United Overseas Bank Malaysia Signs Agreement with First Ecom Data Services Asia Limited

Business Wire, August 27, 2001

As at 31 December 2000, the UOB Group had total assets of S$66.3 billion and shareholders' funds of S$6.8 billion. It also achieved a record Net Profit After Tax of S$913 million for 2000, and ROE stood at 14.1%.

UOB is rated among the world's top banks by Moody's Investors Service, receiving B for Bank Financial Strength, and Aa2 and Prime-1 for long-term and short-term deposits respectively.

Asiamoney has ranked UOB as Asia's 3rd Strongest Bank as well as the Strongest Bank in Singapore. In addition, US-based Global Finance has ranked UOB No. 62 out of 300 global banks in the publication's annual selection of the World's 300 Safest Banks 2000, as well as named UOB the Safest Bank In Singapore.

Certain statements contained herein are "forward-looking" statements (as such term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995). Because such statements include significant risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. For a discussion of some of these risks and uncertainties, please refer to the company's SEC filings, which contain additional discussion about those risk factors which could cause actual results to differ from management's expectations. First Ecom expressly disclaims any obligation to update the statements contained herein.