StockPower Pioneers Online Affinity Investor Services Market.

Secures SEC Approval to Market Services that Help Companies

Leverage Corporate Web Sites to Attract, Interact with,

and Retain Long-term Investors

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 22, 1998--StockPower Inc., a pioneer in the online affinity investor services market, today announced a set of Web-based products and services that enable public companies to attract and retain long-term shareholders.

StockPower worked closely with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to clear the way for public companies to leverage their Web site and provide information, transaction capability and special affinity marketing programs to shareholders.

The new services allow companies to establish a direct connection with affinity investors based on mutual value and long-term loyalty, and to offer online investor communication services including Web-based direct stock purchase plans (DSPPs).

The first two StockPower(sm) product and service offerings are StockClick(tm), an interactive DSPP channel, and the Tombstone Marketing Service(sm). StockClick is a secure e-commerce communications and payment engine that leverages a company's Web site to establish a direct relationship with affinity investors, enabling them to buy and sell stock online from the company.

The Tombstone Marketing Service is an SEC-compliant service designed to help companies market their DSPP and investor relations programs online by creating a targeted media plan to attract long-term affinity investors and to drive Internet traffic to the corporate Web site.

"The essence of the Internet is direct connection," said Rick Hutchinson, president and chief executive officer, StockPower. "Utilizing the capabilities of the Net to communicate and transact directly with shareholders exponentially increases the ability to build long-term loyalty. With StockPower, companies solidify the relationship by turning shareholders into customers and customers into shareholders."

About StockClick

StockClick technology enables a company to offer its own stock directly to its potential affinity investor community via the company's Web site. Combined with marketing and investor communications programs, StockClick provides a cost-effective channel for building loyalty among these shareholders and customers.

In addition, the investor can choose to receive SEC-required reports and material, as well as other company-provided communications and services. By establishing this relationship with its shareholder base, a company can provide special programs and unique targeted services to those with a mutual interest in the company's success.

Compaq Computer Corporation is currently in pilot with StockPower's StockClick software and technology, and The Home Depot, Inc. is one of the first companies slated to use StockClick to let individual investors who participate in their DSPP buy and sell stock from their Web Site.

"For being deceptively simple, StockPower products and services can be quite powerful," said Craig Canine, analyst at Technologic Partners. "Their software and services enable corporations to sell their stock directly from their Web site and create a direct electronic communication channel with investors. Companies can send SEC required materials via e-mail, saving millions in printing and distribution costs. They can also cultivate investor loyalty by offering discounts, promotions and special service programs to online investors. It's a good way to remove some of the volatility from their market capitalizations."

About The Tombstone Marketing Service

StockPower recently obtained approval from the SEC to allow public companies to broadly market their DSPPs via tombstone advertisements on the Web within regulatory guidelines. The Tombstone Marketing Service links banner and button online ads to specific areas of a company's Web site where an investor can find out more details about the company's DSPP. The Home Depot, Inc., Bell Atlantic, and Wisconsin Energy are among the first to utilize StockPower's Tombstone Marketing Service.

SEC Approval

After more than a year of discussions with the SEC, StockPower received a no-action letter in July of this year, granting relief to corporate clients registering their DSPP on Form S-3 and clearing the way for public companies to use the StockPower system to: -0-

--   Offer a fully-automated DSPP at their corporate Web site

--   Market their DSPPs broadly on the Web within SEC guidelines

--   Enroll DSPP investors in an online communication and marketing
     channel

--   Deliver required SEC reports to shareholders electronically

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"SEC rules have evolved to permit public corporations to enter direct relationships with their shareholders on the Internet," said Greg Allio, StockPower founder and vice president. "The StockPower no-action letter clarifies how corporations can use the Internet and StockPower services to make their corporate Web site the focal point for transacting and communicating with individual shareholders."

StockPower Products and Services

StockPower technologies and services are designed to streamline business processes and reduce investment program transaction costs, giving public companies an efficient, cost-effective and secure way to let those loyal to their brands and services -- their affinity groups -- buy and sell stock and receive unique shareholder services online, directly from the company. StockPower offerings include: -0-

--   StockClick - Interactive DSPP Channel: A secure online service
     through which corporations establish direct connections to their
     affinity investors via StockClick, allowing them to buy, sell and
     track the company's stock directly through the company's Web
     site.

--   Affinity Marketing Programs: Tailored programs that are designed
     to increase brand loyalty and drive traffic to corporate Web
     sites by cross-marketing products, services and promotions to a
     company's affinity base, including the Tombstone Marketing
     Service.

--   Professional Consulting Services: Consulting services that cover
     securities law, electronic financial services and affinity group
     marketing and program development.

--   Investor Communication Services: Services designed to meet needs
     ranging from regulatory compliance to special shareholder offers
     and e-mail communications.

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All services are available today from StockPower. For more information on these corporate solutions, go to: http://www.stockpower.com/corporate/cs_index.html or e-mail [e-mail].

About StockPower Inc.

StockPower Inc. is a pioneer in the online affinity investor services market. StockPower's secure e-commerce communication and payment engine, affinity marketing programs and consulting services help public companies leverage their corporate Web site to attract and retain long-term shareholders.

More information about San Francisco-based StockPower and its services is available at http://www.stockpower.com or by calling 800/362-9287.

Note to Editors: StockPower is a service mark and StockClick is a trademark of StockPower Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.