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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Fonds régional de solidarité Outaouais and Capital CPDQ invest in Synercard Corporation.

Hull, May 30, 2000 – The Fonds régional de solidarité Outaouais has contributed $250,000, and Capital CPDQ, a subsidiary of the Caisse de dépôt et de placement, has invested $150,000 (thus increasing its total participation in the company to $450,000), as part of an intensive round of financing totalling $1 million in Synercard Corporation, a computer software manufacturer. Incorporated in 1997, Synercard Corporation specializes in providing customized ID-card solutions for the Internet and intranet environments, though the use of smart-card and symmetric (private-key) cryptography technologies.

An Innovative Software Package

Synercard is the creator of the Asure ID software package; which allows taking an employee's picture in real time with a webcam, and sampling his/her signature using a membrane tablet. The user can then quickly and easily create ID cards with photos, by choosing various models and customizing features. Information from the database is then sent via the Internet to the company's processing and printing center, or any other authorized Synercard Secure Card Bureau, using encryption technology on a TCP/IP network. Data is processed using the Asure ID Server software. Cards are then printed and returned via mail or courier to users.

Synercard Corporation's products are ideally suited to today's e-commerce environment. They fall in line with the needs of the Business-to-Business (B2B) sector which should, in the coming years, surpass the Business-to-Consumer sector in importance. “We feel that the financial participation of the Fonds régional de solidarité Outaouais and Capital CDPQ represents a unique lever for the development of our company", says Bruce Bianco, President of Synercard Corporation.

"This investment will allow Synercard to keep its growth momentum in the information-technology sector, and create top-quality jobs for the region", adds Michel Parent, Executive Director of the Fonds régional de solidarité Outaouais. “For investors like us, Synercard is exactly the kind of innovative company we like to invest in. This second investment is greatly indicative of this“, says Paul Juneau, President of Capital CDPQ.

Revolutionary New Technology

Synercard's expertise in the effective, fast, and secure transfer of data on the Internet provides the company with a unique window of opportunity that allows it to market products which meet the needs of its targeted client base. In fact, a number of partners (Corel, Gemplus, NBS, Laminex, among others) have already shown interest in Synercard's technology.

About the Fonds régional de solidarité Outaouais

As of February 29, 2000, the total portfolio for the 17 Fonds régionaux de solidarité was comprised of 200 partnering companies. Investments totalled $60 million, generating $287 million in project value. This has directly contributed to the creation and/or support of 5,084 jobs.

With net assets of more than $3.3 billion, the Fonds de solidarité FTQ is an investment fund which has been set up through the savings efforts of countless Quebecers - most notably through their RRSP contributions -, in order to help towards creating, maintaining, and supporting jobs, and take an active part in Québec's economic development. The Fonds de solidarité FTQ currently boasts approximately 420,000 shareholders, and has helped - through its own initiatives or in collaboration with other funding partners - to create, maintain, and support more than 80,000 jobs.

About Capital CDPQ

As a member of the national and international network of the Caisse de dépôt et placement, Canada's leading fund manager, Capital CDPQ seeks to support small and medium-sized Québec companies recognized for their leadership, their vitality, and their growth potential. Capital CPDQ's investments of up to $2 million in equity capital and $3 million in loans, are made directly or indirectly through the investment companies of Accès Capital. Combined assets for the companies total $86.8 million, divided into 120 distinct investments. As a whole, the Caisse's subsidiairies specializing in private company funding, are responsible for a portfolio of more than $12 billion.

For more information:

Bruce Bianco, President
Synercard Corporation
Telephone: 819-777-6687, ext. 3122
Fax: 819-777-8114
Email: bbianco@synercard.com
www.synercard.com

Michel Parent, Executive Director
Fonds régional de solidarité Outaouais
Telephone: 819-778-2995
Fax: 819-778-2998

Pierre Leduc, Communications Advisor
Fonds de solidarité FTQ
Toll-free number: 1 800 361-5017

Lucie Frenière
Capital CDPQ
Telephone: 514-847-5949
www.lacaisse.com
info@lacaisse.com

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