Microsoft and Access Softek Align to Simplify Financial Data Transfer

REDMOND, Wash., and BERKELEY, Calif., Aug. 23, 2002 — Microsoft Corp. and Access Softek Inc. today announced the companies’ joint effort to produce and deliver the Converter for Quicken® files within Microsoft®
Money 2003, the award-winning personal finance software brand. With the converter tool from Access Softek, consumers can quickly and easily transfer their personal finance data from Quicken into Money 2003. 1

The conversion tool is a result of the most recent collaboration between Microsoft and Access Softek, which have worked together for more than a decade on a variety of projects, including wireless, PDA and Open Financial Exchange (OFX) connectivity. With the Converter for Quicken files, Access Softek helps Microsoft ensure that consumers’ important financial data, including account registers, portfolio information and more, is imported into Money 2003.

“Microsoft continues to work with Access Softek because of its financial technology expertise and its ability to create effective solutions for our products,”
said Karen Redetzki, product manager for Microsoft Money at Microsoft.
“With Access Softek’s sophisticated converter, consumers can easily switch to Money 2003 and trust that their financial data will be imported quickly and securely.”

“Access Softek values the long-term client relationship it shares with Microsoft,”
said Chris Doner, president and CEO of Access Softek.
“We are dedicated to providing companies such as Microsoft with the financial technology software solutions they need to meet the needs of their customers.”

Upon using the converter tool, former users of Quicken can immediately take advantage of new and enhanced features in Money 2003, designed to help them organize their day-to-day finances and better manage their long-term financial plans. Money 2003 further simplifies personal financial management with valuable premium services at no additional cost, 2 including free online bill pay from the MSN®
network of Internet services, free online tax filing from H & R Block, a free credit report and ongoing monitoring from Equifax Inc., and a free consultation with an American Express financial adviser.

Pricing and Availability

Microsoft Money 2003 Standard is available at an estimated retail price 3 of $34.95 (U.S.) with a $10 rebate; Money 2003 Deluxe is available for an estimated retail price of $64.95 (U.S.) with a $20 rebate; Money 2003 Deluxe & Business is available at an estimated retail price of $84.95 (U.S.) with a $20 rebate; and Money 2003 Suite: Finance, Tax & Legal is available at an estimated retail price of $94.95 (U.S.) with a $20 rebate. To order Money 2003, consumers can visit http://www.microsoft.com/money/ or a local retailer, or call (888) 218-5617.

About the Microsoft Home Products Division

The Microsoft Home Products Division is a leading publisher of home software for the PC. Celebrating Microsoft’s 20 years of delivering products that make life work better, the Microsoft Home Products Division brings consumers Microsoft Encarta®
Reference Library 2003, from the industry’s best-selling 4 encyclopedia brand; Microsoft Picture It!®
Digital Image Pro version 7.0, which combines advanced photograph editing features with unparalleled ease of use; personal finance management made easy with Microsoft Money; and the latest version of the best-selling 4 integrated home productivity software Microsoft Works Suite 2003, which offers six of the latest essential home software titles in one package for tremendous value. Used with the MSN network of Internet services, these products have a unique depth and mobility that allow users to take their PC experience even further.

About Access Softek

Since 1984, Access Softek Inc. has provided software development solutions to leading financial technology companies in the United States, Europe and Asia including Microsoft, H & R Block and others. Access Softek (a member of BITS, FSTC and the OFX Vendor committee) is a privately held, California-based company that is home to a team of highly skilled designers, artists, developers and testers working out of the company’s Berkeley headquarters. Additional information is available at http://www.accesssoftek.com/ .

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.

1 The converter in the U.S. version of Money 2003 will convert files from Quicken U.S. versions 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 and Quicken 2002.

2 Certain offer restrictions and associated fees apply to financial services offers. See Money packaging for offer details.

3 Actual retail prices and rebate availability vary. Certain rebate offer restrictions apply. See packaging for offer details.

4 Source: NPDTechworldSM, October 1998–May 2002. Based on total U.S. retail sales.

Microsoft, MSN, Encarta and Picture It! are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.

Intuit and Quicken are registered trademarks and/or registered service marks of Intuit Inc., or one of its subsidiaries, in the United States and other countries.

The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

Note to editors: If you are interested in viewing additional information on Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft Web page at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/ on Microsoft’s corporate information pages. Web links, telephone numbers and titles were correct at time of publication, but may since have changed. For additional assistance, journalists and analysts may contact Microsoft’s Rapid Response Team or other appropriate contacts listed at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/contactpr.asp .

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