Liberty Online Reaches 100 Credit Union Customer Milestone

Company is one of the fastest growing Web site development and hosting services provider

Charlotte, N.C. - Liberty Online^SM, one of the fastest growing Internet service providers for credit unions, has commemorated its 100th-customer milestone.

Sharonview Federal Credit Union in Charlotte, N.C., was recently honored as Liberty Online's 100th customer. John Carlson, Sharonview FCU president & CEO, said the decision to launch a Web site was based on the desire to retain its 37,000 members.

"Having a Web site is a necessity as far as financial services are concerned for the future," said Carlson. "There is a segment of our membership that wants to do business on the Internet. If you can't provide this service, they will take their business elsewhere."

Sharonview FCU chose Liberty Online because of its product value.

"The quality is worth the investment," explained Carlson. "They are helping us build our site, and they are getting it ready in a timely manner. Plus, they offer us the flexibility to control the content of our site from the credit union."

Liberty Online is marking its 100th customer only one year after opening its doors. According to Liberty Online President Keith Hillestad, the company focuses exclusively on meeting credit union business objectives by providing them with affordable tools and services that make the Internet an integral part of their strategies.

"We are absolutely thrilled to be serving so many customers in our first year of operation and to be serving such fine organizations like Sharonview FCU," said Hillestad. "More than anything, this early success validates our product concept and business model, which we believe are unique in the industry."

Sharonview FCU plans to begin testing its new Web site in November. The site, www.sharonview.org, is scheduled for launch in early 2000.

Liberty Online is part of the growing Liberty family of credit union-focused companies. Recognized as the credit union movement's leading provider of payment systems and marketing services, Liberty serves nearly 4,500 credit unions in all 50 states, Guam and Puerto Rico.

For more information, contact Rick Foy, Liberty public relations manager, at 800-607-2435, ext. 2436.