November 16, 2000

Unicapital Ceases New Business---Story Confirms Our Insider Reports for the last 30 days----
    NAELB Expels Lease Capital Corporation/Principal Martin J. Barteske
       "We get letters..."
          Ron Wagner on Sabatical---
            Michael Flemming/SIR Projects Continued Growth for Leasing Industry.
              A-R-M
                Capital Stream Increases Revenues
                   Most Popular Cars Leased On Line---
                       and PT Cruisers!!!!! ( can you believe it? )
                             Marshall and Isley Patents Sterling Bank Increases Dividend 26% --
                             Hooray!!!!! Good News!!!!Great!!!!

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We could not get Unicapital to respond to us, but Dow Jones got them to talk and confirm what we have been reporting for the last 30 days from "insiders."

UniCapital To Stop Originating New Leases; Expects QIII Loss

By Donna Hemans, Dow Jones Newswires

UniCapital said it recently decided to stop originating new leases, and as a result will terminate 245 employees whose duties involved lease originations. In a Form 8K filed Wednesday with the Securities and Exchange Commission, UniCapital said it will concentrate on servicing and realizing value from its existing lease portfolio. The company said its remaining employees are continuing to service its existing lease portfolio and collect payments. In a previous quarterly report filed with the SEC on Aug. 14, the company said it eliminated 38 positions and reduced the salaries of 11 senior officials.
Separately, in a non-timely Form 10Q filed Wednesday with the SEC, UniCapital said it expects to post a significant loss in the third quarter versus net income reported in the 1999 third quarter.

UniCapital said the losses are mainly caused by additions to a previously established reserve for assets in its Big Ticket Division. The company also cited additional write-offs of goodwill. UniCapital said it hasn't yet determined the final amounts of reserve additions and goodwill write-offs.

The company also said it isn't yet able to estimate the impact of these factors on its financial results for the third quarter, ended Sept. 30.

UniCapital said its quarterly report has been delayed because management has concentrated on matters related to its credit lines and financing.

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NAELB Expels Lease Capital Corporation

TO: ALL MEMBERS OF THE NAELB
FR: JOE BONANNO, ESQ., NAELB LEGAL COUNSEL
DT: NOVEMBER 15, 2000

To All Members of the NAELB:

This correspondence is to advise all members of the NAELB that the Board of Directors, in conjunction with the NAELB Ethics Program, has taken action against a member of the NAELB. The Board of Directors takes this action after there is a process of a complaint being filed against a member, a response process taking place, a review by the NAELB Ethics Committee and a referral by the NAELB Ethics Committee to the Board of Directors. Therefore, this is a process whereby there is ample time for the resolution of the matter, review by multiple individuals and finally a review by the Board of Directors. Every benefit of the doubt is extended to the parties involved and there is a specific procedure that is followed along the way.

A matter that did reach the Board of Directors involving a company called Lease Capital Corporation located at 20902 Brookhurst Street, Huntington Beach, CA of which an individual known as Martin J. Barteske is the principal. The Board of Directors, in accordance with the Ethics Procedure voted in place by the voting membership of the NAELB, has voted to expel Lease Capital Corporation from membership in the NAELB effective immediately.

As always, the NAELB encourages our members to conduct business with members and in the event there is difficulty between members, the NAELB can attempt to resolve the matter or in the extreme case, expel a member from membership.

We at the NAELB are hopeful that our members find the ethics program to be a great member benefit.

( We had a posting regarding an incident with Lease Capital Corporation and Martin Barteske with much documentation, but believe we were successful and the sender asked us to withhold the information. Much of the "complaints" we get are settled by others, such as the National Association of Equipment Lease Brokers. The $295 membership fee is the lowest in the industry and you not only get help such as above, but the naelb post, ability to instantly contact fellow members on line for help in finding a source, or answering a question, is worth much more than the membership fee, believe me. Having access to both Barry Marks and Joseph Bonnano---that's priceless. www.naelb.org.----editor )

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To Clear Up Any Confusion: Bay View Savings is Still Active In Leasing

Kit,

I wanted to provide clarification to the Signature Leasing statement that "Signature Leasing has been a lessor and super broker for many years, with lines at several sources, including Bay View Savings, that is no longer in the leasing business."

