Compete, Inc. Appoints Financial Industry Analyst Stephen Franco to Head Consumer Banking and Finance Practice.

Business Editors

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 5, 2003

Franco to Spearhead Team to Meet Substantial Demand For Compete's

Consumer Banking and Finance Intelligence Services

Compete announced today that financial industry analyst Stephen Franco has joined the company as Managing Director, Consumer Banking and Finance.

In this newly created position, Stephen will leverage his industry experience to meet ongoing demand by major banks and other consumer finance institutions for strategic services to help them better acquire, service, cross-sell and retain customers.

As a predictive analytics company, Compete collects and interprets the earliest data on consumer decision-making available and delivers recurring recommendations on customer acquisition, servicing and retention tactics. Stephen will direct business development for Compete's Consumer Banking and Finance practice and advise clients on the critical issues influencing their business. Since launching its Consumer Banking and Finance practice earlier this year several major institutions including multi-line banks, credit card companies and automotive financial companies have incorporated Compete's Intelligence Services into their decision-making processes. During the first six months of 2003 the company as a whole experienced a 70% increase in revenues over first half 2002 figures.

"Today, consumers' first response to mortgage, refinancing, home equity, credit card and online banking offers is to investigate them on the Internet," said Don McLagan, Compete's President and CEO. "Stephen's industry knowledge and analytic skill will help Compete's financial customers better manage the ROI of their marketing, product development and customer service initiatives. In turn, our customers' successes will help Compete continue to grow," added McLagan.

Prior to joining Compete, Stephen was a Managing Director and Senior Research Analyst at U.S. Bancorp Piper Jaffray. In this position he established the eFinance universe as an important vertical in the growth stock sector, focusing on the online banking, brokerage and finance market segments. Stephen led the team that produced widely followed industry forecast and market share models as well as a proprietary tracking index. Previously, Stephen was Vice President at Pacific Growth Equities and a Program Manager at The Yankee Group (a Boston-based syndicated research and consulting firm). During his tenure at The Yankee Group Stephen founded the firm's Interactive Commerce planning service, representing the first dedicated Internet research practice in the industry.

"I am delighted to lead Compete's Consumer Banking and Finance practice and am impressed by Compete's comprehensive data and products as well as the analytic acumen of the team," said Stephen Franco. "I look forward to helping major financial services institutions leverage Compete's Intelligence Services to change the competitive playing field," added Franco.

Stephen is based in Compete's new larger headquarters at Four Copley Place, Boston. He can be reached at 617-859-1760.

About Compete, Inc.

Headquartered in Boston, Compete provides the earliest indication of actual consumer behavior available to give clients the information edge needed to improve the effectiveness of customer acquisition, servicing cross-sell and retention. Analytic and industry experts interpret data from Compete's unique standalone Consumer Behavior Database - representing the daily online behavior of millions of consumers - to deliver insights and recommendations on critical business issues. Since launching its services Compete has provided major automotive, consumer banking and finance and wireless companies with a new and unique vantage point on their customers and competitors not previously available. Compete is a privately held company that is venture-backed by leading investors. For more information on Compete visit the corporate website at www.compete.com.