Alliance Between Crowe Chizek and FundsXpress Provides Turnkey Option for Internet Banking.

SOUTH BEND, Ind.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 15, 1999--

Crowe Chizek and Company LLP, the nation's 9th largest CPA and Consulting firm and FundsXpress Inc., a leading Internet banking services company, have formed a strategic business alliance to provide easy, convenient and secure Internet banking solutions to financial institutions worldwide.

The partnership combines the two firms' strategic marketing, Web site development and electronic commerce expertise to provide a secure Internet Banking System. The alliance with FundsXpress is one aspect of Crowe Chizek's new C2Commerce(SM) service, which combines direct marketing, database management, information security, systems integration and electronic commerce services with FundsXpress' Internet banking transaction system.

"A principal focus at FundsXpress is secure transaction technology, and today we are combining that with Crowe Chizek's proven consulting expertise for financial institutions," said John A. Burns, Chairman and CEO of FundsXpress. "Our alliance with Crowe Chizek gives financial institutions an Internet banking solution that's integrated with their business, not just added on."

"With more than 2,500 financial institutions in our accounting, consulting and software practices, the ability to offer affordable, turnkey Internet banking services became a priority," says Kim A. Hemmes, principal-in-charge of Crowe Chizek's Financial Services Consulting Group. "FundsXpress provides a secure, comprehensive solution that will meet the Internet banking transaction needs of our clients in a cost-effective way."

Low-Cost Delivery Channel

The alliance between Crowe Chizek and FundsXpress makes it easy and affordable for financial institutions to open a secure online branch that is accessible 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week, from anywhere in the world. Financial institutions and customers get the ultimate in self-serve convenience as well as a low-cost delivery channel. Studies show it costs up to an average of $1.25 to process a transaction via a teller, while the same transaction on the Internet costs as little as one-cent.

Comprehensive Services

FundsXpress utilizes a data center concept that serves as the secure link between an institution and its customers, via any browser, for online transactions. In addition, the company functions as a web service bureau, maintaining state-of-the-art computer systems and offering unprecedented levels of security online.

The technical infrastructure managed by the FundsXpress Financial Network allows retail customers to make account inquiries, review 24 months of history and statements, confirm transactions, transfer funds, print copies of cleared checks, pay bills, reorder checks and stop payment -- all online. Additional services available to commercial customers include the ability to initiate wire transfers and arrange ACH debit/credit origination for items like direct deposits and inter-bank transfers. A repurchase/secure transaction account is also available for commercial institutions.

Total Security Solution

Crowe Chizek's C2Commerce framework also includes specialized services to address one of the most important enablers for the Internet Banking channel -- rock solid information security. To complement the security contained within the FundsXpress engine, C2Commerce provides financial institutions additional services to assess and manage the risk associated with network technologies, including Penetration Testing, Network Risk Posture Reviews, Security Engineering Services, Strategic Planning and Security Policy.

Seamless Service Integration

FundsXpress, a leader in secure Internet banking, was founded in 1996 and has approximately 160 clients, from small community institutions and credit unions to large regional holding companies. The company attracts larger institutions seeking an alternative to the multimillion-dollar investment typically required to establish a highly secure, transaction-based Internet banking service. FundsXpress is based in Austin, Texas.

Crowe Chizek's Financial Institutions Group is one of the nation's most comprehensive resources for the financial services industry. Its integrated suite of Assurance and Performance Management services provide clients with effective solutions to improve financial performance, create a competitive advantage and achieve profitable growth.

Crowe Chizek's System Consulting Group has developed an impressive resume of accomplishments in electronic commerce solutions. Offering full-service consulting and systems integration services, Data Warehousing/Data Mining and Enterprise Application Integration. Crowe Chizek's System's Integration business was ranked No. 234 on the VAR 500 listing, an elite group of companies representing the most successful value-added resellers (VARs), system integrators, and technology consulting organizations in the United States and Canada.

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