Bay View Savings which is actually Bay View Bank (a publicly traded $6.5 billion financial institution), is actively expanding its leasing operations through its Bay View Commercial Leasing Division. We continue to aggressively grow our business through direct originations as well as through a select group of third party originators. However, we did recently close our Franchise Mortgage Acceptance Division which provided large ticket financing to the QSR and Energy sectors.

Thanks,

Jeff Allard COO,
Bay View Commercial Leasing
JAllard@bvcl.com

( The Leasing News List does include Franchise M0ortgage Acceptance Division news. I think the original intention was that Bay View Savings is no longer doing leases in the manner they had been with Signature Financial and their affiliates. I hope Jeff's comments clears up any confusion---editor )

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Ron Wagner

Finally trapped the famous Ron Wagner down. He has a house in San Diego and one in the Desert, where he plays golf. He told me he is no longer with El Dorado Bank, parent of Commerce Security. He told me he had recommend Dave Copp, and considered himself now on a sabbatical. I wanted to reach him for a quote on a story we will run next week.

It was interested to speak to him and learn why they decided to close down Commerce Security Leasing. This is really a thumb nail of what he said, and I don't want to get it out of context. Commerce Security was one of the first to get out of the marketplace and in hindsight, was ahead of the trend that follows ( or is happening today ). Downsizing or just closing is prevalent and tightening of credit in all broker relationships is happening.

Ron said the margins weren't there, both brokers and vendors had learned the tricks of application only, telemarketers and the internet was bringing in leasing transaction with problems not covered by professionals and having relationships with lessees, brokers were expecting more and more with less and less margins and more and more problems and he could see the writing on the wall. Of course, Ron has been around longer than many with much experience in all phases of leasing.

I think he may get bored playing golf all the time, but it is Winter in the desert, and I bet he stays there while the weather is warm and waits until Spring to see what thaws out. He didn't tell me that, and I apologize to him if I left anything out or "misquoted" him, but that was the gist of the conversation.

And yes, I see "downsizing" becoming quite prevalent in the leasing industry and also see "different" times ahead, especially the first and perhaps the second quarter of next year. -

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This Report Says Leasing Industry Will Continue to Grow and ELA President Michael Flemming evidently hasn't played golf with Ron Wagner recently.... or perhaps captive vendor leasing programs and on line internet leasing is where the industry is headed and Flemming is right on the money????? This story is only the headlines and perhaps we should all read the original report by ELA.

Flemming Projects:

Equipment Leasing Volume Continues to Surge;Leasing Industry Expected to Grow to $260 billion in 2000

ARLINGTON, Va., Nov. 16 /PRNewswire/ --

According to the 2000 State of the Industry Report (SIR) released today by the Equipment Leasing and Finance Foundation (ELFF), the equipment leasing industry grew 13 percent in equipment leasing volume from 1998 to 1999. In 1999, the equipment leasing industry surpassed its 1998 industry performance of $207 billion and reported $234 billion in equipment leasing volume. The report predicts that with continued growth, the equipment leasing industry will reach $260 billion for 2000.

The SIR revealed the fastest growing segments of equipment leasing are software and computers respectively. Unaccounted for in the SIR's $234 billion industry total, software leasing generated an additional $54 billion dollars for the equipment leasing industry in 1999. According to the report, computers and software leasing volume increased 23.2 percent between 1998 to 1999.

There are several reasons cited in the SIR for the notable increase in leasing volume. In the past year leasing has become an increasingly popular choice for financing for reasons including: convenience, flexibility, increased cash flow, tax benefits and the opportunity to transfer the cost of upgrading equipment to the lessor.

"One of the reasons we see an increase in equipment leasing volume is because strategic financial decision makers are recognizing that the equipment leasing industry is offering more favorable terms. Many companies are greatly increasing their technology investments and are recognizing greater cash flow as a result of leasing. This drives customers to continue leveraging leasing to their financial benefit," Michael Fleming, president of the Equipment Leasing Association said.

Other SIR highlights include:

* Large ticket (transactions greater than $250,000) and small ticket (transactions less than $25,000) segments report greater profitability than the middle market ticket segment.

* The middle market segment captured 44 percent of all new leasing volume in 1999.

* Among lessor types, banks were the most profitable segment.

* Most major lessors have developed Internet strategies to respond to customers' needs.

With its focus on future trends and their impact on the industry, ELFF commissioned Financial Institutions Consulting (FIC) to create the SIR, a competitive analysis of the leasing industry.

