ATLANTA, GA., and HARTFORD, Conn., Sept. 13, 2000—wireConnect and First International Bank, a subsidiary of First International Bancorp Inc. (NASDAQ: FNCE), have formed an alliance to offer online financing to members of wireConnect, the first global e-marketplace for the wire and cable industry. Under the agreement, First International Bank will make 14 commercial and international credit products available online to buyers, sellers and intermediaries in the wire and cable industry – up to US $5 million per transaction – for trading wire and raw materials for production, capital equipment and industry-specific packaging supplies.

First International Bank will integrate these online financing options with wireConnect using ThruCredit(sm), the bank’s technological solution for financing industrial transactions via the Internet. Traders will be able to choose among 14 credit products comprising First International’s e-CreditMenu(sm) to settle transactions using the wireConnect platform, and to meet their other business credit needs. Products in the e-CreditMenu range from basic payment guarantees, working capital lines, equipment loans and industrial mortgages, to sophisticated international trade, barter and energy financing programs.

wireConnect CEO and Founder, Chad Hood, believes participants in the wireConnect
e-marketplace will benefit greatly from the access to credit services. "Buyers and sellers alike invest tremendous time in discovery and negotiation," said Hood, "and wireConnect’s alliance with First International has channeled the power of the Internet to give all parties the ability to negotiate, buy and sell with confidence in the wireConnect marketplace."

First International Bank will underwrite loans and other facilities appearing in the e-CreditMenu in accordance with Riscope(sm), the bank’s proprietary commercial credit scoring system. Riscope applies to most types of industrial companies worldwide and facilitates
an efficient and rapid credit approval process.

According to Brett N. Silvers, First International Bank's chairman and CEO, "First International is pleased to partner with wireConnect and contribute to their efforts to greatly extend vendor reach for buyers and open up global markets to suppliers. Both our companies are lined up to support the wire and cable industry to do more with less time, and with updated tools."

First International Bank has proven expertise in the commercial and international trade financing domains. The U.S. Department of Commerce recently honored the company with the President’s "E" Award for Export Service for its accomplishments promoting U.S. exports. For three straight years, the company has been the world’s number one underwriter of loans supported by the U.S. Export-Import Bank based on number of transactions – closing more than 100 loans each year.

The wireConnect agreement marks the 15^th alliance between First International Bank and an Internet-based industrial marketplace where participants engage in global transactions online.

wireConnect.com (www.wireconnect.com) is the first global e-marketplace for the $125 billion wire and cable industry, established by wireConnect based in Atlanta, Georgia. wireConnect has created a dynamic global wire industry community where buyers, sellers and intermediaries can conduct online transactions for all types of wire and related products. wireConnect is a neutral, negotiation-driven, global exchange where companies can transact sales, secure credit, arrange freight and logistics services, and access expert industry news and technical resources.

First International Bank (www.upscapital.com) – a world leader in the use of SBA, USDA and Export-Import Bank loans – provides innovative credit, trade and financial solutions for small and medium size industrial businesses. The company has more than 200 employees and representatives at 29 locations worldwide. U.S. offices are in Boston, Cleveland, Detroit, Hartford, Los Angeles, Miami, Morristown, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Providence, Richmond, Rochester, Springfield, St. Louis, and Washington, DC. International representatives are based in Argentina, Brazil, Central America, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Korea, Mexico, North Africa, the Philippines, Poland, South Africa, Turkey and West Africa. In 1999, the company originated $551 million in loans primarily within its industrial niche, and closed the year with a managed loan portfolio of $1.1 billion. Established in 1955, the bank is a subsidiary of publicly traded First International Bancorp Inc. (NASDAQ: FNCE), with headquarters in Hartford, Connecticut.

MEDIA CONTACT:

wireConnect
Chad Hood
(404) 607-0925
connect@wireconnect.com

First International Bank:
Michele Zommer
(860) 241-4705
zommerm@firstinterbank.com