TUSTIN, Cal., and HARTFORD, Conn., Nov. 22, 2000—RFQsolutions.com and First International Bank, a subsidiary of First International Bancorp Inc. (NASDAQ: FNCE), have formed an alliance to offer online financing to manufacturers of custom and made-to-order parts. First International has agreed to make commercial and international credit products available online to buyers and sellers via RFQsolutions.com – the first global, membership-based e-marketplace for the precision manufacturing industry. Credit is available to purchase parts and services up to US $5 million per transaction.

First International will integrate these online financing options with RFQsolutions.com 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 via the RFQsolutions.com platform, and to meet their other business borrowing 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.

David Rohlander, CEO and chairman of RFQsolutions.com, expects First International to be the ideal provider of financing services to the network’s membership. "RFQsolutions.com is designed for companies whose business practices are based on best-value propositions," stated Rohlander. "Our members can have confidence in First International, whose entire global organization is founded on the ability to provide premium credit services to the small and midsize industrial sector," he added.

First International 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.

Brett N. Silvers, the bank’s chairman and CEO, remarked that, "First International and RFQsolutions.com are united in our aspiration to keep machines running 24x7 in the markets we serve. Precision manufacturers will appreciate our ability to facilitate swift, smooth credit transactions in support of their online marketing activities."

First International has achieved acclaim for its commercial and international trade financing abilities. The U.S. Department of Commerce recently honored the company with the President’s "E" Award for Export Service for promoting U.S. exports and economic interests abroad. For four 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.

Likewise, First International’s e-business strategy has been spotlighted in publications such as Forbes, InfoWorld and InformationWeek. The company has 15 active alliances with Internet-based industrial marketplaces where participants gain access to its online financing.

RFQsolutions.com (www.RFQsolutions.com) is an innovative, member-based online business-to-business network for manufacturers throughout the world that buy and sell custom and made-to-order parts, products and services, including tooling, molds, dies, castings, forgings, extrusions, grinding, heat-treating and metal-forming. RFQsolutions.com develops a detailed analysis of member companies based on capabilities, methods, materials and certifications. The site provides a precision marketing forum where members can acquire extensive knowledge about each other and form partnerships and alliances based on trust, compatibility and reliable information – for an all-around "best value" purchase decision. Rohsen Technology & Marketing Inc., d/b/a RFQsolutions.com, is created, designed and owned by experienced manufacturers.

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, including offices coast-to-coast in the U.S. and international representatives located in the Americas, Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Central Europe. 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:

RFQsolutions.com
David Rohlander
(800) 921-1958
DRohlander@RFQsolutions.com

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