<http://www.chockstone.com/media/CS_PR_Peppercoin.htm> FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: Janet Johnson Chockstone, Inc. Phone: 503.807.8964 Email: janet@chockstone.com FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Chockstone Acquires Peppercoin, Strengthens Its Leading Position in Real-Time Loyalty Marketing Programs for the Restaurant and Convenience Store Industries Portland, Ore. - April 16, 2007 - Chockstone Inc., provider of the world's most innovative customer loyalty marketing programs and stored value solutions, today announced that it has acquired Peppercoin, a provider of card-based merchant loyalty programs and related consulting and analytical services. Peppercoin's PCI-compliant services are used by leading restaurant brands to tie customer loyalty programs to credit and debit cards at the point of sale. Both companies are privately-held, and financial terms of the Peppercoin transaction were not disclosed. "This is a strategic acquisition for Chockstone," said Jeffrey Lipp, CEO and President of Chockstone. "Peppercoin's focus on delivering targeted offers to credit and debit card customers to increase frequency for restaurant companies is a perfect fit with our business. We're fortunate to strengthen and extend our loyalty marketing capabilities with Peppercoin's innovative and proven services." "There is a lot of talk about loyalty marketing services in the processing industry, but Chockstone is the only company that has delivered on the promise of loyalty on a national scale," said Mark Friedman, CEO of Peppercoin. "Combining our portfolios of business and highly complementary technology creates an unbeatable offering for merchants seeking to improve profitability through loyalty and rewards programs." Peppercoin: Easy Enrollment, Real-time Rewards and Reports Peppercoin gives merchants secure access to their customers' payments data - the most relevant and important customer behavioral data - so they can increase the effectiveness of their loyalty programs based on the analysis Peppercoin's platform provides. Consumers can enroll in a Peppercoin-driven loyalty program with a single swipe of their credit or debit card. And with real-time reporting and customer analytics tools, merchants using the Peppercoin system are able to fine-tune offers based on business needs and consumer response. Chockstone: Driving Effective Loyalty Marketing Programs, Enhancing Services More than 30,000 retail locations are currently using Chockstone's loyalty marketing, gift card and payment programs worldwide, with the market for additional loyalty services continuing to grow. Chockstone's restaurant, convenience store and retail loyalty programs have proven to: * Increase consumer 'stickiness' and brand affinity * Increase sales and profitability between 8% and 14% * Increase average ticket price more than 12% In addition to this acquisition, Chockstone has recently announced several major upgrades to its loyalty marketing platform, including a 'do it yourself' Promotions Manager for marketers to launch and manage their own loyalty programs; and Receipt and RespondTM, a receipt-based, national advertising network that delivers targeted ads at the point of sale. About Chockstone Chockstone provides the most innovative personalization, loyalty marketing and stored value solutions available to merchants today. Chockstone's programs are used by leading brands like Subway, Ticketmaster and Plaid Pantry Stores in the restaurant, retail, and convenience store markets to increase consumer loyalty and drive profitability. Headquartered in Portland, Ore., Chockstone, Inc. is a privately-held corporation. To learn more about Chockstone's products and services, visit www.chockstone.com. ### -- ----------------- R. A. Hettinga <mailto: rah@ibuc.com> The Internet Bearer Underwriting Corporation <http://www.ibuc.com/> 44 Farquhar Street, Boston, MA 02131 USA "... however it may deserve respect for its usefulness and antiquity, [predicting the end of the world] has not been found agreeable to experience." -- Edward Gibbon, 'Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire'