Brokerage firms offered access to Internet with NetBroker's introduction of Broker OnLine; Agreement with Ceres Securities launches electronic brokerage tool kit.

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 31, 1996--To help brokers and investors take advantage of the Internet and other information distribution channels, NetBroker, Inc., a leading provider of on-line solutions to the securities industry, announced today the availability of Broker OnLineSM, a comprehensive electronic product kit containing the tools financial service firms need to construct full-featured electronic brokerage services.

Through Broker OnLine, brokerage firms can create and market their own branded electronic brokerage services and expand their customer base, extend product lines and better service their customers.

The company also announced today its agreement with Omaha-based TransTerra Corporation, a financial services holding company, to use Broker OnLine to develop a customized electronic brokerage service for Ceres Securities, a unit of TransTerra and one of the country's leading deep discount brokerage firms. With the launch of Ceres Securities Online in February, Ceres' customers will be able to review and manage their accounts over the Internet.

"Technology is dramatically changing the brokerage industry, and the successful firms will be those that can harness the power of this new technology and most effectively pass its benefits on to their customers," said Bruce Temkin, General Manager of NetBroker, Inc. "We developed Broker OnLine to provide financial service firms, such as Ceres Securities, with everything they need to get on-line quickly and easily, and to help them grow their business without additional staff and expenses."

As the number of on-line brokerage accounts triples to as many as 1.3 million by the end of 1998, electronic brokerage services are becoming an increasingly important convenience and decision making tool for the individual investor and a defining criteria of success for brokerage firms.

"With Broker OnLine, NetBroker makes it possible for even small firms without large information technology capabilities to lead the way in electronic services," added Temkin. "NetBroker can customize the front-end, provide integration into the brokerage back-end, operate and manage the infrastructure, and provide project management support for rolling out the product."

The Broker OnLine tool kit features a number of functional modules such as on-line trading, account inquiry and servicing, market information, and investment tools that can be custom configured to meet the specific needs of an individual firm's sales goals. With Broker OnLine, brokerage firms can provide clients with direct access to information that's needed frequently; as a result, many time-consuming administrative functions such as confirmations and order processing, quotes, order status, holdings, balances and transactions can be automated.

For full-service brokerage firms, Broker OnLine can augment registered representatives by providing them with more advanced capabilities including historical pricing information, electronic confirmations, on-line applications and ready access to news, analysis and research reports.

NetBroker provided TransTerra with the Broker OnLine tool kit for the launch of Ceres Securities Online, and also developed and integrated the entire application. In addition, NetBroker will handle ongoing facilities management for Ceres Securities' World Wide Web site.

"We chose NetBroker because of its expertise in both brokerage strategy and technology product development," said Joe Ricketts, chairman and CEO of TransTerra Corporation. "Broker OnLine is easy to use and was customized for our needs, allowing us to create a great product that meets the needs of our Ceres Securities investors. NetBroker was able to deliver all of the services we needed to define, create and launch our product."

In addition to licensing Broker OnLine, NetBroker offers a wide range of related services ranging from consulting on electronic business strategy to outsourcing the entire electronic brokerage initiative, including product management and development through ongoing operational and facilities management. With significant expertise in financial services, business strategy and technology management, NetBroker works closely with financial service firms around the country to align a technology infrastructure with their business goals.

Based in Waltham, Massachusetts, NetBroker, Inc., is a privately held organization, with a minority interest owned by Block Financial Corporation, a subsidiary of H&R Block. The company provides private-label on-line products and turnkey solutions for the financial services industry. The breadth of services ranges from packaged on-line products to outsourcing of entire strategic initiatives in electronic distribution.

CONTACT: David Orsborn

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