DealerTrack and Credit Online Complete Transaction; CreditConnection Network to Be Merged into DealerTrack; DMS Connectivity Now Available to 20,000-Plus Dealers

    MELVILLE, N.Y.--March 20, 2003--DealerTrack, Inc., a technology services company enabling finance transactions between automobile dealers and lenders through its DealerTrack(TM) platform, today announced the completion of its transaction with Credit Online, Inc., a subsidiary of First American Credit Management Solutions, Inc. (CMSI).
    The transaction, initially announced in late January, was officially closed on March 19th.
    Both DealerTrack and Credit Online's CreditConnection(R) are Web-based platforms that link automotive dealers with multiple funding sources throughout the United States CreditConnection also services dealerships in Canada, and features connectivity to several top dealer management systems (DMS).
    Executives from both companies expect the combined platform to bring significant advantages to the auto finance industry - including direct DMS connectivity for more dealers, and lower overall operating costs for lenders participating on the platform.
    Mark F. O'Neil, DealerTrack president and CEO, said, "The close of our transaction with Credit Online is the culmination of a tremendous amount of teamwork on the part of both companies. We've already forged a strong and effective working relationship. All of us are now eager to move forward quickly on the integration, so we can bring dealer and lender customers of DealerTrack and CreditConnection the best that both platforms have to offer."
    "I share Mark's excitement over the completion of this transaction," said Howard L. Tischler, president and CEO of CMSI. "Everyone at Credit Online and CMSI stands behind the rapid integration of the CreditConnection and DealerTrack platforms. I personally look forward to ensuring that those lenders currently participating on CreditConnection have a fast and seamless transition onto the newly combined DealerTrack platform."

    Key Benefits for Dealers / Lenders

    DealerTrack will immediately begin the process of merging functionality of CreditConnection into its own DealerTrack platform, which ultimately will become the primary interface for customers of both companies. Existing DealerTrack management will operate the combined platform from its Melville, New York headquarters.
    "Direct connectivity into top dealer management systems is something that our dealer customers have been asking for," said O'Neil. "Eliminating the need for double entry of customer data between DealerTrack and a dealership's DMS is a major advantage that will go a long way toward streamlining work flow. Based on the strong response we received from dealers as they learned that this functionality was on the way, we expect significant demand for DMS integration from our customer base."
    DealerTrack currently serves more than 19,000 franchise and independent dealers - a number that will rise to more than 20,000 with the addition of the CreditConnection dealer base. In addition to DMS connectivity, the combination of the two platforms will offer dealer customers a wider array of funding options as lenders now connected to CreditConnection are linked into DealerTrack. While the final number of combined lender participants has not yet been determined, executives from both companies estimate that it will be above 40.
    The ability to link with and support one combined platform is expected to lower overall operational costs for lender participants, as well as increase the overall efficiency of the financing process.

    About DealerTrack:

    With over 19,000 dealers and 23 lenders currently connected, DealerTrack is North America's premier independent Web-based platform that automates and accelerates the entire dealer-to-lender relationship, from financing to daily information sharing. The DealerTrack platform enables application processing, credit bureau access, electronic contracting and lease comparisons - all in one easy-to-use, integrated solution. More information on DealerTrack is available at www.dealertrack.com or by calling 877-357-8725.

    About First American CMSI:

    Since it was founded in 1987, CMSI has been a premier provider of end-to-end credit automation solutions, including Internet-based online lending and leasing technology. The company's credit origination systems for consumer and business credit have been the choice of many of North America's largest lending institutions and other organizations for automating the processing and decisioning of all types of consumer credit. For more information, visit www.cmsinc.com or call 800-970-0619.

    About The First American Corporation:

    The First American Corporation, a Fortune 500 company and the nation's leading diversified provider of business information, supplies businesses and consumers with the information resources that affect the major economic events of people's lives, such as getting a job; renting an apartment; buying a car, house, boat or airplane; securing a mortgage; opening or buying a business; and planning for retirement. The First American Family of Companies, many of which command leading market share positions in their respective industries, operate within seven primary business segments including: Title Insurance and Services, Specialty Insurance, Trust and Other Services, Mortgage Information, Property Information, Credit Information and Screening Information. With revenues of $4.70 billion in 2002, First American has nearly 25,000 employees in approximately 1,400 offices throughout the United States and abroad. More information about the company and an archive of its press releases can be found at www.firstam.com.