American Cash Flow (October 8, 2000)
Melville, New York - Vertical Lend Inc. has announced the launch of a unique program that enables independent financial professionals to offer an unprecedented variety of lending solutions directly to their customers. The service, now available through the company's Internet port, www.verticallend.com, is the first to offer such a broad range of loan products through the Internet to these professionals, operating

independently or within small firms, for the benefit of their clients.

Financial professionals can participate in the Vertical Lend program, which allows them access competitively-priced products for home mortgages and refinancing, loans for vehicles and small businesses and some leasing solutions, as well. These professionals, who become Vertical Lend associates upon joining the program, also benefit from all online access to the company's back office services, including documentation forms, client screening, credit checks and tools for marketing their own businesses.

"It really is a whole new way to get a loan," said Vertical Lend president David Peskin. "Vertical Lend Associates have instant access to products and services that allow them to fill a much broader range of needs for their clients. It enables them to serve as a single source for a variety of needs that typically can only be found at large banks or other lending institutions, while offering the added benefit of personalized service that their customers value very highly and could never hope to receive from a huge financial supermarket."

Vertical Lend's core strength is derived from its successful history as a provider of residential mortgages, refinancing and related products such as Mortgage Warehouse, which the company was known as until it changed its name recently to reflect the broader range of products it now offers. That expanded offering was further enhanced by alliances Vertical Lend also announced with leading provider's of small business loans and automotive financing.

The first such new partnership for Vertical Lend is an exclusive agreement with Business Loan Center, Inc. (a subsidiary of BLC Financial Services, Inc.), a nationwide Small Business Administration-preferred lender that will provide access to government guaranteed loans for small businesses through the Vertical Lend port.

Vertical Lend also announced an alliance with PeopleFirst.com, the leading online vehicle lender, which originates consumer auto and motorcycle loans over the Internet. PeopleFirst.com was named one of the five "Best of the Web" financial innovators in 1998 by Online Branding Report, based on its low rates, high levels of customer service and convenient, innovative online loan process.

Long Island, New York-based Vertical Lend, Inc. has about 400 member associates and expects to double that number by December of 2000. It originated approximately $190 million in new loans last year. The company is licensed in about half of the largest (by population) states in the U. S. and anticipates nationwide licensing within 12 months.