First Union Selects Tumbleweed Solution for Secure Internet Communication.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

REDWOOD CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 22, 2001

Tumbleweed Secure Public Network(TM)(SPN(TM)) Allows

First Union to Communicate Securely Over E-mail

Using Server-to-Server Based S/MIME Encryption

Tumbleweed(R) Communications Corp. (Nasdaq:TMWD), a leading provider of mission critical messaging solutions, today announced that First Union (NYSE:FTU), the nation's sixth largest bank with over 16 million customers, will use Tumbleweed Secure Public Network(TM) (SPN(TM)) to centrally manage and secure e-mail communications between its banking and business partners, as well as its large customers.

Tumbleweed SPN is a server-based S/MIME (Secure/Multi-purpose Internet Mail Extensions) solution that utilizes digital certificates and integrates with First Union's existing e-mail architecture to ensure secure online communication between business partners and customers.

First Union is a founding member of Spectrum EBP, a bank-owned payment system utility that routes electronic bills and payments between billers and consumers. With Tumbleweed SPN, First Union can automatically secure its e-mail communication with other Spectrum member banks. Tumbleweed SPN automatically encrypts e-mails before they travel over the Internet, and then authenticates and decrypts messages at the server level before they reach the recipient's desktop. Neither First Union nor its Spectrum EBP partners will have to install new desktop software, manage desktop certificates, or retrain end-users to communicate securely over the Internet.

"Tumbleweed's technology enables First Union to secure the information we exchange with the Spectrum member banks, as well as our other business partners and large customers," said Kellie Scott, senior vice president and director of eChannels at First Union. "Through our partnership with Tumbleweed, we can continue to build on First Union's strong foundation of online security as we expand our online services."

"Because the Tumbleweed SPN takes advantage of the Internet's broad reach, it enables companies like First Union to bring a virtually unlimited number of partners into their secure communication network quickly and cost-effectively," said Jeffrey C. Smith, president and CEO, Tumbleweed Communications Corp. "We're pleased to provide First Union with the ability to communicate with its Spectrum bank partners in a secure, open messaging infrastructure that supports their business objectives."

About First Union Corporation

First Union (NYSE:FTU), with $254 billion in assets and stockholders' equity of $15 billion at December 31, 2000, is a leading provider of financial services to 15 million retail and corporate customers throughout the East Coast and the nation. The company operates full-service banking offices in 11 East Coast states and Washington, D.C., and full-service brokerage offices in 46 states. Online banking products and services can be accessed through www.firstunion.com.

About Tumbleweed Communications Corp.

Tumbleweed Communications (Nasdaq:TMWD) is a leading provider of mission critical messaging solutions that create and manage secure two-way communications channels. Tumbleweed's customers use the company's solutions to define secure communication networks, to centrally control and monitor the corporate communications stream and to create a foundation for automated preparation and secure Internet delivery of sensitive business information. Companies that rely on Tumbleweed Communications solutions include American Express, Chase Manhattan Bank, Chevron, Datek Online, the European Union's Joint Research Council, FDA, John Deere, Merrill Lynch, Nike, Northern Trust, NTT, Salomon Smith Barney, Travelers, United Parcel Service, and seven of the world's largest postal services. Tumbleweed Communications was founded in 1993 and is headquartered in Redwood City, Calif.

Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters discussed in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected, particularly with respect to the performance of Tumbleweed's products and technologies. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "may," "will," "should," "potential," "continue," "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates," and similar expressions. For further cautions about the risks of investing in Tumbleweed, we refer you to the documents Tumbleweed files from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission, particularly Tumbleweed's Form S-1 filed July 26, 2000, Form S-4 filed August 3, 2000, Form 10-K filed March 30, 2000, and Form 10-Q filed November 14, 2000. Tumbleweed assumes no obligation to update information contained in this press release.

Note to Editors: Tumbleweed is a registered trademark and Integrated Messaging Exchange, IME, and Messaging Management System (MMS) are trademarks of Tumbleweed Communications Corp.