The report incorporates information from the Equipment Leasing Association's 2000 Survey of Industry Activity report, proprietary research and analysis as well as insight from industry experts representing a cross-section of the major lessor types, ticket sizes as well as vendors to the industry.

To order a copy of the SIR, please contact Tonya Clements at 202-293-4168 ext. 577 or e-mail at tclements@promarcagency.com; or contact Jennifer Shields at 202-293-8563 or e-mail at shields@promarcagency.com.

The Equipment Leasing and Finance Foundation is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization established by the Equipment Leasing Association of America in 1989. The Foundation develops and promotes the body of knowledge to enhance recognition and understanding of lease financing through programs that identify, study, and report on critical issues affecting equipment leasing and finance.

SOURCE Equipment Leasing and Finance Foundation
CO: Equipment Leasing and Finance Foundation
ST: Virginia, District of Columbia, Maryland

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A-R-M

Being a supplier of Lease Processing Software to equipment lessors over the past 5 years has led me to respond to your newsletter (which is one of only a dozen newsletters that I find value in).

We as producers of a software application that helps Leasing companies take an advantaged position over competitors by providing quicker responses and facilitating Vendors and brokers with more useful tools and information at a breakneck speed have found that this wireless revolution is just yet another tool for us to expand our information out to. We have expanded our application away from the desktops and lap tops down to the Palm devices (Palm VII Wireless) and Web Enabled Phones (WAP). It has been exciting technology to show off to say the least. We are able to publish the same sort of information that a sales person, broker, vendor or end user would wait around for to appear on their PC out to the freedom of their WAP enabled cell phone or Palm Device (or Blackberry for that matter). The information that is being exchanged is Activity Status of deals, Task Queues (To-do lists), Searches of companies and contact info (and direct dialing them when located) and wireless creation of credit apps and submission for processing (allowing for signature capture as well).

I was compelled to share this with you because I wanted you to know that with all the high tech devices and services out there that you may have been exposed to, I was not sure if you had seen of or heard of any of the software vendors servicing the leasing market having leveraged these devices to good usage. We are very proud of what we have done and look forward to expanding usage on this platform as well as future platform or device options of the future.

Keep up the good work (and word).
Dan Gleason Dan Gleason

General Manager Automated Resource Management
www.a-r-m.com
Creators of the ARMLease Software Suite

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CapitalStream Increases Revenues, Subscribers and Contract Value Since Launch of its e-Finance Platform

Ballooning transaction volume also indicative of healthy market for online financing solutions

Seattle-November 15, 2000-Capital Stream, Inc. announced steady increases in revenues, subscribers and contract values since April 2000, the launch date of CapitalStream.com, its e-finance platform that allows companies to streamline commercial financing online. Since this April, company revenues increased an average of 28 percent per month, the number of subscribers to CapitalStream.com has increased an average of 35 percent per month and values of contracts signed have increased an average of 85 percent per month.

Said Stephen Campbell, president and CEO of CapitalStream, "We have a unique value proposition that services each segment of the commercial finance industry. In fact, over 50 companies and 460 respective participants have turned to CapitalStream's e-finance platform. The expanding number of funding sources and lease brokers who subscribe to the CapitalStream.com network have increased the number of online commercial finance applications by an average of 200 percent every month."

By providing customers an e-finance platform with a broad range of applications and services, CapitalStream helps finance companies, manufactures and B2B e-commerce companies put in place online transaction processing. Unlike commercial finance solutions that market direct to end users and disintermediate the finance brokers, CapitalStream is helping both the originators and suppliers of financing to streamline work flow, better manage credit risk and improve profitability. CapitalStream supports both the traditional distribution channels and emerging markets online and enables subscribers to better control upstream and downstream relationships while differentiating their service offerings online.

"These numbers represent a fast move out of the gate for an e-finance platform provider," said Campbell. "They place us on track to quickly become the leader in the industry in terms of actual approved finance deals."

About CapitalStream

Seattle-based CapitalStream is a leading provider of hosted e-commerce solutions - including customer program management tools, workflow automation, and an online transaction network - for the global commercial finance market. The company's e-commerce solution, CapitalStream.com, provides the infrastructure that enables private label and customer-managed online capabilities for finance companies, manufacturers and B2B e-commerce companies to capture, grow and service customers. CapitalStream has been an established industry leader for over five years, and has helped several hundred financial organizations increase their competitiveness, customer service and profitability.

