SUPERVALU Selects Solutran for Returned Check Management Services.

Business Editors

MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 2, 2001

Solutran(R), a leading provider of payment processing services, today announced that it is providing SUPERVALU INC. with returned check management services including Consolidated Returns, Re-presented Check Entry (RCK), and Double PostCard Service Fee Recovery. Solutran will service SUPERVALU's Cub Foods, FarmFresh, and Shop `n Save stores.

"Each of the three retail businesses has different check management needs. With Solutran, we are able to customize our returned check management programs to meet the business needs of the individual stores," said Eric Feld, SUPERVALU's director of Accounting Systems and Conversion.

Solutran's Consolidated Returns channels all returned checks into one bank account to reduce costs and increase efficiencies. This system saves significantly on transaction time, dramatically reduces banking fees, and decreases or eliminates the logistical problems of tracking, monitoring, and managing returned checks from multiple locations.

Solutran's Electronic Re-presentment of NSF Checks (RCK) collects on NSF checks electronically via the Automated Clearing House (ACH), which can enhance collection strategies, reduce bad debt, and save operating time and money.

Solutran's Double PostCard for Service Fee is an innovative, consumer-friendly way to more effectively collect service fees on returned items. Consumers sign the postage-paid double postcards and drop them in the mail, authorizing an electronic debit from their checking accounts via the ACH network.

SUPERVALU also has access to 24-hour online reporting, which provides complete details on all returned checks processed through the system, including high-quality digital images of the front and back of each check.

"Solutran's online reporting system gives us immediate access to information on all returned checks," said Feld. "Digital images and item detail help us improve our internal check acceptance policies and customer service processes."

About Solutran

Solutran is a provider of turnkey treasury management services for clients nationwide that process a high volume of low-value transactions. Clients include large companies in the consumer products, publishing, direct marketing, and retail industries. Solutran's customized solutions include return item services, online capabilities, electronic commerce, electronic conversion, disbursement and depository services, and alternative checking applications. Headquartered in Minneapolis, Solutran has 65 employees at their corporate office. For more information, visit Solutran's web site at www.solutran.com or call 888.SOLUTRAN (765.8872).

About SUPERVALU

SUPERVALU, with annual sales of $23 billion, is the largest distributor to grocery retailers and is the 10th largest supermarket retailer in the country. The company operates 1,179 stores, including licensed locations, and serves as the primary supplier to approximately 3,000 supermarkets and 55 Cub Foods franchised locations, while serving as secondary supplier to 2,250 additional stores. For more information, visit SUPERVALU's website at www.supervalu.com.