VANCOUVER, B.C., Dec. 17, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- Stockgroup Information Systems Inc., (OTCBB:SWEB) (TSX Venture Exchange:SWB) a financial media and technology company and Credential Direct announced that through a number of new initiatives including the implementation of Stockgroup's expanded financial software and content offering to Credential Direct, Credential Direct today jumped from 10th place to 2nd place in Gomez Canada's ranking on discount brokerage firms in Canada.
"We wanted to improve our Gomez Canada ranking by focusing on improving the depth and breadth of the financial content we provide and offer a large improvement in the financial applications for our customers. As a result of these initiatives that Stockgroup built with Credential Direct, we have created a significant competitive advantage and the new Gomez ratings have confirmed our success," said Lothar Fabian, Vice President of Operations for Credential Direct.
"We love to see our products contribute to our partners' success. This is significant on so many levels for Stockgroup because it shows how companies can measure the benefit that our products provide to them and the impact that is has for their customers. We're thrilled that our relationship with Credential Direct continues to expand and that we have made a significant contribution to their enormous improvement in the Gomez rankings. Congratulations to the Credential Direct Team," said Marcus New, CEO, Stockgroup Information Systems Inc.
Credential Direct provides online brokerage services to Canadian credit unions as part of Credential, a wealth management organization that manages approximately $5.6 billion on behalf of its credit union partners. Headquartered in Vancouver, with branch offices located in each province, except Quebec, Credential employs 200 staff from coast to coast. Credential Direct was launched in 2000 as a division of Credential Securities Inc. Credential Direct gives credit union members direct access to self-managed investing services via the Internet, or by speaking with a qualified Investment Representative. Trades for cash, margin, and registered accounts start as low as $25. Members access the services through their credit union's Internet portal.
With online users demanding more and more financial information, Stockgroup's Financial Content and Software Systems allows clients like Credential Direct to provide industry leading offerings and deliver vital information to its customers while providing a website that is easy to navigate with an appealing design.
Stockgroup's Financial Content and Software Systems are made up of a suite of over 30 proprietary financial and software tools and 100 different data sources that disseminate data from all North American Exchanges and from a database of over 21,000 publicly traded companies. Stockgroup's more than 30 different financial tools include quotes, charts, portfolio systems, technical analysis, wireless applications, watch lists and others.
About Credential Direct
Credential Direct is an online brokerage service that provides credit union members and independent investors with access to self-managed investment services. Credential Direct is part of a family of comprehensive wealth management product and investment services Credential offers to credit unions. Launched in 2000, Credential Direct offers investors at over 150 credit unions across Canada access to powerful online trading tools and investment research directly at www.credentialdirect.com, through their credit union's Internet portal, or by speaking with a qualified Investment Representative. Credential Direct is a division of Credential Securities Inc.
About Stockgroup
Stockgroup Information Systems Inc. is a financial media and technology company. It is a leading provider of private labeled financial software and content solutions to media, corporate and financial services companies. Stockgroup employs proprietary technologies which enable its clients to provide financial data streams and news combined with cutting-edge fundamental, technical, productivity and disclosure tools to their customers, shareholders and employees at a fraction of the cost of traditional internal methods. Stockgroup is also a provider of Public Company Disclosure and Awareness Products for publicly traded companies. Its financial web sites, including www.stockhouse.com, www.stockhouse.ca and www.smallcapcenter.com, are state-of-the-art online research centers for the investment community. To find out more about Stockgroup (OTCBB:SWEB) (TSX Venture Exchange:SWB), visit our website at www.stockgroup.com
Gomez, Gomez Canada and Gomez Performance Network are trademarks or service marks of Gomez Inc.
(r)Credential Direct & Design are registered marks owned by Ethical Funds Inc. and are used under license.
This release contains "forward looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21B of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Any statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, goals, assumptions or future events or performance are not statements of historical fact and may be "forward looking statements." Forward looking statements are based on expectations, estimates and projections at the time the statements are made that involve a number of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those presently anticipated. Forward looking statements in this action may be identified through the use of words such as "expects," "will," "anticipates," "estimates," "believes," or statements indicating certain actions "may," "could," or "might" occur.
This release has neither been approved or disapproved by the TSX