For additional information about CapitalStream visit its web site at www.CapitalStream.com.

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PS Capital Strengthens Management Team; Also Announces Alliance with ABN AMRO

ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 16, 2000--UPS Capital Corporation, the financial services subsidiary of UPS (NYSE: UPS), today announced the addition of four financial services industry leaders to its senior management team, bringing both experience and innovation to the company's business of integrating the flow of funds with the flow of goods and information through the resources of UPS.

Richard Brown, Rodney W. Darensbourg, Charles G. Johnson and Jack B. Pereira are joining the UPS Capital management team and are responsible for the company's Credit, Leasing Services, Distribution Finance, and Payment Solutions business units, respectively. They have an average of 25 years each in the financial services industry.

"The new members of our management team - all of them highly experienced and capable financial industry professionals - will help us achieve our mission of accelerating the flow of funds through the supply chain with robust efficiency," said Bob Bernabucci, president, UPS Capital. "In addition, their collective experience will be utilized to manage the controlled and disciplined growth of UPS Capital, one of our primary objectives."

Separately, UPS Capital Global Trade Finance announced an alliance with the North American operations of ABN AMRO Bank N.V. to provide enhanced international trade services. ABN AMRO is working with UPS Capital Global Trade Finance to develop the back-end technology and trade services for companies doing business internationally, particularly the issuance and negotiation of letters of credit and subsequent bankers' acceptance financing. This advances UPS Capital's mission of enabling businesses to streamline the complex and time-consuming process of importing and exporting goods.

Netherlands-based ABN AMRO Bank N.V. is one of the world's largest banks with total assets of $511 billion and more than 3,500 locations in 70 countries and territories. In North America, ABN AMRO has $171 billion in assets and banking offices in 13 cities in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

The following is biographical information on UPS Capital's new senior executives:

Richard Brown, who is heading UPS Capital's Credit unit, brings expertise in enterprise risk management, policy development, credit approval, underwriting, business development, and portfolio administration. Previously, he has served as senior vice president and director of portfolio risk management and credit policy at Bank Austria-Creditanstalt; as chief credit policy officer and director of risk management at Copelco Financial Services Group, Inc.; as senior vice president and senior credit officer at First Union National Bank; and as senior vice president and regional director of corporate loan review at Fleet Financial Group.

Rodney Darensbourg, who is heading UPS Capital's Leasing Services, brings financial services experience in leasing, distribution finance and asset-based environments. His previous positions have included senior vice president of operations and senior vice president of strategy at AT&T Credit/Lucent Technologies Product Finance; vice president of sales and marketing in the Inventory Finance Division at AT&T Capital Corp.; vice president of sales and marketing in the Inventory Finance Unit of The CIT Group; and various positions in credit management, operations, and sales for Westinghouse Credit Corp.

Charles Johnson, who is heading UPS Capital's Distribution Finance unit, has extensive experience in asset-based lending and factoring. Prior to joining UPS Capital, he was president and CEO of Allstate Financial Corp. and previously served as executive vice president and division manager for Heller Financial, Inc. He also has held positions with Whirlpool Financial Corp., First Union Commercial Corp., and Aetna Business Credit (now Fleet Capital). He is currently president of the Commercial Finance Association (CFA), the trade association of the asset-based lending and factoring industry, and will serve as its chairman in 2001.

Jack Pereira, who is heading UPS Capital's Payment Solutions, comes from Inacom Corp., where he was vice president, international, and regional general manager. He brings a wide array of international experience and expertise in technology solutions, finance, systems and restructuring. He also has held positions as director of corporate solutions for Cap Gemini; president of Hayden Industries; and vice president and CFO of Weldco-Beales Manufacturing. He also was a consultant with Ernst & Young and is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants.

UPS Capital Corp. is a wholly owned subsidiary of United Parcel Service. Its mission is to provide a comprehensive menu of integrated financial products and services that enable companies to maximize their supply chains to grow their business. UPS Capital is based in Atlanta, Ga., and resides on the Web at www.upscapital.com. For more information, contact 404-828-8385.

Except for historical information contained herein, the statements made in this release constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such forward-looking statements involve certain risks and uncertainties, including statements regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of UPS and its management regarding the company's strategic directions, prospects and future results. Certain factors may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements, including our competitive environment, economic and other conditions in the markets in which we operate, strikes, work stoppages and slowdowns, governmental regulation, increases in aviation and motor fuel prices, cyclical and seasonal fluctuations in our operating results, and other risks discussed in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which discussions are incorporated herein by reference.

