Consumers and Creditors go head to head in the Super Bowl of Debt According to Amerix.

Business Editors

COLUMBIA, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 22, 2003

The wind is biting on the gridiron as the favored Creditors take on the Consumers in the national pigskin classic, the Super Bowl of Debt.

Consumers are not winning this game. The more they rely on credit, the more vulnerable they are to budget-busters like big medical expenses or layoffs. And even without those surprises, consumers with many credit lines are consumers that creditors see as risky, so they charge them more for the credit they offer.

It's a game that's not easy for the consumer to win.

Did you know?

-- Americans owe $722 billion on their credit cards, as of December 2002.

-- A record level of U.S. mortgage holders lost their homes to foreclosure in third quarter 2002.

-- The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. reported the nation's banks charged off $3.9 billion in credit card loans during the third quarter, a 34.5-percent increase compared with third quarter 2001.

How can consumers tackle these debt problems?

Knock a dent in unsecured debt (credit for which consumers don't provide creditors with collateral), which typically carries a higher annual percentage rate.

Nonprofit credit counseling agencies (CCAs) can help consumers facing big credit card bills. Agencies provide budgeting help and often enroll consumers with high card balances on debt management plans.

"Crushing debt is not a game. But unlike the Super Bowl, both sides win when a consumer calls the right consumer CCA," said Mike Croxson, president of Amerix Corp. "When a consumer is enrolled on a debt management plan, creditors get their money back and consumers get a break in rates and fees while they learn how to budget."

A reputable nonprofit CCA will:

-- Not charge consumers up-front fees to enroll in a debt

management program;

-- Will meet the accreditation standards established by the

National Foundation for Consumer Credit or the Association of

Independent Consumer Credit Counseling Agencies;

-- Will provide consumer access in-person, over the telephone or

via the Internet.

Amerix provides technology and processing for nonprofit credit counseling agencies. CareOne Credit Counseling Agencies commit to treating consumers with honesty, understanding, respect, humility, humanity and caring. Help from CareOne is available at 1-800-348-6935.

About Amerix Corp.

Founded in 1997, Amerix provides technology, processing and technology support to non-profit credit counseling agencies that meet the accreditation standards established by the National Foundation for Consumer Credit or the Association of Independent Consumer Credit Counseling Agencies. Since its inception, Amerix technology has enabled non-profit credit counseling agencies to assist nearly 1 million people by structuring payment plans to help them get back on their feet. Amerix supports only those credit counseling agencies that do not require up-front fees from consumers seeking help with their debt loads. To reach a credit counseling agency that serves your area, call 1-800-362-4882. Amerix, headquartered in Columbia, Md., is part of Ascend One Corporation, a family of businesses that includes FreedomPoint, Amerix Mortgage and 3Ci.