SACRAMENTO, CA — March 25, 2010 — The California Bankers Association (CBA), one of the largest state banking trade associations, and Staples, Inc., the nation’s leading supplier of office supplies and one source supplier of business solutions, today announced a new strategic endorsement partnership.

CBA’s Strategic Partners program recognizes the vendor with the highest quality products and services in a service category. To earn the endorsement, companies must meet stringent quality standards, fulfill industry needs, and satisfy certain other key criteria, such as the ability to meet the long-term needs of financial institutions, customer service, financial soundness, and management strength.

“The CBA is very excited about our newest, widely recognized strategic partner,” said Rodney Brown, president and CEO of the CBA. “By coalescing the purchasing power of California’s banking industry, our members will have access to Staples’ top brand name products at deeply discounted prices, in addition to Staples brand products which are high quality, great value and fully guaranteed.”

“The Staples Advantage program has proven to be of great benefit to our organization,” reported Guy Pronto, Senior Vice President with Manufacturers Bank in Los Angeles. “Prior to beginning our relationship with Staples, supply costs were growing each year. With regular reviews of ordering patterns and product pricing by our account representative, we have significantly reduced our supply expenses each year we have been with Staples, without sacrificing quality or service.”

CBA members will have access to several services available through the strategic partnership:
• Competitive prices on the most popular office products
• Customized shopping lists for CBA members and a CBA best price list
• Free delivery and easy ordering via a StaplesLink Web Site customized for CBA members
• Hassle-free returns
• Access to Staples’ world-class customer service team, awarded the J.D. Power and Associates Certification in Customer Service Excellence
 
About the California Bankers Association (CBA)
Established more than 119 years ago, the California Bankers Association (CBA) is one of the largest state banking trade associations in the country. CBA leads the way in developing relevant educational and legislative solutions to some of California’s more pressing financial and banking issues, including adult financial empowerment, identity theft, financial privacy, and financial elder abuse. CBA’s membership includes nearly 200 of California’s commercial, industrial and community banks and savings associations. For more information, visit www.calbankers.com.

About Staples Advantage
Staples Advantage, the business-to-business division of Staples, Inc. (Nasdaq: SPLS), serves mid-sized to Fortune 1000 companies, state and federal government agencies, and universities. Staples Advantage works collaboratively with its customers to enable procurement professionals to efficiently manage office products and services programs with a low cost-to-serve model. Staples Advantage has been certified by J.D. Power and Associates for delivering “An Outstanding Customer Service Experience” for six consecutive years. More information is available at www.staplesadvantage.com.

About Staples
Staples, the world’s largest office products company, is committed to making it easy for customers to buy a wide range of office products, including supplies, technology, furniture, and business services. With 2009 sales of $24.3 billion and 91,000 associates worldwide, Staples serves businesses of all sizes and consumers in 27 countries throughout North and South America, Europe, Asia and Australia. In July 2008, Staples acquired Corporate Express, one of the world’s leading suppliers of office products to businesses and institutions. Staples invented the office superstore concept in 1986 and is headquartered outside Boston. More information about Staples (Nasdaq: SPLS) is available at www.staples.com.