Reynolds and Reynolds Announces Integration of CreditMaster and CreditConnection Services

    DAYTON, Ohio--Dec. 14, 2001--The Reynolds and Reynolds Company

    Result is More Customer-Friendly Financing Process

    In a move that will speed the automotive financing process and boost finance and insurance profits for automotive retailers, The Reynolds and Reynolds Company today announced the integration of its CreditMaster(R) credit reporting service with Credit Online's CreditConnection(R) service.
    CreditConnection is a real-time, online lending service providing access to more than 25 lending institutions and captive finance companies.
    "The integration of these two industry-leading F&I-related services will improve the car-buying experience for consumers by creating a faster and smoother financing process," said Christopher Morris, director, Reynolds e-Transactions. "CreditMaster provides retailers with a comprehensive picture of the consumer's credit history, while CreditConnection delivers a financing decision to automotive retailers almost instantly.
    "The combination of these two services represents a significant competitive advantage to automotive retailers since it saves time and provides new analytical tools that aid in the financing decision process," he added.
    Reynolds' CreditMaster service offers dealerships control and flexibility as they seek to identify the most favorable consumer credit report. It provides immediate access to one, two or all three of the national credit bureaus in a single transaction. Completely integrated with the Reynolds ERA(R) dealer management system, CreditMaster's easy-to-read format is user-friendly and eliminates the need to cross-check multiple credit reports.
    The Credit Online CreditConnection service delivers financing decisions that can improve both profitability and productivity for dealership F&I departments. CreditConnection also includes tools that manage F&I workflow and deliver strategic information to help the dealership better manage its lender relationships.
    Morris said that automotive retailers in some areas re-contract as many as 15 percent of the cars that they spot deliver. Each re-contracting costs the retailer about $300.
    "The integration of CreditMaster and CreditConnection reduces the risks associated with spot deliveries by minimizing re-contracting," Morris said. "The benefits to automotive retailers through improved F&I profits and higher customer satisfaction are compelling."
    Credit Online is the e-commerce subsidiary of First American CMSI. The company credit-enables business-to-business transactions through its Internet gateway and its patented CreditConnection technology, which links credit originators -- such as automobile dealers -- and borrowers with leading prime and nonprime lenders throughout the U.S. and Canada. Headquartered in Annapolis Junction, Md., First American CMSI has been the premier end-to-end credit automation solutions provider, including Internet-based online lending and leasing technology, since the company's inception in 1987. First American CMSI also licenses credit-decisioning systems for consumer and business credit that have been the choice of North America's largest and most demanding lending institutions. For more information, visit the Web site at www.cmsinc.com.
    Reynolds and Reynolds, headquartered in Dayton, Ohio, is the leading provider of integrated information management solutions to the automotive retailing marketplace. The company's services include a full range of retail and enterprise management systems, networking and support, e-business applications, Web services, learning and consulting services, customer relationship management solutions, document management and leasing services. To find out more about the company, its vision, products and services, visit www.reyrey.com.
    Certain statements in this news release constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections of future company or industry performance based on management's judgment, beliefs, current trends and market conditions. Forward-looking statements made or to be made by or on behalf of the company may be identified by the use of words such as "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "believes," "seeks," "estimates" and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed, forecasted or implied in the forward-looking statements. See also the discussion of factors that may affect future results contained in the company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on August 7, 2001, which we incorporate herein by reference. The company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.