Press Release: November 18 1999

WR Hambrecht + Co posts Q&A with Malcolm Frank, CEO of NerveWire

In-depth interview with CEO of early stage Internet professional services firm continues WRH+Co’s effort to provide unique research for investors

SAN FRANCISCO CA, November 18 1999—WR Hambrecht + Co, the online investment bank, today posted an in-depth interview between eServices analyst Greg Gore and Malcolm Frank, President and CEO of NerveWire. The full interview can be found at www.wrhambrecht.com

NerveWire is an early stage Internet professional services firm focused on building business-to-business (B2B) digital markets. NerveWire aims to create and invest in B2B ecommerce leaders in the high tech, financial services and chemical industries.

Demand for Internet professional services is strong and getting stronger “because the nature of Internet professional services engagements is changing as we enter the third wave of the Internet,” says Malcolm Frank in the interview. “The third wave, the e-business wave, is now the real deal.” In the third wave, “most Internet services firms now find they are winning larger engagements with fewer clients. When this occurs as a consulting firm, the wind is truly at your back.”

According to Mr. Frank, “managing hyper-growth stands as the largest challenge to the Internet professional services companies.” He adds “the challenges are numerous, and firms must beware of the Icarus effect: that is, fly too high too soon and you will crash and burn.”

This Q&A is the first in an on-going series of WR Hambrecht + Co interviews with private and public company executives and other thought leaders. This new content offering is further evidence that WR Hambrecht + Co is dedicated to providing investors a wider range of in-depth research than traditional investment banking firms. In addition to covering public companies, WRH+Co analysts issue comprehensive industry sector reports and private company analyses.

WR Hambrecht + Co was founded on the principle that all investors should have equal access to shares of public offerings. Likewise, WR Hambrecht + Co supplies its research for free to all investors. WR Hambrecht + Co also strives to provide objective and quantifiable research that serves the interests of its investing clients. The Research Group focuses on emerging growth companies that are fueling the New Economy, including companies in the Internet software and services and branded consumer goods sectors.