July 11, 2000

NAELB INCREASES BENEFITS FOR MEMBERS
NAELB ISSUES NEW CODE OF ETHICS/ SETS INDUSTRY STANDARDS
PLM CALLS STOCKHOLDERS MEETING IN S.F. TO APPROVE CASH NEEDS
NETBANK SETS RECORDS---AGAIN!!!!
BID-COM AND GE TO SELL CARS OFF LEASE ON LINE

National Association of Equipment Leasing Brokers is giving back "...two benefits back to our members. The first is a dispute resolution program wherein disputes between members can be brought to the NAELB Legal Counsel who shall work with the parties, the NAELB Ethics Committee and potentially the NAELB Board of Directors for dispute resolution, " according to their legal counsel Joseph G. Bonanno," The second benefit is that the NAELB shall place advertisements (after the July 3O~" return date) in trade journals, industry publications and other print media to the effect that members in our Association have agreed to subscribe a high ethical standard and that companies that are considering leasing should transact business with members of the NAELB.

"We at the NAELB are excited by this first type of program of its kind in the industry. Remember, your vote counts and this is your Association."

Joseph G. Bonanno
attyjgb@aol.com

A questionnaire was sent to all members to vote by July 31st.

( note: It is a requirement to maintain membership in NAELB that the questionnaire be completed by the NAELB member ).

THE NAELB CODE OF ETHICS

As broker members, funding source members, associate members and honorary members of the NAELB, we pledge ourselves to maintain honesty, professionalism and integrity in all our dealings with customers, fellow members, the public, equipment vendors, all licensed professionals, other brokers and funding sources, employees and subcontractors and members of other professional leasing associations. We ascribe to the following Code of Ethics and pledge ourselves to the word and principal of these ethics:

  • I. We will demonstrate honesty, professionalism and integrity in all our relationships and business dealings with customers, fellow members, the public, equipment vendors, all licensed professionals, other brokers and funding sources, employees and subcontractors and members of other professional leasing associations. We will at all times adhere to two golden rules: First, treat other business professionals as we would like them to deal with us and Second, to always conduct our business dealings so as to reflect a positive image upon our profession and the Association.
  • 2. We will respect the right of ownership of property. Where we have received hinds in a fiduciary capacity, we will hold and account for those hinds until returned or owned. If a transaction does not close, we will not keep such funds unless (a) the party remitting the hinds has acknowledged that the hinds are deemed earned, (b) to cover actual expenses incurred in the processing of the transaction, or (c) the subject transaction does not close due to a breach or fraud by the applicant and the application or agreement clearly permits retention for these reasons.
  • 3. We will communicate as soon as it becomes available to us all information germane to all third parties, funding sources, lessees, vendors and any others where the knowledge of any facts may impact any such party's decision regarding the transaction in any way. However, we will only communicate such information to the affected party, recognizing that we should not spread information to parties other than those affected by such information.
  • 4. We shall respect the confidences of our customers, clients and business associates- Any information delivered to us with the expectation of confidence shall be kept confidential by us. At all times, however, we shall not use the shield of confidence to hide facts that are germane to keep a hinder, broker or other party fully informed about a transaction.
  • 5. We will never knowingly make false statements to anyone. Under no circumstances will we perpetuate, encourage or disregard fraudulent or inherently dishonest activity by any person in connection with an equipment leasing transaction.
  • 6. When we are asked for legal, accounting, tax or any other professional advice, outside our profession, we will always advise that the individual we are speaking to should ask the same question of a duly licensed and qualified professional.
  • 7. We will not make payments to employees or other agents of a supplier or funding source without the knowledge and permission of the supplier or funding source.
  • 8. We will ascertain that all equipment has, to the best of our knowledge, been delivered before selling or assigning to any third party any lease transaction except where such verification is not required by a funding source prior to funding, such as in a pre funding program. However, we shall cooperate with the funding source on all issues of delivery and acceptance of equipment as our funding sources shall require.
  • 9. We will deal fairly with our finders in a manner which respects the value of their time and financial commitment. We will not request funding for any transaction if we do not honestly believe that the funding source would exhibit some level of interest in funding the proposed transaction in accordance with the finding sources programs. We will use our best efforts to submit proper and complete applications and documentation in accordance with the policies set by our funders from time to time.
  • 10. In all cases where subsequent facts impacting the viability or legitimacy of a lease transaction become know to us, even if such facts become known to us after the funding of a transaction, but only within a reasonable time after the finding of the transaction, then 'we shall communicate that information to all parties known to us having an interest in that transaction.
  • 11. In regard to our competitors, we will not seek unfair advantage by dishonest, unethical or questionable actions.
  • 12. We will strive to enhance our professional competence and keep ourselves informed of all new developments in our industry.
  • 13. We will respect the valuable proprietary nature of and relationships between brokers and their lessees and vendors and not circumvent these relationships except under terms which are agreed to in advance by all parties involved.
  • 14. The use of the terms "National Association of Equipment Leasing Brokers", "NAELB" and the NAELB "Logo" shall be used only by members in good standing on their letterhead and business cards in accordance with rules promulgated by the NAELB Board of Directors from time to time.. In the event that any member becomes aware of the use of the aforesaid by a non-member, then such member shall immediately bring the usage by the non-member to the attention of the Board of Directors for further action.
  • 15. All members of the National Association of Equipment Leasing Brokers agree to abide by and submit to the arbitration dispute resolution program administered by the NAELB and in effect from time to time.

Smarttoys.com has pulled web page per CNBC news report. (50+% owned by Disney) This follows the recent closing of Petsmart.com web page. Is this the sign of the times? If the B to C companies are having hard times I would think the B to B's will soon experience the same. Opinion only. ( name withheld by request--editor )

PLM International Designates Special Meeting Date

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., -- San-Francisco-based PLM International, Inc.

