FiNetrics™ and BrightLane.com to Join Forces to Form Industry's Premiere Financial Super-Hub for Small- to Medium-Sized Businesses

Agreement to deliver first all-encompassing online financial source to jump-start high-growth companies

CHICAGO - JUNE, 15, 2000 - FiNetrics, Inc., an Internet company developing an online Financial EcoCenter™ for small- to medium-size businesses, and BrightLane.com , an online business center that provides administrative business services which is funded in part by First Union Private Capital, Inc., today announced their intent to enter into a business combination to create the premiere Internet financial super-hub for small- to medium-sized businesses.

The combined company will deliver an online resource that enables small- to medium-sized businesses to easily and efficiently manage most aspects of their financial and administrative operations. The transaction is subject to customary conditions, and the two privately held companies will announce details of the transaction at a later date.

"Pooling our resources will enable FiNetrics and BrightLane.com to launch an exciting new venture that will immediately become a formidable force in the online financial services industry," said T. Stephen Johnson chairman of BrightLane, a finance industry veteran and the founder and chairman of NetB@nk, one of the first Internet banks. "Our combined teams will comprise some of the most experienced and knowledgeable minds in the financial and technology industries. Combining FiNetrics' financial expertise with BrightLane's quality business services will enable us to offer customers a one-stop-shop featuring an expansive suite of 'big business' solutions designed to meet both the financial and administrative requirements of small-to medium-sized companies."

By uniting the companies, the new entity will solidify their mutual strategy to deliver a full-complement of powerful, integrated financial solutions for the small- to medium-sized business market so that they can manage financial and administrative operations efficiently online. Financial services offered to small- to medium-sized businesses will include:

• Accounting and Tax Services
• Business Process Outsourcing
• Internet Accounting Application
• Recruiting, Payroll, Benefits and 401(k)
• Banking and Brokerage
• Procurement and Leasing
• Internet Service Provider
• Insurance Products
• Lending and Credit Cards
• Collection and Credit Services

About BrightLane.com
Based in Atlanta, Ga., BrightLane.com (www.brightlane.com) brings state-of-the art technology expertise, products, and services to small business customers. It offers an online business center for businesses where members generate buying clout, and membership is free. BrightLane.com provides online banking, Internet service provider and web hosting services, payroll processing, recruiting resources, office products, and insurance solutions to small companies so that they can focus on core competencies and growing their businesses. Since its inception in April 1999, Brightlane.com has assembled a well-respected group of strategic partners to continue its fast-paced growth and service offering to businesses. BrightLane.com is the creation of T. Stephen Johnson, founder of NetB@nk, and Vinson Brannon, BrightLane.com President and CEO.

About FiNetrics
FiNetrics, Inc., is an online Financial EcoCenter that provides a comprehensive suite of integrated web-based financial applications and services to small- to medium-sized businesses. The FiNetrics EcoCenter will consolidate and integrate the fragmented financial services market for the small- and medium-sized business customer into a single resource offering accounting and tax, banking, insurance, leasing and payroll solutions, freeing businesses from costly investments in the technical and human infrastructure to support such systems. For additional company or product information, please visit the website at www.FiNetrics.com.

About First Union First Union (NYSE: FTU), with $254 billion in assets at March 31, 2000, is a leading provider of financial services to 16 million retail and corporate customers throughout the East Coast and the nation. The company operates full-service banking offices in 12 East Coast states and the District of Columbia and full-service brokerage offices in 41 states. Online banking products and services can be accessed through www.firstunion.com.

FiNetrics is a registered trademark of FiNetrics, Inc. BrightLane.com is a registered trademark of BrightLane.com. All other trademarks are the properties of their respective companies.

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