Basis100 and E*TRADE Canada Announce Strategic Alliance
Toronto, Ontario--
January 14, 2000
E*TRADE Canada to provide customers with access to mortgages
through alliance with Basis100
Basis100 Inc. (TSE: BAS), an Internet-based e-commerce solutions
provider, and E*TRADE Canada, a service of VERSUS Brokerage
Services Inc. (TSE: V), today announced a strategic alliance
which will enable consumers to qualify and apply online for
mortgages through E*TRADE Canada's branded Internet site-
(www.canada.etrade.com).
The agreement integrates Basis100's established and proven Online
Mortgage Explorer (OME) software into the E*TRADE Canada web
site. The new Internet service will be promoted as E*TRADE Canada
Mortgage Explorer.
"The addition of mortgages to E*TRADE Canada's growing suite of
financial tools through the link to the OME is another definitive
step in our development of an online destination where customers
can conduct all their personal financial business," said Colleen
Moorehead, President, E*TRADE Canada. "This agreement reflects
our commitment to building market share by redefining the
Canadian retail customer's investing experience, empowering them
to do more."
"This alliance is a great endorsement of Basis100's value
proposition," said Gary Bartholomew, Chairman and CEO of
Basis100. "Adding the OME technology to the E*TRADE Canada site
is a natural complement to the advancement of online financial
services. Through shared vision and technological leadership,
Basis100 and E*TRADE Canada will continue to deliver distinctive
and powerful online solutions to the financial services market."
The E*TRADE Canada Mortgage Explorer will debut nine lenders
including MCAP Mortgage Corporation, Bank of Montreal and CIBC.
The new service will allow customers to obtain comprehensive
information on mortgages, comparison shop and apply for a
mortgage online from the convenience of their desktop. Consumers
will be able to fill out questionnaires, obtain custom quotes and
receive impartial guidance as to the mortgage that will best meet
their financial needs.
ABOUT BASIS100
Basis100 Inc. currently operates in North America and is listed
on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the trading symbol BAS. A
leading provider of Internet-based business-to-business
e-commerce solutions, the company focuses on creating mortgage,
consumer credit, securitization, and fixed income electronic
marketplaces. Basis100 provides its technology to financial
institutions, intermediaries, and service providers.
ABOUT VERSUS
VERSUS Technologies Inc. (TSE: V), together with its wholly-owned
subsidiary VERSUS Brokerage Services Inc., is a leading provider
of electronic securities trading services to the Canadian
marketplace. VERSUS' retail business is marketed exclusively in
Canada under the E*TRADE Canada name, as a service of VERSUS
Brokerage Services Inc. The E*TRADE Canada service is currently
offered in all provinces. VERSUS Technologies Inc. and VERSUS
Brokerage Services Inc. are headquartered in Toronto, Canada.
VERSUS Brokerage Services Inc. is a member of the Investment
Dealers Association of Canada, and the Canadian Investor
Protection Fund. E*TRADE Canada is a registered trademark of
E*TRADE Securities, Inc., and is used with their permission.
E*TRADE Securities, Inc. (Member NASD/SIPC), and its parent
company, E*TRADE Group, Inc., are headquartered in Menlo Park,
California.
ABOUT E*TRADE CANADA
E*TRADE Canada(R) is a service of VERSUS Brokerage Services Inc.
E*TRADE Canada has established a popular destination website
offering independent investors the convenience and control of
automated stock, option and Canadian mutual fund trading at low
commission rates. In addition, E*TRADE Canada has a suite of
investing tools that can be personalized, including portfolio
tracking, Java-based charting and quote applications, real-time
stock quotes, market commentary and analysis, up-to-the-minute
news and other information services. Customers can access E*TRADE
Canada at www.canada.etrade.com on the Internet as well as
through interactive voice response.
E*TRADE Canada was the first online investment service in Canada
to earn the CA WebTrust Seal of Assurance. This seal of assurance
informs electronic commerce consumers that E*TRADE Canada
maintains strict controls and procedures to safeguard its private
information.
The E*TRADE Canada site was chosen as one of Canada's 50 Most
Amazingly Helpful Sites in a recent edition of Yahoo! Canada's
Picks of the Week.
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Contact:
Michael Kraemer Colleen Moorehead Dave Copp
Communications Manager President Hill and Knowlton
Basis100 Inc. E*TRADE Canada (416) 413-4735
416-364-6085 Ext:106 (416) 214-6954 dcopp@hillandknowlton.ca
mkraemer@basis100.com media@tradeit.com |
