Continuing to be the platform of choice for global banks, SAP AG (NYSE: SAP) today announced that ATB Financial, the largest financial institution based in Alberta, Canada, will replace its core banking and back-office systems with SAP for Banking solutions.

Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson continued the recent PR blitz begun by Wall Street CEO's, claiming that as far as the credit crisis is concerned, "we're closer to the end than we are to the beginning."

KeyBank, a wholly owned subsidiary of KeyCorp (NYSE: KEY), today announced the launch of Key Business Online, an online banking tool created to meet the specific needs of small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs). The new business internet solution was developed in response to today's challenging business climate, where cash optimization is increasingly a critical area of focus for SMEs.

First Bank of Delaware (OTC Bulletin Board: FBOD), today reported first quarter 2008 earnings of $2,274,000 or $0.20 per diluted share, compared to $1,176,000 or $0.10 per diluted share for the comparable prior year period. Total shareholders' equity stood at $36,533,000 with a book value per share of $3.21 at March 31, 2008.

Bank of Montreal (TSX, NYSE: BMO) announced that it intends to issue subordinated indebtedness under its Canadian Medium Term Note Program. The issue, the Series F Medium Term Notes, First Tranche, is a $900 million public offering due 2023. Interest on this issue is payable semi-annually at a fixed rate of 6.17% until March 28, 2018 and at a floating rate equal to the rate on 3 month Bankers' Acceptances plus 2.50% (paid quarterly) thereafter to maturity.

Colonial Bankshares, Inc. (Nasdaq: COBK) the mid-tier stock holding company for Colonial Bank, FSB announced today that on Thursday, March 20, 2008, the Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to 100,454 shares, or 5% of the outstanding common stock held by persons other than Colonial Bankshares, MHC.

Full-Service Banking (FSB) Solutions, a leading provider in branch automation and lending origination products and services and a division of S1 Corporation (Nasdaq: SONE), today announced that Sterling Savings Bank -- a subsidiary of Sterling Financial Corp. and a leading commercial bank in the Western U.S. -- is implementing fully integrated front counter Teller Deposit Automation.

Bank shares are leading the Australian market lower after bad news in the US financial sector on Friday renewed fears of a further credit crunch.

North State Bank (OTC Bulletin Board: NSBC) president and CEO Larry Barbour announced that the bank's balances for community associations have exceeded $100 million.

The Board of Directors of Empire National Bank, Long Island's newest full service commercial bank, today announces that it has completed its initial public offering of common stock and has raised a total of $37 million, making it the largest de novo bank capital raise in Long Island's history. The proceeds of the offering are being used to capitalize the bank, which commenced banking operations today.

A seed bank has been officially opened on the Norwegian island of Spitsbergen. The Svalbard Global Seed Vault, an initiative of the Norwegian government and the Global Crop Diversity Trust, has been built in an artificial cave carved out of the polar ice.

Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) said today it has added three company veterans to its Global Correspondent Banking group to strengthen its focus on serving customers in the Americas: