First Call signs distribution agreement with Wheat First Butcher Singer for Research Direct; Wheat First Butcher Singer's complete research reports are now available on-line exclusively from FIRST CALL Research Direct.

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 27, 1995--First Call Corporation, the leading distributor of real-time commingled research and earnings estimates, today announced that Wheat First Butcher Singer has agreed to provide its research reports exclusively to First Call Research Direct for electronic delivery to institutional clients.

Research Direct users will be able to gain real-time, on-line access to company and industry research reports from Wheat First Butcher Singer effective immediately.

"Our in-depth evaluation of on-line research report distribution systems led us to First Call Research Direct," says Thomas Horton, head of sales of Wheat First Butcher Singer. "Unlike any other system available, First Call Research Direct provides an established distribution channel to our clients who want on-line access to our wealth of research, including historical documents."

First Call Research Direct enables us to better serve our clients because it is the only system equipped to provide valuable client retrieval reports on our research product," adds Kenneth Berents, director of research of Wheat First Butcher Singer. "It is very easy to use and we realize that this is the research delivery system of the future."

The First Call Research Direct system now delivers approximately 34,000 complete equity research reports -- including all text, charts, graphs, color, and formatting -- electronically from 30 of the most prestigious sell-side firms to more than 140 of the world's largest institutional money management firms, representing more than 1,690 desktop views.

"Five years ago we welcomed Wheat First Butcher Singer to First Call Notes," says Bruce Fador, president and chief executive officer of First Call Corporation. "We're delighted to extend our relationship to include First Call Research Direct and offer clients Wheat First Butcher Singer s valued research reports."

"Wheat First Butcher Singer conducted an extensive evaluation of electronic distribution systems for its company and industry research reports," says Roland Beaulieu, senior executive vice president and chief operating officer of First Call Corporation. "After surveying their clients and speaking with other brokers, they have elected to sign an exclusive agreement with First Call Research Direct."

Wheat First Butcher Singer is a full-service retail brokerage, investment banking and asset management firm headquartered in Richmond, Va. Wheat First Butcher Singer has 2,500 employees in more than 100 offices nationwide, and its research department is staffed with 30 professionals.

First Call is the premier source of real-time, commingled equity research and corporate financial information. Serving institutional clients since 1985, First Call provides access to analysts morning meeting notes and intraday research broadcasts from major North American and international brokerage firms; full-text corporate press releases from more than 1,000 companies; timely earnings estimates on 13,000 companies as provided by leading research firms; and a fundamental database covering 5,500 public companies. First Call is also the leading provider of on-line equity research reports through First Call Research Direct, as well as a leader in delivery of research, news and commentary on the fixed-income markets via First Call BondCall. Boston-based First Call is part of Thomson Financial Services, a leading provider of quality financial information, research, analysis, and software products to the worldwide financial and corporate communities.

CONTACT: First Call Corp.

Matt Zachowski, [phone]