Melville, New York - May 28, 2003
Vertical Lend announced today the much anticipated approval of its Continuing Education (CE) course, Mortgage Lending Basics for CPAs by the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA). NASBA is a regulatory body governing over 37 state boards of accountancy and with its approval, Vertical Lend may offer the course to CPAs in each of these states for credit.

By recognizing that most states have CE requirements for accounting professionals, Vertical Lend was able to create the course within the parameters of their businesses. Mortgage Lending Basics teaches CPAs how to diversify their businesses by offering mortgages to their clients. Participants who complete the course and score a passing grade on the on-site exam earn a certificate of completion and five CE credits.

The course provides a basic-level overview of the mortgage industry. Discussions include an explanation of loan types, how to analyze different loan programs, the loan approval process, how to complete the loan application, a description of the legally required disclosures, how banks underwrite loans and how technology has simplified the loan approval process.

"NASBA approval is a great accomplishment for Vertical Lend as it helps strengthen our status as a quality education provider. We look forward to eventually touring all 37 states with Mortgage Lending Basics but, it will initially kick-off in four target markets-New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Massachusetts," said David Peskin, CEO of Vertical Lend.

Vertical Lend's in-house training and education department focuses on meeting the needs of accounting professionals. This department created Mortgage Lending Basics, tested the course in a focus-group setting to gauge its informational value and comprehensibility. In an ongoing effort to further build industry credibility and notoriety, Vertical Lend plans to offer additional CE courses geared toward financial planners and insurance professionals and to obtain approvals from each of their corresponding associations.

Vertical Lend enables financial professionals to offer clients a suite of residential mortgage products. Established in 1995, Vertical Lend and its retail division, Mortgage Warehouse, have closed over $1.5 billion in loans. With over 1600 associates throughout the U.S., Vertical Lend's unique platform allows accountants, financial planners, tax preparers and insurance agents to originate mortgages under its business model. Headquartered in Melville, NY, contact us at www.verticallend.com or by calling 1-877-692-7762.

Vertical Lend is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA), as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be addressed to the National Registry of CPE sponsors, 150 Fourth Avenue North, Suite 700, Nashville, TN, 37219-2417. NASBA phone number: 615.880.4200 Web site: www.nasba.org