Kroger Adds BioPay's Paycheck Secure to the Check Cashing Counter

Biometric System Makes Check Cashing Secure for Kroger and Its Customers

Herndon, VA — December 9, 2002

Biometric identification leader BioPay, LLC today announced that The Kroger Company, one of the nation's largest grocery retailers, is using Paycheck Secure for its check cashing operations located in stores throughout Indiana. Paycheck Secure enables Kroger locations to effectively eliminate check fraud and gives customers a convenient option to cash payroll checks while keeping their personal information secure. It is expected that more Kroger locations nationwide will begin using Paycheck Secure next year.

"Kroger is a brand that consumers associate with high quality and outstanding customer service," said Tim Robinson, president, BioPay, LLC. "Paycheck Secure furthers the positive customer experience by giving consumers a secure option for cashing checks while protecting their identity."

The Paycheck Secure check cashing system uses biometrics to verify a person's identity and confirm their check cashing history. If a customer has a negative check cashing history, the clerk can cancel the transaction, saving the store money that would have otherwise been lost on a fraudulent transaction.

Paycheck Secure is an ideal way for check cashing customers to secure their identity and keep personal information private. The system lets customers scan their finger for positive identification and to initiate a transaction. No other ID is needed, so personal information is kept private and not shared.

Kroger's Central Division is based in Indianapolis, Indiana. Eleven of the state's 143 Kroger locations cash more than 60,000 checks per month. Kroger expects to offer its customers the convenience of Paycheck Secure at its other high-volume check cashing locations across the country next year.

About The Kroger Company

Headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, The Kroger Company (NYSE: KR) is one of the nation's largest grocery retailers, with fiscal 2001 sales of more than $50 billion. The company spans many states and operate under nearly two dozen banners, all of which share the same belief in building strong local ties and brand loyalty with its customers.

About BioPay, LLC

Since 1999, BioPay has been providing smart, secure methods for processing financial transactions. Its Paycheck Secure systems help businesses substantially reduce fraud and give consumers a convenient method for cashing checks. BioPay's payment service offers merchants a low-cost form of customer payment and gives consumers a secure, fast and convenient way to pay for purchases. BioPay's patent-pending systems for merchants, banks and financial service organizations have been implemented across the nation. BioPay's value to consumers and merchants has created the nation's largest commercial electronic biometric database. For more information on BioPay and its market-leading products please visit www.biopay.com.