UMBF UMB Financial Corporation

UMB Healthcare Services, a division of UMB Financial Corporation (NASDAQ: UMBF), announced a company milestone by exceeding $100 million in Health Savings Account (HSA) assets. This represents a 52 percent increase over the last 12 months, making UMB one of the top custodians in the country. UMB�s health-related payment cards for Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs), Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRAs), as well as HSAs, surpassed 750,000 at the end of 2007. The company attributes its growth to high-touch, individualized client services as well as a team of seasoned, industry experts. �Our client service model is unique to the industry and our clients value our approach,� president of UMB Healthcare Services Dennis Triplett said. �We also have some of the most knowledgeable and experienced professionals in the field. This combination is proving to be a sustainable competitive advantage for us.� Another factor aiding the Healthcare division is the increased education and acceptance nationwide regarding HSA accounts. Just a few years ago, high-deductible plans were selected mostly by individuals and were rarely offered by employer-sponsored plans. However, as lower deductible plans have become more costly, high-deductible health plans have gained momentum, being adopted by a wide array of companies. Triplett said employers and employees are discovering the financial benefits of high-deductible health plans in conjunction with HSAs, and view this combination as an invaluable employee benefit option. �We have strategically positioned ourselves to provide both payment card and custodial services,� Triplett said. �Those capabilities permit us to serve the broader spectrum of spending accounts including FSAs, HRAs and HSAs.� About UMB: UMB Financial Corporation (NASDAQ: UMBF) is a multi-bank holding company headquartered in Kansas City, Mo., offering complete banking, asset management, health spending solutions and related financial services to both individual and business customers nationwide. Its banking subsidiaries own and operate 136 banking centers throughout Missouri, Illinois, Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, Nebraska and Arizona. Subsidiaries of the holding company and the lead bank, UMB Bank, n.a., include an investment services group based in Milwaukee, Wis., single-purpose companies that deal with brokerage services and insurance, and registered investment advisors for proprietary mutual funds.