SunTrust Web Site Helps Business Owners Get Through the Day

PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- SunTrust Banks, Inc. (NYSE: STI) today announced the launch of Business Solutions Central (www.bizsolutionscentral.com), an informational and educational resource designed to complement SunTrust's offerings and long-standing commitment to businesses. The site gives owners of small and medium sized businesses solid advice, education and solutions to achieve success on their own terms, and when it's most convenient for them.

"SunTrust understands that while business owners are often forced to juggle many roles within their daily responsibilities, their core focus is to make their businesses profitable and achieve success," said Gay Abbott, executive vice president, head of SunTrust's Commercial line of business. "Business Solutions Central was developed with businesses in mind. The site provides resources and solutions to help owners better manage time and cash flow while optimizing business efficiencies."

Abbott also said that clients and business owners are wanting to bank with a strong financial institution where their money is safe and one that provides support for everyday business challenges. By speaking with thousands of business owners, SunTrust learned that on any given day, business owners and those managing the finances of those businesses are faced with one or more of the following challenges: leveraging time; stretching money; protecting their businesses; maximizing profits; and managing growth. SunTrust has methodically extended its business solutions offerings to address this by not only providing products and services, but also providing ongoing education and actionable steps to help business owners be successful and profitable.

Business Solutions Central is an educational resource for all businesses providing tips, tools, best practices reports, case studies and expert advice. The site differs from other Web-based business resources by:

-- Offering original research and advice through SunTrust's best practice reports and faculty members. Faculty members are a combination of SunTrust advisors and independent, third parties with proven business expertise across a variety of subject matters;

-- Providing information in a variety of easily-accessible formats, including a monthly podcast series featuring business owners who have learned how to deal with the every day challenge of owning a business; The second "A Day in the Life of ... " podcast is available today on the Web site;

-- Addressing the challenges often faced in operating a business and providing practical suggestions to overcome these challenges in the Business Owner's Playbook; and

-- Allowing business owners to learn more about SunTrust sponsored education events, workshops and seminars, such as the Business over Breakfast series, which offer opportunities for SunTrust and business owners to share business challenges, best practices and business successes.

In addition to launching Business Solutions Central, SunTrust has also recently begun a tour of the greater Atlanta area with it its mobile educational vehicle, Business on the Go. Business on the Go is touring Atlanta, and soon will be touring Charlotte to provide business owners with a unique, hands-on opportunity to learn more about the ways they can address their operational efficiency challenges.

SunTrust also offers services specifically targeted to addressing business needs. The following are some of the tools that allow business owners to focus on building and growing their business rather than the day-to-day financial and operational concerns such as running to the bank for deposits, dealing with fraudulent activity and payroll:

-- Online Cash Manager with Fraud Inspector(SM) offers businesses online banking solutions designed to meet their needs - from basic banking to advanced cash management. With Fraud Inspector business owners can review the previous business day's transactions that have cleared their SunTrust deposit accounts and direct the return of suspected fraudulent items. SunTrust is the first of the top 10 banks to offer an innovative anti-fraud feature to small business owners. Online Cash Manager with Fraud Inspector earned the 2008 Barlow Monarch Innovation Award for most innovative feature.

-- Online Check Deposit helps businesses save time and money and better manage cash flow using a certified scanner to capture check images and submit deposits electronically to SunTrust from their office with same-day credits as late as 8:30 p.m. ET. This solution allows businesses to make deposits later in the day and reduce trips to the bank for routine transactions such as depositing checks.

-- Online Payroll provides clients the ability to manage payroll information easily and pay employees by check or direct deposit in three easy clicks. SunTrust Online Payroll also calculates, files and pays all federal, state and local payroll taxes-guaranteed.

Visit www.bizsolutionscentral.com to learn how SunTrust can help businesses build a solid foundation for success.

SunTrust Banks, Inc., headquartered in Atlanta, is one of the nation's largest banking organizations, serving a broad range of consumer, commercial, corporate and institutional clients. As of September 30, 2008, SunTrust had total assets of $174.8 billion and total deposits of $115.9 billion. The Company operates an extensive branch and ATM network throughout the high- growth Southeast and Mid-Atlantic states and a full array of technology-based, 24-hour delivery channels. The Company also serves customers in selected markets nationally. Its primary businesses include deposit, credit, trust and investment services. Through various subsidiaries the Company provides mortgage banking, insurance, brokerage, equipment leasing and capital markets services. SunTrust's Internet address is suntrust.com .

-----
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page