MerchantOnline.com Reaches Agreement With Maroone Ford To Sell New and Used Vehicles Securely on The Internet

Business Wire, Sept 28, 2000

Business Editors

BOCA RATON, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 28, 2000

MerchantOnline (OTCBB:MRTO), a provider of secure credit and debit card processing for Internet e-tailers, today agreed to conduct a pilot program with Maroone Ford of Ft. Lauderdale, to enable consumers to purchase Ford Motor vehicles securely online.

"We are very excited about this pilot test program with Maroone Ford, one of the largest Ford dealerships in the Southeastern United States," said Tarek Kirschen, president and CEO of MerchantOnline.

"This is the first time, that the PC Pay(R) device will be used to enable consumers to make a refundable credit card deposit for a new or used vehicle securely over the Internet. Now consumers can shop, select and hold a car for a 24 hour period and do so from the convenience of their home or office."

"Maroone Ford of Fort Lauderdale is currently selling 100 vehicles per month via the Internet. We are always looking for ways to provide our customers with the most convenient means of shopping for their next vehicle and the ability to do so securely," said Leo Hillock, president of Maroone Ford Ft. Lauderdale. "The PC Pay device will give online consumers the piece of mind they are looking for when leaving a credit card deposit online. This will eliminate their personal credit card information being vulnerable to fraud or misuse."

Mr. Hillock went on to say, "customer service and a convenient shopping experience are very important to us at Maroone Ford of Ft. Lauderdale and we know it keeps loyal customers coming back and has significantly contributed to our growth and reputation."

About MerchantOnline

Founded in December 1997, MerchantOnline provides a secure transaction network that enables business and consumers to use one payment system for both their real world and virtual world needs utilizing credit card, ATM/Debit card and other payment programs. For more information see www.MerchantOnline.com.

About Maroone Ford Ft. Lauderdale

Maroone Ford has been serving South Florida for 70 years. As one of the top 100 volume Ford Dealerships in the country, Maroone Ford of Fort Lauderdale offers their customers a tremendous selection of New and Quality Pre-owned vehicle inventory.

Maroone Ford is part of the Maroone Auto Group, consisting of 30 dealerships in South Florida.

Except for historical matters, the matters in this press release are forward-looking statements and are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The forward-looking statements reflect assumptions and involve risks and uncertainties, which might affect the company's business and prospects and cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that all forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainties, including those risks and uncertainties detailed in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.