Communications Error At SIAC Subsidiary Causes Data Delivery Interruption.

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 12, 1999--Bridge Information Systems announced this morning that it experienced an interruption in delivering data on OPRA and NYSE vehicles due to a communications error at Sector, Inc. (a wholly owned subsidiary of the Securities Industry Automation Corporation - SIAC). At approximately 9:30am EST, BRIDGE technicians discovered a circuit alarm indicating a potential problem on one of the two circuits connected to Sector, Inc. BRIDGE immediately reported the alarm and circuit ID to Sector, Inc. technicians. During investigation of this condition Sector, Inc. experienced communications failure on the "live" back-up circuit it provides to BRIDGE resulting in the data interruption. The interruption lasted approximately 20 minutes after which full service was restored.

Sector, Inc officials have stated that the incident is under investigation.

BRIDGE would like to apologize to any customers who may have been affected by this unfortunate event. Bridge Information Systems is a global financial information company. Through terminal and market data feed products, BRIDGE and its affiliate companies supply over 280,000 users with information and news on equities, fixed income, foreign exchange, derivatives and commodities. The BRIDGE trading and technology center in St. Louis operates a broadband, state-of-the-art communications system that collects and disseminates market data, news and applications to clients such as institutional investors, broker/dealers, exchanges, corporations, and state and local governments. BRIDGE is the co-producer of the Nightly Business Report and is a leading provider of news and information to media companies worldwide. BRIDGE, with 4500+ employees worldwide, is headquartered in New York City with major regional centers in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Pacific Rim. For more information visit the BRIDGE web site at http://www.bridge.com.