PULSE EFT Association Posts Year of Remarkable Achievements

The networks impressive results were highlighted by a 26.5 percent growth in total transaction volume in 2003 over the previous year as well as a significant increase in membership. PULSE added 380 new members during the year in 41 different states, without benefit of merger or acquisition. The network realized an array of other notable achievements in 2003: -- An increase of 16.91 percent more ATM transactions than posted in 2002. -- Continued growth of PIN debit transactions at the point of sale, with 25.83 percent more transactions processed in 2003 than in 2002. -- An increase of 39.61 percent over the previous year in processing of signature debit transactions. -- Establishment of PULSEs own state-of-the-art data center and in-house switch in Houston, Texas and activation of dual processing capabilities in Dallas, Texas. -- Six all-time records for number of transactions in a single month in March, May, July, August, November and December. The December record was 37.04 percent above the activity in the same month in 2002. -- Introduction of a new stored value solution, PULSE Access, which has attracted widespread member interest. -- Addition of scores of major retail merchants to the payments system. The 2003 additions bring the number of POS terminals at retail locations nationwide to more than 3.2 million. -- Expanded participation in industry association activities with three new association endorsements and participation in more than 91 association tradeshows and conferences.