AT&T Wins $2.5 Million Networking Contract From The Ziegler Companies Inc.

June 22, 2005; 06:14 AM

June 22, 2005  -  Milwaukee – AT&T today announced it has won a two-year, $2.5 million networking contract from The Ziegler Companies Inc., a diversified financial services holding company. Ziegler, headquartered in Milwaukee, provides investment banking, financial and investment advice, asset management and other related financial services to institutional, business and individual clients.

With this agreement, Ziegler renews and expands a long-term relationship with AT&T for a full range of data and voice networking services integrating more than 20 locations across the United States. AT&T’s networking solution links Ziegler’s headquarters with its other corporate and branch offices and affiliated company locations and gives its associates reliable and secure access to company information, applications and databases. The network also enables Ziegler to add new locations quickly and easily to accommodate growth.

“In the financial services business, we need reliable, fast access to time-sensitive information. Our customers and business depend on it,” said Darrell P. Frank, senior managing director for The Ziegler Companies Inc. 

“We’ve entrusted our network to AT&T because of its proven track record for network reliability and superior service and support.”
Through the secure AT&T BusinessDirect® portal, Ziegler will gain around-the-clock access to real-time information about the performance of its network and a direct connection to electronic billing and ordering systems. AT&T BusinessDirect was recently recognized by the Yankee Group for providing customers with the strongest online support and service experience in the industry.

About Ziegler
The Ziegler Companies Inc. - (symbol: ZCOI), headquartered in Milwaukee, Wis., is a growth-oriented boutique investment banking and investment services firm with a primary focus in the health care, senior living and church and school sectors. Operations encompass capital markets (capital advisory services, bond underwriting, institutional sales and trading) and investment services, including asset management and wealth management through retail brokerage offices.

Nationally, Ziegler’s Capital Markets Group is ranked as one of the leading investment banking firms for not-for-profit healthcare and senior living facilities, as well as religious institutions and schools.

Ziegler Investment Services Group operates a network of investment consultants throughout Wisconsin and the nation. It also sponsors the North Track family of mutual funds and provides separate account management for individuals, corporations, foundations and endowments. Total assets under management are approximately $2.6 billion.

About AT&T
For more than 125 years, AT&T (NYSE “T”) has been known for unparalleled quality and reliability in communications.  Backed by the research and development capabilities of AT&T Labs, the company is a global leader in local, long distance, Internet and transaction-based voice and data services.