(AMEX: PLM) today announced that it has designated August 25, 2000 at 9:00 a.m. Pacific time, as the date and time for a special meeting of its shareholders for the purpose of considering and voting upon a proposal to sell PLM International's trailer leasing operations to Marubeni America Corporation, pursuant to the terms of an asset purchase agreement dated as of May 24, 2000.

The special meeting will be held at the World Trade Club, World Trade Center, Ferry Building, Suite 300, The Embarcadero (at the foot of Market Street), San Francisco, California 94111. Shareholders of record on July 20, 2000 will be entitled to attend the special meeting in person or by proxy and to vote their shares of record in person or by proxy at the special meeting. Each shareholder of record will be mailed a proxy statement containing information regarding the transaction, and the conditions to closing.

PLM International is a diversified equipment leasing and management company providing services to transportation companies. The Company specializes in creating equipment leasing solutions for domestic and international customers. PLM's trailer leasing division operates the largest fleet of refrigerated trailers available for short-term rental and lease in the United States. The Company also manages a diversified portfolio of over $800 million (based on original equipment cost) of transportation and related equipment for approximately 60,000 third-party investors.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes statements which may constitute forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provision of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. This information may involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected.

SOURCE PLM International, Inc.

CO: PLM International, Inc.; Marubeni America Corporation

ST: California

IN: TRN

SU:

NetBank(R) Sets Record Account Growth While Lowering Account Acquisition Costs NetBank Reaffirms Validity of Branchless Bank Model

ATLANTA, July 11 /-- NetBank, Member FDIC, Equal Housing Lender, (Nasdaq: NTBK); (http://www.netbank.com) and the nation's leading Internet bank, today announced that new account growth during the bank's second quarter exceeded all previous quarters, even outpacing the record-breaking number posted last quarter. Further, account acquisition costs for the year 2000 continue to be lower than costs associated with new account acquisition during third and fourth quarters of 1999.

"Our quarterly account growth rate has more than doubled since the last half of 1999, and our account acquisition cost remains well below $200 per account," said D.R. Grimes, NetBank CEO. "This is far less than the industry norm and well below our cost during the last half of 1999."

Between April and June 2000, more than 22,000 net new accounts were opened, 38 percent more than the number added in the first quarter and double the number opened in second quarter a year ago.

As of June 30, 2000, NetBank reported more than 104,000 total active deposit accounts.

"Over the last two years, NetBank's account growth has risen each successive quarter, while at the same time we've reported eight consecutive quarters of profitability," said D.R. Grimes, chief executive officer of NetBank. "Our continued growth in customer accounts and our ability to remain profitable clearly demonstrate the viability of our web-based business model."

Grimes continued, "We surpassed an important milestone this quarter when we reached our 100,000th account. To reach this mark in just three years is an amazing accomplishment within the banking industry. All of us who work at NetBank are extremely proud of how far we've come, but, at the same time, we are concentrating on building an infrastructure to service significant account growth in the future. NetBank's distinctive offering -- higher rates, lower fees, and innovative online financial services -- affords us the opportunity to greatly benefit from the rapidly growing number of consumers going online."

About NetBank

NETBANK, Inc, (Nasdaq: NTBK); (http://www.netbank.com), is a financial services company whose sole subsidiary, NetBank, member FDIC, is the first profitable pure Internet bank in the country, having achieved profitability in the past eight consecutive quarters. With over $1.5 billion in assets and customers in all 50 states and 20 foreign countries, NetBank was recently ranked as a Money.com pick for "Best Online Banks." With its low-cost, branchless business model, NetBank is able to reward its customers with high interest rates on deposits with low or no-fee banking services. Products and services include free online account access, free checking, free unlimited online bill payment and presentment, free checks, free unlimited ATM use, VISA(R) Check Card, VISA(R) credit cards, online brokerage services, mortgage lending, home equity lines and loans, insurance, IRAs, and business equipment leasing services.

NetBank is a member of the AFFN, Cirrus, Honor/Star, and NYCE ATM Networks. For more information on NetBank, its products and services, visit the Web site at http://www.netbank.com, or call 1-888-BKONWEB (256-6932).

SOURCE NetBank

CO: NetBank

ST: New York, Georgia

IN: FIN MLM

SU:

Breaking News

BID.COM TO PROVIDE INTERNET ON-LINE PRICING SYSTEM FOR GE CAPITAL AUTO FINANCIAL SERVICES

Bid.Com International Inc. (NASDAQ: BIDS, TSE: BII), a global provider of dynamic pricing solutions, today announced it has been selected by GE Capital Auto Financial Services (AFS) to enable the on-line auction of off-lease automobiles to dealers across North America. Bid.Com will receive an initial implementation fee as well as monthly hosting fees over the course of the two-year agreement.

Bid.Com's system allows pricing to fluctuate during an on-line auction, based on a pricing model and the dynamics of individual auction transactions. The on-line auction format is expected to be live for GE Capital AFS at the end of July.

GE Capital AFS will use the system to supplement its traditional sales efforts that involve auction partners, as well as its remarketing Web site, GEAutoDirect.com, which was launched nationally on May 1. So far, more than 260 dealers use the free Web site for one stop-shopping and direct delivery for most auto makes and models.

"Our two-year contract is a direct result of our recent strategic marketing alliance with GE Capital and serves as an excellent example of how Bid.Com technology helps world-class organizations re market their assets through e-commerce activities," said Jeff Lymburner, President and CEO of Bid.Com International Inc.

"Bid.Com's solution will enable us to host auctions on GEAutoDirect.com," said Ray Floyd, VP of e-Business for GE Capital AFS. "In the process, we expect this new functionality to help us reduce our cost of sale and increase our rate of return."

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