Banton Technologies Named `Vendor to Watch' by Mortgage Technology Magazine.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

HUNTSVILLE, Ala.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 10, 2002

Banton Technologies, a collateral assessment firm specializing in real estate technology and residential appraisal solutions, was recently named one of 2003's "Vendors to Watch" by Mortgage Technology magazine.

In a hotly contested market, Mortgage Technology, in its November 2002 issue, has named Banton Technologies among those vendors expected "to do great things in the near future." The company's ValueWizard 3.0 technology provides a more accurate property evaluation model than the average automated valuation model (AVM), often doubling the rate of usable valuations compared to other providers. This technology, combined with the company's expertise and proficiency in accurate home valuations, is to be credited for moving Banton Technologies up to one of the leaders in the industry.

"We attribute our success to Banton's unwavering dedication to finding the most accurate home assessment solution available," said Dr. Stan Banton, chairman and founder of Banton Technologies. "Many of our current accomplishments are due to the introduction and success of ValueWizard 3.0 in the marketplace and our commitment to providing mortgage professionals with the right AVM solution."

ValueWizard 3.0 features an integration of data including county and city tax information, a regression analysis forecasting method and real residential property information - which it mainly relies upon. ValueWizard 3.0 is an "expert system" AVM that combines knowledge-based systems and artificial intelligence to replicate the knowledge and experience of an appraiser in order to perform as if the appraiser was valuating the property.

"This recognition from Mortgage Technology magazine signifies that our innovation has truly put us on the map as one of the industry's up and coming vendors," Banton continued.

Banton Technologies currently provides valuations for approximately 80 percent of the orders received for properties and provides usable valuations for 60 percent of such orders. Recently, Banton Technologies announced the expansion of ValueWizard 3.0 to now encompass the entire continental U.S.

Banton Technologies currently provides residential property valuation data to some of the largest financial institutions in the country including Bank of America, AmSouth, Regions Bank and SouthTrust.

About Banton Technologies

Founded in 1997 by Dr. Stan Banton, Ph.D., MAI, Banton Technologies is a collateral assessment firm specializing in real estate technology and residential appraisal solutions. Through a combination of an enhanced Automated Valuation Model (AVM), ValueWizard, personal interaction and integrated mapping software technology, Banton Technologies achieves much higher accuracy than most standard AVMs. Banton's technology was recently recognized as one of ten finalists in the 2002 Inman News Innovator Awards.

The company utilizes a Property Review Report to collect basic tax-related data on the subject property in conjunction with a robust AVM, ValueWizard, which employs geo-statistical formulae to return a highly accurate property value. Banton Technologies currently uses multiple sources of data to provide valuation capability in over 500 counties throughout the Southeast U.S., making it the most comprehensive AVM for this region. For additional information about Banton Technologies, visit the company's Web site www.banton.com.