H&R Block and Answer Financial Team Up to Expand Financial Choices for Millions of Consumers

Business Wire, March 6, 2001

Business Editors

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 6, 2001

H&R Block Online Customers Will Get Array of Insurance Options,

While Answer Financial(R) Members Gain Access to

Online Tax Planning and Preparation

H&R Block Inc. is expanding its financial offerings to its online customers by adding insurance products from the top online insurance portal, Answer Financial Inc.

As part of the arrangement, they will be offered H&R Block's comprehensive range of Internet tax preparation tools on Answer Financial's Web site, accessible by over 14.5 million employees and other affinity-group members.

"We believe H&R Block and Answer Financial are a perfect complement to each other," said Denis Kalscheur senior vice president of Answer Financial. "We share the same high-tech, high-touch, customer-focused philosophy in that both firms offer end-to-end Web functionality with live access to professionals on the customer's terms."

"We have done extensive research and feel that Answer Financial can provide our customers with the best online insurance buying experience," said Gene Goldenberg, senior vice president for H&R Block. "We look forward to helping Answer Financial enhance its platform by providing its members convenient access to Block's 'any time, anywhere, any way' tax support."

With products from more than 175 providers, Answer Financial provides auto, home, life, health, dental, long-term care, home warranty and many related products from top-rated national carriers.

H&R Block customers will have access to complete information on a wide range of insurance coverage, including convenient, side-by-side quotes delivered online in real time.

In addition, Answer Financial provides licensed insurance professionals -- who do not work on commission -- to answer customers' questions and assist with finding the right product, either online or by phone at 866/999-3434.

Visitors to Answer Financial's Web sites will be able to access H&R Block's comprehensive range of Internet tax tools. Block's new online tax services eliminate all of the guesswork and stress from the tax preparation process.

And when H&R Block provides online assistance -- whether through its professional tax service or do-it-yourself online tax program -- the user's return is backed by a standard guarantee that covers any penalty or interest payment in the unlikely event an error is made by H&R Block.

About H&R Block

H&R Block Inc. is a diversified company with subsidiaries providing a wide range of financial products and services. In 2000, H&R Block served 19.2 million taxpayers -- more than any tax or accounting firm -- through its more than 10,000 offices located in the United States, Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom.

H&R Block served another 1.8 million tax clients through its award-winning software program, Kiplinger TaxCut(R), and through its new online tax preparation services. H&R Block Financial Advisors, member NYSE, SIPC, offers investment services and securities products. H&R Block Mortgage Corporation and Option One Mortgage Corporation offer a full range of home mortgage products.

RSM McGladrey Inc. is a national accounting, tax and consulting firm with 100 offices nationwide, as well as an affiliation with 550 offices in 75 countries as the U.S. member of RSM International. Quarterly results and other information are available on the company's Web site at www.hrblock.com

About Answer Financial

Answer Financial Inc. features auto, home, life, health, dental, long-term care and personal accident insurance, as well as annuity products; prepaid legal services; home warranties; vision and prescription discount plans; online banking; travel protection, including roadside assistance; pet insurance; and A Good Deal More(SM), a discount program offering savings on travel and leisure activities.

Answer Financial offers access to 175 top-rated national providers through intranets, the Internet and by toll-free phone. Services are provided to members of sponsoring employer and affinity groups. Answer Financial also licenses its technology platform to selected third parties appropriate for insurance and financial services sales.

Answer Financial has attracted America's leading companies, including global consulting and investment firms, credit unions, banks, technology companies, manufacturers, retailers and law firms. Product providers do not pay to participate on the platform, and Answer Financial does not accept incentives to advertise or promote any given product or carrier over another.