Media Alert: Gartner to Host Financial Services International Standards Harmonization Meeting

What: A Gartner moderated meeting with a very select group of banks, technology vendors and representatives from the standards organizations that will mark two important global events for the financial services industry.

• The joining together of the world’s leading banks to form the International Standards Team (ISTH) Harmonization Group in the effort to drive a single Core Payment XML “Kernel” that can be used globally by any corporation regardless of size and sector and by any servicing bank in any location

• The signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between IFX, OAGi, SWIFT, and TWIST to cooperate and coordinate message standards content and use of a core payment kernel XML transaction 

When: Friday, 7 November 2003 at Gartner corporate headquarters in Stamford, CT 10:00 am to 12:00 pm EST.

Registration: Press can register by contacting Amy Caligiuri at 203-316-3843 or by e-mail at amy.caligiuri@gartner.com to request a registration form.

About Gartner

Gartner, Inc. (NYSE: IT and ITB) is a research and advisory firm that helps more than 10,000 clients leverage technology to achieve business success. Gartner's businesses are Research, Consulting, Measurement, Events and Executive Programs. Founded in 1979, Gartner is headquartered in Stamford, Conn., and has more than 3,800 associates, including approximately 1,000 research analysts and consultants, in more than 75 locations worldwide. Revenue for calendar year 2002 totaled $888 million. For more information, visit www.gartner.com.

Contact: Sheri Marks, Gartner, 303-442-3354 x192, sheri.marks@gartner.com

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