Curtis Mathes Links With Security First Network Bank to Provide Convenient Home Banking For uniView Users.

DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 18, 1997--Curtis Mathes Holding Corp. (NASDAQ:CRTM) announces an agreement with Security First Network Bank (NASDAQ:SFNB) to provide fully secured Internet banking services through uniView(TM), Curtis Mathes' set-top box which offers an array of information, communication, entertainment, and education via home televisions.

UniView's Internet channel guide will feature a link, entitled "on-line banking," for easy access through the Curtis Mathes Xpressway(TM) to SFNB's lineup of convenient Internet banking options. The announcement underscores Curtis Mathes' commitment to continuously expand uniView's features and benefits, while maintaining "touch-of-a-button" speed and ease that meets consumers' demand when going on-line through the home television.

"We are excited to be a part of the Internet banking market by teaming with SFNB, which has an already-established success record in secured on-line banking," said Patrick A. Custer, chairman and chief executive officer of Curtis Mathes. "In particular, banking services have always been an integral part of the uniView business model, and we are pleased that uniView is the first set-top box on the market to offer a complete solution for consumers wanting to conduct transactions from home."

This service requires no installation of software, but is accessed via a secured password assigned during easy application at SFNB's home page (www.sfnb.com). As the world's first Internet bank, Atlanta-based SFNB offers Internet checking services such as scheduling monthly bill payments electronically or via mail, on-line statements and registers, as well as on-line images of cleared checks and financial reporting. Other services include on-line savings accounts, on-line tracking of credit card transactions and balance payments of SFNB-issued Visa cards, and money market accounts with the ability to transfer funds into checking for bill payment. Certificates of deposit and access to Macro*World(TM), which offers full financial research, e-mail updates of portfolio activity, news and stock market information also are available.

"SFNB is excited about the opportunity to offer our on-line financial services through the uniView home television product. The teaming of SFNB and Curtis Mathes validates the reach and potential of offering full financial transactions accessible through any device, anywhere," said Eric W. Hartz, president, SFNB - Atlanta. "Further, since SFNB is a case model, this relationship allows for our subsidiary, Security First Technologies (S1), to offer client banks, representing 48 financial institutions worldwide with aggregate assets over $760 billion including 15 of the top 100 U.S. banks, the opportunity to take advantage of this Curtis Mathes distribution channel," he added.

With the Curtis Mathes uniView and a standard television, users can easily surf the net, talk on the phone, fax and e-mail, access TV listings and parental control features, and program VCRs. A printer port allows for printing information from Internet searches, faxes and e-mails. And, a credit card reader can automatically send encrypted credit card information for purchases.

"This link with SFNB also supports the electronic shopping features of uniView and will provide additional future revenue stream opportunities via processing fees when SFNB credit card holders use our set-top box to make Internet purchases," said Custer.

About SFNB

Security First Network Bank, the world's first Internet bank, opened its doors to the Internet community on Oct. 18, 1995. FDIC-insured SFNB provides its services using Virtual Financial Manager (VFM), a software system created by and licensed through its wholly-owned subsidiary Security First Technologies (S1). In addition to FDIC insured, SFNB stands behind its customers' transactions with a No Risk Guarantee. For more information about SFNB, visit them at the Web site (www.sfnb.com). Security First Technologies (www.S1.com) provides an integrated suite of financial management applications designed to help financial institutions offer products and services online in a secure environment. S1 also offers business and network security consulting, product integration , training services, and data and customer service center outsourcing.

About Curtis Mathes

Curtis Mathes has established an advanced standard for connectivity to Internet appliances by adopting leading technology from Sun Microsystems, Inc., MCI Telecommunications Corp., and Cisco Systems, Inc. It also has developed proprietary software enabling users to access the unique features of uniView. Curtis Mathes is a Dallas-based electronics engineering design and marketing company. The company also specializes in advanced televisions, large electronic display systems, as well as other new technologies.

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