Cardservice International Releases Cardservice WebApp, the Internet's First Fully Integrated Online Application and Automated Merchant Approval System

Business Wire, April 15, 1999

AGOURA HILLS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 15, 1999--

Cardservice International today announced the release of its next-generation online application called Cardservice WebApp, the industry's first online application developed for CSPs that instantly approves and activates merchant accounts.

Cardservice WebApp allows Cardservice International partner ISPs and hosting providers the ability to offer e-merchants and businesses real-time account submission and approval, giving merchants the flexibility to apply for and accept credit cards in as little as one hour.

Cardservice International released the Internet's first online application in January of 1998, which was quickly implemented by dozens of leading ISPs and CSPs and has been instrumental in Cardservice achieving a portfolio of more than 30,000 Internet merchants over the last two years.

According to Chuck Burtzloff, president and chief executive officer of Cardservice International: "We have built our business on a foundation of unparalleled service and leading-edge technology. Cardservice WebApp is the next evolution in providing our partners and merchants with solutions that give them a decisive advantage in the marketplace."

Cardservice WebApp is designed to integrate into a CSP's e-commerce solution and can be readily branded by a partner. If a partner is also utilizing the LinkPoint Secure Payment Gateway (LSPG) for real-time authorization and processing, then Cardservice International can provide an added level of service by simultaneously approving and activating the merchant on the LSPG.

The basic philosophy is that most merchants that are embracing the Internet for commerce are small- to mid-sized. Often small merchants initially run their stores part-time. Offering rapid deployment of a merchant I.D. and a means of accepting online payments can greatly enhance their ability to compete and succeed.

Barry Friedman, director of product management at EarthLink, said of the Cardservice WebApp, "Because we've targeted the small-business market, it's imperative that we provide our TotalCommerce(tm) merchants with the tools to design their site, get their merchant account approved and start taking orders quickly.

"Cardservice WebApp is a critical component of executing on that strategy, because it will allow merchants to process credit cards on their e-commerce sites in a fraction of the time."

About Cardservice International

Cardservice International is a technology-driven, customer-focused company that provides both merchant account services and secure transport of financial transactions for businesses in both the physical and virtual worlds.

Cardservice International has headquarters in Agoura Hills, with 200 field offices throughout the United States. For additional information, visit http://www.cardservice.com.