NETSHIFT Chosen as the front end public proof browser for the first dedicated = internet building society branch in the UK NATIONWIDE UNVEILS NEW "ONLINE BRANCH" IN GUILDFORD

Following the successful launch of the first UK online banking service over = the Internet, Nationwide, the world's largest building society, has opened a = high tech "online branch" in Guildford, Surrey. The new branch, the first = of its kind in the UK, contains a range of advanced services, all of which = are available free of charge. Visitors to the branch are able to access the = Internet, use Nationwide's innovative touch-screen information service - = Interact, and use Nationwide's Self Service machine, which enables = transactions to be carried out on either card or passbook accounts.

The new branch, at 76 North Street, Guildford, Surrey, has been developed to = complement the Society's main branch at 32-34 High Street, Guildford. The = design of the new branch will give those who do not have access to the = Internet the opportunity to try Nationwide's Online Banking service, as well = as helping them become more familiar with the Internet. The presence of = Nationwide's award-winning Interact and Self Service systems at the branch = ensures that customers have access to a selection of highly innovative and = useful services which can be used to carry out daily transactions.

Stuart Bernau, Nationwide's retail operations director, said: "The new = branch is an exciting development which represents an excellent opportunity = for our customers and the local community in Guildford to use this = innovative technology and learn more about the Internet, free of charge, in = a welcoming environment. Feedback from visitors to the branch will be very = useful in helping us to further develop our services in a way that will best = suit our customers' needs.

"As a customer owned organisation, we are totally committed to providing our = customers with the highest levels of service. Nationwide has not only = become the first organisation in the UK to offer its customers an online = banking service over the Internet, it is also the first to have such a wide = range of technologically advanced services under one roof. As well as = offering a highly competitive range of products and services, we are also = leading the way in providing new, useful, and innovative ways for our = customers to do business with us - further proof that customers are better = off with Nationwide Building Society."

A demonstration of the service is available on the Internet at = http://www.nationwide.co.uk

Nationwide has over 6 million savers and over 1 million borrowers. It is = estimated that around 1 in 4 households in the UK have a financial = relationship with Nationwide.

Regards Kevin O'Keeffe, FinstSMM A: Daw Systems Ltd, All Cannings Cross, Devizes, Wilts, SN10 3NP, UK T: +44 (0)1380 860 485=20 F: +44 (0)1380 727 911 E: [email protected] W: www.internet-kiosk.com Kevins Home Office=20 T/F: +44 (0)1249 758 129 =20