How Can You Increase Your Effectiveness in Small Business Risk Analysis, Credit Decision-Making, and Relationship Management?

Charlotte, N.C., April 30, 2002 - Omega Performance Corporation, the global leader in performance improvement solutions for financial services organizations, announced today the availability of its enhanced performance improvement solution for small business lenders, Commercial Loans to Small Business (CLSB). Widely recognized as the industry's leading training solution for developing small business lending skills, CLSB is designed specifically to improve lender performance, increase decision-making efficiency, and create a more profitable, lower-risk loan portfolio.

With this new version, Omega Performance builds on CLSB's proven core principles to offer enhanced usability and more streamlined and user-friendly content that reflects the latest business trends and risk drivers affecting small business borrowers, including technology, globalization, operations and management. New features include updated participant and leader materials; content that reflects today's trends and issues; online diagnostic assessment, resources and automated tools; flexible delivery options; and pre-testing and post-testing modules.

In addition, CLSB continues to offer the industry tools for interpreting and analyzing incomplete financial information, understanding how small businesses differ from larger organizations, and recognizing the impact of the small business owners' personal finances and management skills. These lender skills result in smarter and faster loan decisions, and
fewer loan losses.

In addition, CLSB can help lenders recognize when small business borrowers may require other financial solutions. As a result, an institution can strengthen its customer relationship management efforts by identifying new, potential revenue opportunities – an innovative approach to addressing the total customer relationship.

"CLSB continues to be the industry standard for developing small business lenders' analytical skills and judgment," said Vicki Martell, vice president for Omega Performance. "We have applied our clients' input to make the best training program in the business even better by adding contemporary risk issues and more flexible delivery options. It's fresh, current and easy to use," added Martell.

CLSB is ideally suited for entry-level and mid-career small business lenders and credit analysts; credit administration staff; loan review staff; management trainees, officers in regional loan administration; and anyone that supports the small business lending function.

About Omega Performance
Omega Performance has enabled more than 2,500 firms worldwide to drive and sustain improved business results. The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Informa plc (INF on the London Stock Exchange), the leading international provider of specialist information and services for the academic and scientific, professional, and commercial business communities. Informa has over 150 offices in more than 40 countries and employs over 7,000 staff around the world. Omega Performance is headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., USA, with major offices in Australia, Canada, China, Greece, Nigeria, Singapore, South Africa, and the United Kingdom.