Sanchez Computer Associates announces 1996 year-end results.

MALVERN, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 10, 1997--Sanchez Computer Associates Inc. (NASDAQ: SCAI) today announced revenues for the year ending Dec. 31, 1996 of $17.7 million, compared to $16.8 million in 1995.

Net earnings were $1.1 million, or 12 cents per share, in 1996, compared to $1.6 million, or 17 cents per share, in 1995.

Sanchez's revenues for the fourth quarter of 1996 were $4.9 million, compared to $5.2 million for the comparable period in 1995. Net earnings were $391,000, or 4 cents per share, in the fourth quarter of 1996, compared to $1.1 million for the same period of 1995.

The results for 1996 were in line with expectations and were driven by strategic decisions made to increase investments in product and new market development. These investments have positioned Sanchez as a leader in the direct banking market and significantly increased the pipeline for new business in the emerging markets of Central Europe and the Asia Pacific Rim. In the fourth quarter, the company signed a contract with BBMB Kewangan Berhad, Malaysia's fourth-largest finance company. BBMB becomes the company's first customer in the Asia region, less than one year after Sanchez entered this market.

"Demand for our product is at an all-time high. Banking Internet sites worldwide surpassed the 2,000 mark in 1996, growing nearly five-fold from the previous year. Direct banking represents the future of banking and Sanchez plans to benefit from this trend," said Michael A. Sanchez, chairman and chief executive officer.

In December 1996, Sanchez completed its initial public offering through a rights offering at $5.50 per share to Safeguard shareholders. The company raised approximately $11.8 million in the offering, which was managed by J.P. Morgan & Co. and Wheat First Butcher Singer.

Sanchez Computer Associates, based in Malvern, is a leader in providing integrated solutions for the retail, commercial, wholesale and direct banking markets. Its principal products are PROFILE/Anyware, an electronic banking server that supports emerging delivery channel technologies as well as front- and back-office processing requirements of financial institutions; PROFILE/FMS (Financial Management System), a multi-company, multi-currency cost-center based accounting system; and PROFILE/ITS (Integrated Treasury System), a treasury support system that includes a sophisticated set of asset and liability management tools. For more information, visit Sanchez on the web at http://www.sanchez.com or send e-mail to [e-mail] .

Sanchez is a Safeguard Scientifics Inc. (NYSE: SFE) partnership company.

This news release contains forward looking statements, including statements of the company's sales and marketing expectations, that involve risks and uncertainties associated with intense competition, variations in market growth, development of new functionality, as well as other risks detailed in the company's SEC reports.

PROFILE is a registered trademark and PROFILE/Anyware, PROFILE/FMS (Financial Management System), and PROFILE/ITS (Integrated Treasury System) are trademarks of Sanchez Computer Associates Inc. All other company and product names may be trademarks of the respective companies with which they are associated. -0-

SANCHEZ COMPUTER ASSOCIATES INC.
SUMMARY BALANCE SHEETS
(All amounts in thousands)

                             Dec. 31,          Dec. 31,
                              1996               1995

Cash and cash equivalents   $15,446            $5,546
Accounts receivable, net      8,920             4,305
Other                         1,973             1,132
 Total current assets        26,938            10,983

Property and equipment, net     924               803
Capitalized software costs,
 net                            675               361
Total assets                $27,938           $12,147

Current liabilities         $ 8,756           $ 6,232
Long-term debt and other        272               310
Stockholders' equity         18,910             5,605
Total liabilities and
 stockholders' equity       $27,938           $12,147
-0-
SANCHEZ COMPUTER ASSOCIATES INC.
COMPARATIVE FINANCIAL DATA
(All amounts in thousands except for per share earnings)

                            Quarter Ended December 31,

                            1996              1995

Revenues                    $4,919            $5,240
Pre-tax earnings              $473            $1,904
Net earnings                  $391            $1,108
Earnings per share (a)
 Primary                     $0.04            $0.12
 Fully diluted               $0.04            $0.12
Average common shares
 outstanding
 Primary                     9,448             9,597
 Fully diluted               9,458             9,597
-0-
                            Twelve Months Ended December 31,

                              1996              1995

Revenues                    $17,715           $16,842
Pre-tax earnings             $1,540            $2,709
Net earnings                 $1,075            $1,587
Earnings per share (a)
 Primary                      $0.12             $0.17
 Fully diluted                $0.11             $0.17
Average common shares
 outstanding
 Primary                     9,300             9,588
 Fully diluted               9,415             9,588

(a) Earnings per share calculations for each period are based on the
weighted average number of shares outstanding in each period.
Therefore, the sum of the quarters does not necessarily equal the
year-to-date earnings per share.  Share and per share data have been
adjusted to reflect the six-for-five split of the Company's common
shares effective September 11, 1996.

CONTACT: Sanchez Computer Associates Inc., Malvern

Kathy Knaub, 610/296-8877

[e-mail]

or

Joseph F. Waterman, 610/296-8877

[e-mail]