Corporate Profile for Fingerhut companies, Inc. dated Dec. 5, 1997.

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Published Date:   Dec. 5, 1997

Company Name:     Fingerhut Companies, Inc.

Address:          4400 Baker Road
                  Minnetonka, MN 55343

Main Telephone
 Number:          612/932-3100

Internet Home
 Page Address
  (URL)           www.Fingerhut.com

Chief Executive
 Officer:         Theodore Deikel

Chief Operating
 Officer:         Peter G. Michielutti

Chief Financial
 Officer:         Gerald T. Knight

Investor Relations
 Contact:         Eapen Chacko
 Business number: 612/932-3371
 Home number:     N/A
 e-mail address:  N/A

Public Relations
 Contact:         Lynda Nordeen
 Business number: 612/936-5015
 Home number:     N/A
 e-mail address:  N/A

Trading Symbol/
 Exchange:        FHT/NYSE

Industry:         Specialty Retailing

Market Makers:    Bear Stearns & Co., William Blair & Co., Dain
                  Bosworth

Company description: Fingerhut Companies, Inc. (NYSE: FHT) is $2 billion database marketing company selling a broad range of products and services to the moderate income consumer through Fingerhut Corporation, its catalog and direct marketing company and Metris, its 83-percent-owned financial services subsidiary. Based in Minnetonka, Minn., the company and its subsidiaries employ approximately 9,500 people.

Its primary subsidiary, Fingerhut Corporation is the third largest consumer catalog retailer in the United States, selling a broad range of general merchandise. Fingerhut's core competency is the development and use of a proprietary database to provide credit, target offers, and build lifetime relationships with its customers.

Fingerhut Companies, Inc. also owns 83 percent of Metris Companies, Inc. (NASDAQ: MTRS), a rapidly growing, information-based direct marketer of consumer credit products, extended service plans, and fee-based products and services. On October 9, 1997, the company announced that its board of directors had approved the filing of an application with the IRS for a ruling on a tax-free distribution of stock of Metris. The proposed spin off would be subject to approval by Fingerhut's board of directors and is expected to be completed during 1998.

Fingerhut has a presence on the Internet through three sites: www.businesswire.com/cnn/fht.htm, www.fingerhut.com, and www.andysgarage.com. The company's press releases are available by fax at no charge by calling 1/800-366-2472.

Financial Highlights (millions of dollars except EPS):

1996 1995 1994 1993 1992

Revenues $2,027 $2,077 $1,934 $1,808 $1,606 Net Earnings $ 40.2 $ 50.8 $ 45.9 $ 61.8 $ 47.7 Earnings Per Share $ .83 $ 1.05 $ .91 $ 1.50 $ 1.07

CONTACT: FINGERHUT