Bankrate Puts Some Vroom in Your Car-Buying Decision With its New ''Car Buying Guide''

    NEW YORK--Oct. 8, 2002--Bankrate.com, the leading online resource for consumer financial rates and information (OTCBB:RATE) today announced the launch of its new Car Buying Guide, a special feature section offering a comprehensive selection of auto content. "This new feature section covers areas such as car selection, finance, insurance, what to do after the deal and fun facts," explains Daniel Ray, Bankrate's Editor. "You can do serious car-shopping -- and find out what J. Lo and Madonna drive."
    "It's a well-timed launch," continues Ray. "The new car models are hitting the showrooms and car shopping/financing is a pressing topic on consumers' minds this time of year.
    "We took one of our existing major product channels and fleshed it out in detail. It's an obvious extension of our expertise and another great resource we can now offer to our users."
    Bankrate.com also launched the "Race Like Richard Petty" sweepstakes in tandem with the Car Buying Guide in which 2 grand prize winners will receive a Richard Petty Driving Experience "Racing Experience" program. "We're offering this sweepstakes in conjunction with the Car Buying Guide for added excitement," states Beth Planakis, Director of Marketing. "Prize winners will have the chance to race 80 laps over 1 1/2 days, and will receive instruction on refining their driving line, building speed, and side-by-side driving." Each prize is valued at $2,399. For more information or to enter the sweepstakes, visit: http://www.bankrate.com/RacingSweeps.
    "We're proud of the new Car Buying Guide," says Ray. It's a good-looking section that's functional, fun and fact-filled. Stay tuned for more upcoming special feature sections."
    To visit Bankrate.com's Car Buying Guide, visit: http://www.bankrate.com/CarGuide

    About Bankrate Inc.

    Bankrate Inc. (OTCBB:RATE) owns and operates Bankrate.com, the Internet's leading consumer banking marketplace. Bankrate averages 3.3 million unique visitors per month, according to comScore Media Metrix, which ranks Bankrate first in unique visitors in the "Financial information and advice" category. Bankrate.com reviews more than 4,800 financial institutions in 173 markets in 50 states. Bankrate.com is a destination site of personal finance channels, including banking, investing, taxes and small business finance. It is the leading aggregator of over 100 financial products, including mortgages, credit cards, new and used auto loans, money market accounts and CDs, checking and ATM fees, home equity loans and online banking fees.
    Bankrate.com provides financial applications and information to a network of more than 80 partners including MSN , Yahoo! , America Online , and Smart Money. Bankrate.com's information is also distributed through more than 100 national and state publications.