DULLES, Va. and HARTFORD, Conn., March 15, 2000…RailNet-USA.com,Ô a vertical trade community developed by Internos Corp., and First International Bank, a subsidiary of First International Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ:FNCE), today announced that they have partnered to make real-time, online financing available to all members of RailNet-USA.com—Internos’ subscription-based Internet community for the national railroad contracting industry. The partnership will facilitate the financing and settlement of transactions between buyers and sellers of railroad industry products and services, in addition to meeting many other credit needs of RailNet-USA.com members.

As part of RailNet-USA.com’s groundbreaking effort to bring Web-based business process solutions to the railroad contracting industry, First International Bank will offer and service 14 different types of commercial loans, worth up to $5 million per transaction, which together comprise its e-CreditMenu^SM. The bank’s e-CreditMenu product offerings range from basic bonding facilities, working capital lines and equipment loans, to sophisticated barter, energy and import/export financing programs. These commercial loans provide significantly greater credit availability than the $100,000 maximum "credit card" levels typifying the online business loan market today.

Facilities appearing in the e-CreditMenu will be underwritten by First International Bank in accordance with Riscope^SM, the bank’s proprietary commercial credit scoring system. Riscope applies to industrial companies—including railroad operators, general contractors, subcontractors, suppliers and service providers located throughout the United States and abroad—and assures them of an efficient and rapid credit approval process. The integration of First International Bank’s e-CreditMenu with RailNet-USA.com transactions will be accomplished using ThruCredit^®, the bank’s technological solution for automating e-business financing.

According to Larry Goodman, general manager of RailNet-USA.com, "First International Bank’s business-to-business financing capabilities are a welcome addition to RailNet-USA.com’s existing online services for subscribers, which include the electronic transmission of bids, purchase orders, blueprints and documents, as well as an auction site and bulletin board. The bank’s extensive experience in financing companies that serve the railroad contracting industry will be of great value to our members."

Brett N. Silvers, First International Bank’s chairman and chief executive officer, stated that "RailNet-USA.com is the clear leader in providing meaningful business-to-business solutions that reduce the time and money spent by the railroad contracting industry on paper-based business processes. Our partnership with RailNet-USA.com will now bring significant efficiencies to the railroad sector in the area of financing as well."

RailNet-USA.com (www.railnet-usa.com) was launched by Internos Corporation in 1999 to improve efficiency in the highly fragmented national railroad contracting marketplace. The online trading community provides enhanced marketing, bidding, communication and commerce for Class I, regional and short line railroads; general contractors; subcontractors; suppliers and service providers.

RailNet-USA.com Partners With First International Bank, March 15, 2000…Add Two

Founded in November 1996, Internos Corporation of Dulles, Va. creates, operates and markets Internet-based working communities for selected industries. Internos’ online communities are designed to facilitate daily business-to-business communications, commerce and relationship-building in highly fragmented, traditionally paper-intensive industries. More information on Internos and its vertical communities can be found at www.internoscorp.com.

Financing Manufacturers Worldwide^® is a registered trademark of First International Bank.