CONTACT: UPS Capital
Irene Moore,
404/828-6571
imoore@ups.com

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Top Model Cars Leased Over the Internet

LeaseCompare.com Releases Top 10 New Car Model Lease Requests for October 2000

CINCINNATI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 16, 2000--Automobile Consumer Services, Inc. (ACS), a pioneer in online direct-to-consumer auto leasing, today released a list of the top 10 most requested vehicles last month from its popular auto leasing website LeaseCompare.com (http://www.leasecompare.com).

The list is based on more than 6,800 quote requests submitted in October 2000 to the LeaseCompare.com leasing service. LeaseCompare.com is the first auto-leasing marketplace that enables consumers to compare auto lease payments in real-time from multiple lenders and apply for credit online.

The Top 10 Most Requested Models

--------------------------------

October September
Ranking Ranking
Honda Accord 1 2
Chevrolet Corvette 2 1
BMW 5 Series 3 6
Audi A4 4 7
Porsche Boxster 5 5
Mercedes C Class 6 NL
BMW 330 7 3
Volkswagen Passat 8 NL
Volkswagen Jetta 9 8
Acura TL 10 NL

NL - Cars that did not make the September Top 10 List Cars that made the September list, but dropped off the Top 10 in October included the Lexus RX300 (No. 4 in Sept), Mercedes E-Class (No. 9 in Sept), and Jeep Grand Cherokee (No. 10 in Sept).

"The Accord and Corvette continue to battle for first place with the Accord winning the No. 1 spot in this month's Top Ten List," said Tarry Shebesta, President of ACS. "These cars have a naturally higher residual which makes them favorable for leasing by providing a lower monthly payment compared to cars of similar cost."

About Automobile Consumer Services, Inc. (ACS)

Automobile Consumer Services, Inc. (ACS) is the web's leading automotive service provider. Founded in 1989, ACS is an unbiased, comprehensive car buying and auto leasing service that negotiates competitive prices and lease deals for consumers and small to medium-sized businesses. ACS was the web's first car-buying service, pioneering the "Buyer's Agent" approach with its flagship website, American CarBuying Service (www.acscorp.com). ACS has served as "Buyer's Agent" for more than 6,000 individuals, saving them time, money, and the considerable hassle associated with buying a new car.

CONTACT: Automobile Consumer Services, Inc.
Tarry Shebesta,
513/527-7700 ext 11
press@acscorp.com
KEYWORD: OHIO

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Here is Silicon Valley, "Dotcomers" pay $5,000 and $10,000 above Retail for PT Cruisers,plus wait six months for delivery......

DaimlerChrysler Short on PT Cruisers
By JUSTIN HYDE
.c The Associated Press

DETROIT (AP) - DaimlerChrysler AG has warned its dealers that it can't build enough 2001 Chrysler PT Cruisers to meet all the orders customers have made.

An undetermined number of people who have ordered one of the retro-styled hatchbacks - some of whom paid hundreds of dollars as a deposit - might have to wait until the middle of next year to get one and pay next year's prices.

The automaker's inability to keep up with demand for PT Cruisers could damage relations with buyers Chrysler was hoping would be repeat customers in years to come. It also could mar what has been its one unqualified success in a year of troubles.

DaimlerChrysler warned dealers of the shortfall in a memo sent earlier this month, saying it would tell dealers by Dec. 1 how many 2001 PT Cruisers they would get through summer of 2001 ``to assist with managing customer expectations.'' The memo said customers whose orders are not built before then would be charged whatever price the 2002 model carries.

The PT Cruiser factory in Toluca, Mexico, will build about 120,000 PT Cruisers this model year, with 20,000 slated for export to foreign markets. In August, DaimlerChrysler said it already had 100,000 orders.

The company also has ordered hundreds of U.S. executives leasing PT Cruisers under a corporate plan to give them up for sale to dealers as slightly used ``program cars,'' and barred executives from leasing new PT Cruisers.

DaimlerChrysler spokesman Dominick Infante said he could not estimate how many customers with orders might not get a PT Cruiser, or how many orders the company has in its system now.

``There's a limit to what we can build, and that's the issue we're facing,'' Infante said. ``We realize there are more people who want PTs than we can build.''

