REDMOND, Wash., Aug. 21, 2001 — Microsoft Corp. today announced the release of Microsoft® Money 2002 Deluxe, Standard and Suite, the 10th anniversary versions of the company’s award-winning personal finance software. By combining powerful software and unprecedented Web integration, Money 2002 offers groundbreaking new tools that provide consumers with up-to-the-minute financial news and the latest personal finance data from their own accounts. Money 2002’s new Web-enabled features make this the easiest and most comprehensive money management system that Microsoft has ever offered.
Widely recognized by the media for its successful planning and analysis tools, Microsoft Money introduces more than 100 new and improved features in the 2002 version to help consumers save time and more easily manage their day-to-day finances. Financial accounts are automatically updated with the latest transaction detail, bill paying is faster and easier, and consumers can quickly view information from their Money files on the CNBC on MSN® Money Web site, helping them to make smarter, faster financial decisions, any time, anywhere.
“Money 2002 introduces technologies previously unavailable in financial management software,”
said Karen Redetzki, product manager for Microsoft Money.
“We’ve coupled the timeliness and accessibility of the Web with the power of software to help consumers manage their finances with even greater ease and efficiency. This integration of the Web and software not only demonstrates Microsoft’s leadership in the category, but provides consumers with the best financial management solutions available anywhere.”
Known for its ease of use and intuitive product design, Microsoft Money continues to offer leading tools and resources to conduct a wide range of financial activities — from balancing a checkbook to planning for retirement — all in one place. Money 2002 further personalizes guidance and information offered to consumers, helping them not only to manage their current finances, but also to achieve their future financial goals.
Smarter Financial Decision-Making With Help From the Web
Through its expanded integration with the Internet, Money 2002 offers consumers instant access to important news and information affecting their finances and investments. As a result, consumers can make more informed and timely financial decisions and take immediate action online. Specific Web-enabled enhancements in Money 2002 include these:
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MoneySide. This unique new feature represents an industry first. Serving as a personal assistant when consumers are shopping, banking or investing on the Web, MoneySide works seamlessly with the Internet to provide consumers with instant, secure access to relevant information from their Money files. As a result, consumers can make smarter, more informed decisions (e.g., deciding whether they can afford a new DVD player or how a new stock purchase would affect their portfolio) and take immediate action online.
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CNBC on MSN Money integration. Money 2002 connects to CNBC on MSN Money, Microsoft’s award-winning personal finance Web site, to provide real-time access to world-class investment news and commentary from CNBC, up-to-the-minute stock quotes and investing information, along with powerful financial tools and services from MSN. Consumers also can check their Money account data any time, anywhere through the MSN Money Web site or a Pocket PC, enabling quick, convenient access to their financial information when away from home.
Easy Day-to-Day Accounts Management
Money 2002 also draws on its expanded Internet integration to deliver advanced online banking and bill management. New tools automatically update account information to significantly reduce the time spent managing everyday money-related activities, including these:
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Online banking. Banking is easier than ever with Money 2002’s simplified online setup process and automatic account updates from approximately 1,000 financial institutions’ Web sites, which eliminate manual input.
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Background Banking. Offering consumers unprecedented, automatic access to current account balances and transaction detail, stock quotes, mortgage rates and more, Money now automatically connects to financial institutions to securely download the most recent information — even when Money is not open. This helps ensure that consumers always have their latest transactions, balances and pertinent information at their fingertips.
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Register Reconciliation. Accurately tracking spending can be challenging and time-consuming. Now consumers need not manually categorize transactions (e.g., by entering the words
“groceries,” “gasoline”
and
“child care”
) — the Register Reconciliation tool does it for them. With updates and transactions clearly marked and categorized, tracking is even easier and financial information is always up to date.
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Bill management. Money 2002 now provides one area for all bill-pay activities, from setting up and editing to payments and cancellations, facilitating faster setup and more convenient management.
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Bill setup and editing. With just three clicks, consumers can pay an individual bill or arrange for a series of recurring bills to be paid automatically. Consumers can also easily see when upcoming bills are due via the new interactive bill calendar, helping frequent travelers plan ahead and ensure that bills are paid when they are away from home.
Personalized Financial Experience
Because people’s financial needs vary, Money 2002 offers new personalized guidance and information to create a more relevant and useful money management experience. New and improved features include the following:
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Your Money home page. Now completely customizable, this home page provides a quick yet comprehensive snapshot of important money activities in one convenient place. Your Money allows consumers to personalize the content, features and functionality that are most important to them on their home page, such as Favorite Accounts, Priority To-Do Lists, Financial News and more.
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Advisor FYI and Priorities. Money 2002 provides more convenient access to its popular Advisor FYI™
personalized financial guidance and Priorities tools. Consumers now can receive a greater selection of specific, prescriptive tasks they can perform to make immediate progress in their designated financial areas and more personalized and automated guidance to help them reach their financial goals.
Pricing and Availability
Microsoft Money 2002 Standard is available at an estimated retail price of $34.95 (U.S.) with a $10 rebate;* Money 2002 Deluxe is available for an estimated retail price of $64.95 (U.S.) with a $20 rebate;* Money 2002 Suite: Finance, Tax & Legal is available at an estimated retail price of $94.95 (U.S.) with a $20 rebate;* and Money 2002 Deluxe & Business is scheduled to be available in October 2001 at an estimated retail price of $84.95 (U.S.) with a $20 rebate.*
Those wanting to order Money 2002 can visit http://www.microsoft.com/money/ or their local retailer or call (800) 218-5617.
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq
“MSFT”
) is the worldwide leader in software, services and Internet technologies for personal and business computing. The company offers a wide range of products and services designed to empower people through great software — any time, any place and on any device.
* Actual retail prices and rebates vary. Certain rebate offer restrictions apply. See packaging for offer details.
Microsoft, MSN and Advisor FYI are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.
The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.
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