AT&T Announces New Contract with Genesis Financial Solutions; Financial Services Specialist Taps AT&T for Business Network Services

Under the terms of the two-year contract, AT&T will deliver AT&TBusiness Network (ABN) integrated services, and a multiprotocol labelswitching (MPLS) network solution, customized for disaster recoveryand data security.

Targeted toward midsize business customers, AT&T's ABN solutionbundles data, Internet, local, long distance and international voiceservices in a discounted package. ABN customers can make servicechanges and monitor network performance online.

MPLS enables creation of an IP virtual private network, thusassuring the privacy and integrity of data as it travels across thenetwork. Unique network ID labels are added to Genesis' data packetsas they enter the IP network and are removed as the data packets reachtheir destination -- where Genesis routers read the data.

The disaster recovery feature of the solution enables AT&T torecover data and voice service network elements for customers in theevent of a natural or man-made disaster. Using automated tools such asReal Time Network Routing (RTNR) and FASTAR(R) (fast automaticrestoration), AT&T's disaster recovery experts can routetelecommunications traffic around an affected area, providecommunications access to the affected area and ensure rapid recoveryof communications service through restoration and repair.

This solution not only provides increased network reliability andsecurity, but aligns with AT&T's customer-focused convergencestrategy, enabling Genesis Financial to seamlessly integrate futureapplications and communications services.

"We are excited about the flexibility offered by MPLS. It willallow us to quickly create connectivity with our external partners.When we add partners, office locations or disaster recovery sites inthe future, it will be much easier to integrate them with our existingnetwork," said Jim Snell, vice president of IT, Genesis FinancialSolutions.

About Genesis Financial Solutions

Genesis Financial Solutions, of Beaverton, Ore., is a privatelyheld diversified consumer financial services company that originatescredit card accounts and consumer loans across the credit spectrum.Genesis also acquires performing and nonperforming consumer debtportfolios. Genesis' growth is realized through establishingpartnerships with retailers, service providers and other lenders, aswell as through direct marketing to consumers. Senior management hasextensive consumer lending and banking experience, and bases decisionson sophisticated analytical systems and models. Learn more about thecompany by visiting the Web site at www.genesis-fs.com.

About the New AT&T

AT&T Inc. is one of the world's largest telecommunications holdingcompanies and is the largest in the United States. Operating globallyunder the AT&T brand, AT&T companies are recognized as the leadingworldwide providers of IP-based communications services to businessand as leading U.S. providers of high-speed DSL Internet, local andlong distance voice, and directory publishing and advertisingservices. AT&T Inc. holds a 60 percent ownership interest in CingularWireless, which is the No. 1 U.S. wireless services provider with morethan 54 million wireless customers. Additional information about AT&TInc. and AT&T products and services is available at www.TheNewATT.com.

(C) 2006 AT&T Knowledge Ventures. All rights reserved.Subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. provide products and servicesunder the AT&T brand.

For more information and detailed disclaimer information, pleasereview this announcement in the AT&T newsroom at www.sbc.com/newsroom.