CheckFree Launches WebPay Service

ATLANTA, GA - CheckFree Corporation (Nasdaq: CKFR), the provider of financial e-commerce solutions and services, announced the general availability of the latest version of its CheckFree WebPay service. The new WebPay platform offers a natural language voice recognition service for electronic billing and payment (EBP) that integrates with other bill payment channels. The introduction of the new service gives CheckFree consumer service providers, such as banks, brokerage firms, credit unions, Internet portals and personal financial management software, the ability to provide anytime, anywhere bill payment access. CheckFree's suite of electronic billing and payment solutions includes interoperability across Web and voice-activated e-bill and payment functionality, integration with personal financial management software, such as Intuit Quicken and Microsoft Money, and Web-based bill payment services. Giving Consumers The Option To Pay How They Want, When they Want With CheckFree's latest WebPay service, consumer service providers can offer their customers the option of managing accounts with a choice of ways to access the service: on the web, through their PFM software, or over the phone. The new CheckFree PhonePay ("PhonePay") feature enables users to hear information about e-bills, such as payment amount and due date, and make payments by speaking into the phone. PhonePay utilizes natural speech recognition technology to provide customers with a secure, interactive experience. As with all of WebPay's interoperable channels, the history of payment made through PhonePay will be updated in real time in a customer's WebPay and PFM accounts. "The value of electronic billing and payment has always been increased convenience and control over monthly finances. With the latest release of CheckFree WebPay, we are freeing the consumer to access the service from their phone, computer or software or a combination of ways that work for them," said Marc Berkowitz, product manager for CheckFree. "No matter how a consumer wants to manage their monthly bills or payments, CheckFree is ensuring that our customers are positioned to meet ever-evolving consumer demand for convenience." Other features of the new CheckFree PhonePay offering include: ·Pay Anyone, Anytime, Anywhere --With the interoperable service, users can securely pay anyone from their home phone or while they are on the road. This includes any large or small merchant or individual that is already set up in their primary, "pay anyone" bill payment service. ·Automatic Synchronization -- Bills paid via PhonePay are automatically synchronized with consumers' existing Web-based account, so there is no chance of missing an entry. It is then ready to be downloaded into their personal financial management software-such as Microsoft Money or Intuit Quicken. ·Natural Language Interface - PhonePay's natural language recognition feature adapts to an individual's speech and language patterns. By using PhonePay, consumers can avoid touch-tone limbo by giving verbal commands to pay their bills. ·Total Control -- Consumers have complete control over everything from how much they pay to when they want their bill paid. Repeating payment schedules can be set up, and individual payments can be scheduled for up to a year in advance. ·Security -- Access to PhonePay is secure and requires users to authenticate themselves with identifying information, including a password. All payments are backed by the CheckFree Guarantee against late fees resulting from processing delays, as well as liability for unauthorized transactions.