Nationwide Building Society Adopts Interlink ePad for Payment Distribution System with Biometric Authentication

Business Wire, May 4, 2004

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

CAMARILLO, Calif. & BLYTH, United Kingdom--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 4, 2004

UK Mortgage Lender Selects ePad-ink and Florentis E-Signature Verification Software To Automate Internal Money Transmission System

Interlink Electronics, Inc. (Nasdaq:LINK), the world leader in the development of intuitive interface solutions and technologies for business and home applications, and Steadlands International Marketing Ltd., Interlink's Northumberland-based UK distributor, today announced that Britain's Nationwide Building Society, the UK's fifth largest mortgage lender, will deploy Interlink's ePad-ink handwritten electronic signature products throughout their payment processing system. The move, which will automate Nationwide's internal check payment process, positions Interlink's ePad technology on the leading edge of an emerging European e-signature standard.

Nationwide's ePad-ink implementation, which includes the installation of e-signature software from Florentis Ltd., will utilize Interlink's ePad biometric electronic signature pad to authenticate signatories who have approval to authorize payments at various levels. Nationwide's selection of ePad to provide electronic signatures capability as well as biometric identity authentication is part of the Company's system-wide transition to increase security and minimize the opportunity for fraud.

"Unlike the signature pads found in retail environments, ePad captures much more than simply the shape of the handwritten signature," said Moshe Meppen, Director of Marketing, E-Transactions, Interlink Electronics, Inc. "During signing, it also records the stylus pressure, stroke order and elapsed time. These invisible biometrics not only guarantee the security of the document, but, in this case, are employed to authenticate the identity and security level of the signor himself."

"Electronic signature solutions, like those offered by Interlink's ePad-ink and Florentis' Signature Control software, are being deployed by many large companies worldwide to enable secure authorization of electronic processes," said Trevor Elliott, IT Sector Business Development Manager of Steadlands. "By enjoying the benefits of biometric security, our customers are vigorously embracing e-signature technology as the way forward in this field. In addition to this, many customers see additional benefits in cost and processing time reduction.

"Nationwide turned to Steadlands when they required a readily available, off-the-shelf solution without the need for any engineering. With desk space at a premium in any busy business environment, ePad-ink's compact size and stylish look added to its appeal. We are delighted to have this opportunity to work with Nationwide Building Society and look forward to a long working relationship between our companies."

Nick Mettyear, Managing Director of Florentis Ltd., adds, "The combination of our software components with the biometric capabilities of ePad-ink has allowed us to supply Nationwide with the handwritten signature solution they needed very quickly. We are looking forward to strengthening our partnership with Steadlands and the ePad range of products in the future."

About ePad-ink

Interlink Electronics' ePad-ink electronic signature input device captures handwritten signatures with its integrated LCD input pad and, converting them into biometrically-secure e-signatures, binds them permanently into Microsoft(R) Word(R) documents, Outlook(R) e-mail messages, Adobe(R) Acrobat(R) PDF files, Internet documents, as well as many proprietary forms and transactions. Signatures collected with ePad-ink also contain an invisible biometric handwriting profile that may be used to authenticate the identity of the signer. The ePad-ink writing surface, which accepts signatures using any common stylus, has the natural feel close to that of writing on paper.

About Nationwide Building Society

The Nationwide Building Society is the United Kingdom's fifth largest mortgage lender and ninth largest retail banking, saving and lending organization by asset size. More significantly, they are the largest building society in the world.

Headquartered in Swindon with a second major administrative centre at Northampton, Nationwide offers a broad range of retail financial services including mortgages, savings, current accounts, life assurance and investment products, personal loans and household insurance are all available from the Nationwide Group. Nationwide is a mutually-owned organization. This means it belongs to its members and is run for their benefit. Its mutual status makes Nationwide different to the banks. Further details can be found at www.nationwide.co.uk.

About Steadlands International Marketing

Steadlands International Marketing Ltd. is the UK-based distributor and representative for Interlink Electronics, Inc. offering all of the US company's Specialty and Electronic Transaction products. Steadlands also offers a wide range of PC and industrial peripherals and specialized electronic components. Information is available from www.steadlands.com.