Micro Card Technologies to supply smart cards for Canadian Electronic Cash Card pilot; New Exact Card to be tested by Bank of Montreal and Toronto-Dominion Bank

Business Wire, July 1, 1996

BILLERICA, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 1, 1996--Micro Card Technologies announced today it has been selected by Bank of Montreal and The Toronto-Dominion Bank to supply smart cards for use in the new Exact card program, scheduled to undergo a year-long pilot test later this year by the two banks in Kingston, Ontario, Canada.

Micro Card Technologies is the marketing arm in North and South America of Bull CP8, the leading supplier of smart cards and related equipment. The Exact card is a reloadable electronic cash card intended for use as a convenient alternative to cash for the purchase of low-cost goods and services, such as fast food, video rental stores, gas stations, vending machine items and pay phone calls.

For the Exact card pilot, Micro Card will supply approximately 20,000 Bull CP8 CC60 Cash Cards to the banks. Nearly 12 million CC60 Cash Cards will be in use worldwide by year's end, including programs in Belgium, Switzerland, Netherlands, Australia, Brazil and now Canada. The CC60 Cash Card delivers unmatched security and functionality, such as:

- Triple DES (Data Encryption Standard) protection using two keys: one in the card, one in the terminal's security module. Cards and security modules each share half of the "secret"

- Multiple audit files -- transaction, credit, token type transaction listings provide a record of the card's prior use for traceability purposes; and

- Fast transaction time, typically less than 400 milliseconds.

Convenient Alternative to Currency, Coins

The Exact card works like "an electronic wallet." It stores electronic cash on a computer chip embedded on the card. Consumers will be able to load money from their bank accounts to the card at bank counters and through special load devices located at branches and other convenient locations. As customers make purchases, the amount of cash on the card reduces accordingly. Customers can then reload the Exact card whenever they want.

Some 800 terminals will be installed at participating merchants in the Kingston area to process Exact card transactions. The system and the terminals are adapted by the banks from the original Proton technology developed by Banksys Ltd., Belgium.

"The Exact card takes the hassle out of searching for exact change and complements the debit and credit cards people already use for other purchases," said Steve Phillips, manager, access cards and smart card development at Toronto-Dominion Bank "The trial of our Exact card in the Kingston area will tell us if Canadians agree."

"The Exact card program promises to be the largest electronic purse program in Canada, and is yet another indication of the growing interest in smart card technology in North and South America," said Eric Planchard, president of Micro Card Technologies. "The Exact card will soon become a familiar and convenient method of payment adopted by all Canadians."

About Bull and CP8 Micro Card Technologies

Bull CP8 is the world leader for smart card solutions with a 60 percent market share in microprocessor-based, high-security smart cards. Based in Billerica, Mass., Micro Card Technologies, Inc., is the marketing arm in North and South America for Bull CP8.

Micro Card/Bull CP8 develops and offers a range of products, including: contact/contactless smart cards, secure card operating systems, turnkey payment cards and electronic purse systems, WAN/LAN security systems, automated teller machines (ATMs), electronic cash dispensers, statement printers, POS terminals and software. Services include full technical and applications consulting, training and customer service and support.

About Bull

With a presence in more than 85 countries, more than 24,000 employees and combined revenue of $5.3 billion in 1995, Bull offers a wide range of systems, infrastructure software and IT services through focused innovation, alliances with the best partners and its own integration expertise. The company's North/South American headquarters are in Billerica, Mass., with significant R&D, marketing and customer support services in Phoenix. Other sales and support offices are located throughout North and South America.

Bull is recognized for innovative products such as Escala servers, Sagister multiframes, CP8 smart cards, plus infrastructure software such as ISM/OpenMaster, for the management of systems and networks. The company's Web address is: http://www.bull.com. -0-

All trademarks, service marks and company names are the property of their respective owners.

CONTACT: Bill Bradley

Bull HN Information Systems Inc.

508/294-5812

b.bradley@ma30.bull.com