Basis100 and E*TRADE Canada Announce Strategic Alliance;
E*TRADE Canada to provide customers with access to mortgages
through alliance with Basis100
January 14, 2000
TORONTO, CANADA--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. 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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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Michael Kraemer
Communications Manager
Basis100 Inc.
(416) 364-6085 Ext: 106
mkraemer@basis100.com
or
Colleen Moorehead
President
E*TRADE Canada
(416) 214-6954
media@tradeit.com
or
Dave Copp
Hill and Knowlton
(416) 413-4735
dcopp@hillandknowlton.ca |
