges.

Trophies will be presented to winners in each of the three categories at The AFP 25th Annual Conference in San Diego, November 7-10, 2004. AFP will provide complimentary conference registration, transportation and lodging to the three winners, and select from those a grand prize winner to receive a $10,000 donation in its name to a charity of its choice.

With AFP’s assistance, winners may develop their entries into articles for the association’s magazine, AFP Exchange, and present their winning solution as a concurrent session at AFP’s San Diego conference.

The Association for Financial Professionals in Bethesda, Maryland, supports more than 14,000 individual members from a wide range of industries throughout all stages of their careers in various aspects of treasury and financial management. AFP is the preferred resource for financial professionals for continuing education, financial tools and publications, career development, certifications, research, representation to legislators and regulators, and the development of industry standards.

Wachovia Corporation, the nation’s fourth largest bank holding company, is a leading provider of financial services to retail, brokerage and corporate customers throughout the East Coast and the nation, and a global services provider through more than 32 international offices. Wachovia is also the nation’s second-largest treasury management service provider for both domestic and international treasury management and consulting services. Cash flow solutions include e-commerce, integrated payables and receivables, information reporting via Web or PC, and risk management. Online banking and other products and services are available through wachovia.com.

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