Stephen Baird Joins Novantas, Consulting Expert will Focus on Commercial and Wholesale Banking

June 1, 2007

NEW YORK – Novantas LLC, the leading provider of management consultancy and information services to the financial services industries, today announced the addition of Stephen Baird, formerly a Principal at Treasury Strategies Inc.

Baird has been named a Director at Novantas and will join the Firm's Commercial Banking practice. He will be based in the company's Chicago office.

Most recently, Baird was a leader in the global treasury and market intelligence practice areas at Treasury Strategies. Earlier, he was Vice President and Treasurer at American Commercial Lines, a former unit of CSX Corp., and he held key senior treasury and corporate finance posts at the CSX holding company. Baird also served as a financial advisor and consultant with Stern Stewart & Co. and Price Waterhouse.

"Stephen brings a rare blend of talent and career experience in financial management, with a history of achievement both as a corporate executive and a consulting leader," said Dave Kaytes, a Managing Director at Novantas. "His insights will be invaluable to our clients in commercial and wholesale banking."

Baird earned an MBA in Finance from Columbia University and is a Certified Treasury Professional. He holds a BA in Government from Georgetown University.

Novantas is the acknowledged leader in customer science and revenue strategy in the financial services industry. The Firm specializes in investigating and interpreting customer needs, attitudes and behaviors in ways that help companies to refine marketing decisions, customer strategies, and sales and service activities.