March 18, 2002

STAR Systems® announced that they have contracted Lexcel Solutions®, Inc., the leader in developing testing technology and the provider of the STAR ISO TestSystem to incorporate STAR CHEK® and Triple DES functionality into the STAR ISO TestSystem.

STAR Systems, a Concord EFS, Inc. subsidiary, is a leading electronic payments network and an expert in secure, real-time electronic transactions. STAR processes more than 5.0 billion transactions a year via 6,200 participating financial institutions and more than 900,000 participating ATMs and retail locations.

The incorporation of STAR CHEK functionality into the new STAR ISO Test System release provides testing versatility and capability to members, thereby allowing STAR members faster implementation of the new products.

New Triple DES capabilities supports STAR’s upcoming encryption standard. Electronic payment networks are turning to triple DES to increase data security. The STAR ISO Test System release will continue to support DES while ready to assist in the conversion to Triple DES.

STAR System’s Executive Vice President, Jim McCarthy, noted “Lexcel has continuously added new functionality over the years at the request of STAR, which has enabled STAR members who test with Lexcel applications to certify new service offerings much quicker, and with significantly fewer complications.” Past research has indicated extensive time and expense saved.

Carl Kubitz, President of Lexcel Solutions noted that “Beyond standard compliance type testing, Lexcel’s TestSystem enable STAR System members to perform a multitude of issuer and acquirer testing scenarios on various aspects of their transaction systems.” Mr. Kubitz concluded that such testing capabilities enables members to reduce development cycle times and related testing costs, while increasing speed to market and testing resource productivity.