To help meet demand, the company is ramping up production at a plant in Austria and trying to increase output at Toluca.

Infante said it would be up to dealers to explain that orders are not filled on a first-come, first-served basis. DaimlerChrysler allots PT Cruisers based mainly on a dealership's past record of Chrysler sales - a common auto industry practice. Dealers who sell more Chryslers and sell their allotments faster get more vehicles.

Some customer complained that system seemed arbitrary.

``It has been difficult knowing there are tens of thousands of people driving their car for several months knowing they ordered several months after I did,'' said Pat Corkery, a stockbroker in Anchorage, Alaska, who ordered a PT in February and is set to receive one in January. ``There's no logical explanation for an allocation system that delivers cars to some people in 10 weeks and some in 10 months.''

The PT Cruiser was aimed at luring a new class of buyers to Chrysler, especially younger owners or import buyers who had not considered buying a Chrysler in the past. It has provided a welcome bit of good news for the Chrysler unit, which has suffered in a fiercely competitive market. The unit posted a loss of $512 million in the third quarter, and reports have emerged that the head of the Chrysler division will be ousted Friday.

But the model's popularity appeared to catch DaimlerChrysler completely off guard. Buyers have formed owners' clubs and spawned a small industry in add-ons. Some customers follow their order through the company's computer system, into the build schedule and even track the rail cars and truck transports that carry PT Cruisers from the factory to their dealership.

But the backlog in orders has tempered the enthusiasm of some would-be customers.

James Vernon, an aircraft mechanic from Indianapolis, ordered his PT Cruiser on March 7. Judy Goering, a planner for a utility company in Nebraska City, Neb., ordered her PT Cruiser on April 4. Neither has been told when their orders would be built.

Vernon put down a $500 deposit to hold his order, and said being told it wouldn't be delivered until next year - and at a different price - would make him rethink the deal.

``I would probably tell them I would like my deposit back, and I would go to another manufacturer,'' he said. ``To me, that's inexcusable.''

Goering was told she would get a PT Cruiser in June or July, but the deadline has slipped every month since then. If Goering can't get a 2001, ``I might cancel my order, and I'll never buy a DaimlerChrysler product again,'' she said.

Dealers say the PT Cruiser is still selling well, but hope customers will forgive the hassle of getting one. Alan Helfman, general manager of River Oaks Chrysler-Plymouth Jeep in Houston said he had about 300 orders for PT Cruisers, and knew several other dealers with long waiting lists. Helfman said telling customers that their PT Cruisers wouldn't arrive until the middle of next year might cause a few cancellations, but not a flood.

``I'm hoping a lot of people will stay with me, because if worse comes to worst they'll get a 2002,'' he said. As for having a car that sells itself, he adds, ``Every squirrel deserves to have an acorn once in a while.''

On the Net: http://www.daimlerchrysler.com

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Early News of Major Changes Happening in Paying Bills/Banking/Leasing on the Internet

Marshall & Ilsley Corporation Purchases a License UnderThe Ronald A. Katz Technology Licensing, L.P. Patents

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- It was announced today that Marshall & Ilsley Corporation (M&I) based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin has acquired a license under the patent portfolio held by Ronald A. Katz Technology Licensing, L.P.

The license covers services provided by Marshall& Ilsley companies to their customers including automated forms of: Telephone Banking and Bill Payment and Credit Card Activation. In addition, the license covers telephone based Vehicle Registration service provided through State Departments of Transportation to their customers. Other terms of the license were not disclosed.

The 40 United States patents held by Ronald A. Katz Technology Licensing, L.P., and numerous foreign equivalents, cover a wide range of interactive technology including automated forms of: customer service, merchandising, prepaid services, telephone conferences, registration, home shopping, as well as functions involved in securing information from databases by telephone, interactive cable transactions, and various other uses of 800, 900 and local numbers. More than 15 additional patents are currently pending in this portfolio.

According to Michael A. Hatfield, Senior Vice President, Marshall & Ilsley "After an extensive study of the Katz Patents, we recognize the significance of these license rights in implementing and enhancing M&I's various services."

Ronald A. Katz, chief executive of Ronald A. Katz Technology Licensing, L.P. added "We are very pleased to welcome M&I to the increasing list of companies who have purchased license rights under this portfolio. M&I is now licensed to implement new cost saving technologies which will increase customer convenience and security."

