A.I.A. To Release Research; Invites Investor Response and Inquiry.

DENVER--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 23, 1998--The Association for Investor Assistance, in an effort to create a climate in which investors receive the information needed to make informed decisions, has begun to prepare research on companies within the publicly traded spectrum. The result of that research will be distributed to national media and at the free site located at www.investoraware.org.

The A.I.A. is currently conducting research on hundreds of companies. The components of that research are the "Blind Audit" which includes contact with the corporate Investor Relations department to determine their efficiency, expediency, and overall ability as well as direct feedback from investors at large.

"We're calling for more investors to contact us at the site, not only to access the results of our reports as they have in the past, but to continue supplying first hand accounts of their experiences with publicly traded companies," said Outreach Officer, Jeffery Taylor.

"Our goal is to ensure information is available to all classes of investors and that requires input from all classes of investors," he added. "Where else are investors given this type of forum? Here, they can contribute to an effective process and make a tangible difference. Each response is very much a part of our criteria."

"We're looking for input on the companies listed below," said Taylor. "We have received requests asking for further study and now we need your thoughts to use along with our own findings. If you've had an experience- good, bad, or indifferent, with any of these companies, please pass it on to us."

The A.I.A. is seeking investor information on the following companies: Precision Castparts Corp. (NYSE:PCP), FFY Financial Corp. (Nasdaq:FFYF), Praxair Inc. (NYSE:PX), Fifth Third Bancorp (Nasdaq:FITB), PPG Industries Inc. (NYSE:PPG), Financial Bancorp Inc. (Nascaq:FIBC), PP&L Resources Inc. (NYSE:PPL), Financial Industries Corp. (Nasdaq:FNIN), Powerwave Technologies (Nasdaq:PWAV), Financial Industries Corp. (Nasdaq:FSA), Ames Department Stores (Nasdaq:AMES), Allmerica Financial Corp. (NYSE:AFC), Anchor Gaming (Nasdaq:SLOT), AMF Bowling (NYSE:PIN), Barnes & Noble Inc. (NYSE:BKS), Black and Decker Corp. (NYSE:BDK), Boeing Company (NYSE:BA), Chevron Corporation (NYSE:CHV), and Dunn & Bradstreet (NYSE:DNB).

The Investor Input section is housed 24 hours a day at www.investoraware.org and forwarded to the research division soon after. Previously published reports are archived on the page in addition to other investor services.

The Association for Investor Assistance is a not for profit entity that has no relationship with any publicly traded companies and the result of its surveys are affected solely by merit. Access to the site and its resources are free to all classes of investors.