A large number of companies are licensed under the Katz portfolio, they include American Express, AT&T Corp., First Data Corporation (including its call-handling unit, Call Interactive), Home Shopping Network Inc., International Business Machines (IBM), Microsoft, MoneyGram Payment Systems Inc., NextLink Interactive, Sprint, Tele-Communications Inc. (TCI, now known as AT&T Broadband), The Gallup Organization, Universal Card Services Corp., West Interactive Corporation, and WorldCom Inc.

Mr. Katz is the named inventor on over 50 patents primarily in the fields of telecommunications and computing. He formed Telecredit, Inc. the nation's first on-line real time credit and check cashing authorization system, and was awarded a patent as co-inventor of that technology.

Marshall & Ilsley Corporation is a multibank holding company headquartered in Milwaukee, Wis. with $25.2 billion in assets. The Corporation has 26 banks serving the state from more than 200 offices, one bank in Phoenix, Ariz. with 13 offices and one bank in Nevada with offices located in Illinois and Florida. In addition, the holding company owns and operates 49 offices throughout the country that provide trust and investment management, equipment leasing, mortgage banking, financial planning, investments, insurance and data processing.

SOURCE Ronald A. Katz Technology Licensing, L.P
CO: Ronald A. Katz Technology Licensing, L.P.; Marshall & Ilsley Corporation
ST: California

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Sterling Bancorp's Effective Annual Dividend Increased 26%

NEW YORK, Nov. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Sterling Bancorp (NYSE: STL), parent company of Sterling National Bank, today declared a 10% stock dividend and increased its quarterly cash dividend to $0.16 per common share, an increase of $0.02 per common share. The stock dividend will be payable on December 11, 2000, to shareholders of record on December 1, 2000. The cash dividend will be payable on December 31, 2000, to shareholders of record on December 15, 2000. This is the ninth increase in the Company's cash dividend since 1994 and the 220th consecutive quarterly cash dividend paid by the Company and its predecessors since it became a public corporation in 1946.

Louis J. Cappelli, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said, "At Sterling, we are committed to delivering shareholder value and sharing our financial success with shareholders. Today, we are pleased to announce that our continued strong performance, marked by 29 consecutive quarters of double digit earnings increases, has allowed us to fulfill this commitment to our shareholders by increasing the effective annual dividend by 26%."

Sterling Bancorp (NYSE: STL) is a banking and financial services company with assets of $1.2 billion. Its principal banking subsidiary is Sterling National Bank, founded in 1929. Sterling provides a wide range of products and services, including commercial lending, asset-based finance, factoring/accounts receivable management, international trade financing, commercial and residential mortgage lending, equipment leasing, trust and estate administration and investment management services. Sterling has operations in the metropolitan New York and Washington, DC areas, as well as Virginia and other mid-Atlantic states and conducts business throughout the U.S. More information is available on the company's Website, http://www.sterlingbancorp.com.

This press release may contain, and from time to time the Company's management may make, statements which may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are not historical facts but instead are subject to numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties and represent only the Company's belief regarding future events, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside of its control. Any forward-looking statements the Company may make speak only as of the date on which such statements are made. It is possible that the Company's actual results and financial position may differ, possibly materially, from the anticipated results and financial condition indicated in or implied by these forward-looking statements.

References in this press release to a 26% increase in the effective annual dividend are forward-looking statements. The actual amounts of dividends in 2001 and later years will depend on the Company's future results of operations and financial condition. Important factors that could cause the Company's actual results to differ, possibly materially, from those in or implied by the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the following: inflation, interest rates, market and monetary fluctuations; the effects of, and changes in, trade, monetary and fiscal policies and laws, including interest rate policies of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve; a decline in general economic conditions and the strength of the local economies in which the Company operates; competitive pressures on loan and deposit pricing and demand; changes in technology and their impact on the marketing of products and services; the timely development and effective marketing of competitive new products and services and the acceptance of these products and services by new and existing customers; the willingness of customers to substitute competitors' products and services for the Company's products and services; the impact of changes in financial services' laws and regulations (including laws concerning taxes, banking, securities and insurance); changes in accounting principles, policies and guidelines; and the success of the Company at managing the risks involved in the foregoing. The foregoing list of important factors is not exclusive, and the Company will not update forward-looking statements, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time.

SOURCE Sterling Bancorp
CO: Sterling Bancorp
ST: New York ü 5 st