F2b Offers 70 New E-commerce Partners   F2b, a leader in the field of electronic payments in Brazil, announces an important addition to the e-commerce area of its website. Over the past three months F2b has established new relationships with companies that provide total e-commerce solutions such as Boldcron, Fast commerce and 4web Solutions. Now, sites developed by these groups will be able to accept F2b as a payment method.   Through those new partnerships, F2b has become an important payment alternative for a group of sites that have important presence in both the virtual and physical world. These major brand names include Bruno Minelli, Casa das Calcinhas and Intimitat as well as Novo Estilo, Moda Site and Flores na Web.   "That is one more step in setting a new direction for e-commerce in Brazil. Our customers were looking for new ways of doing business on the Internet. Through our e-commerce software, BOLDCRON BSHOP, F2b provides innovative technology that reduces the risks associated with traditional online payment methods since F2b accounts are prepaid", says Vicente Gouvêa, Commercial Director of Boldcron.   "Now, through F2b, the user can buy renowned world brands like Hugo Boss, Escada, Gucci, Bulgari. Transactions are completed in a secure and convenient environment with security features designed to protect both the merchant and the customer", says Laurymar de Souza, Executive Director of F2b.   F2b anticipates reaching 50.000 new customers that are interested in buying luxury brands on the Internet and expects to benefit from the upcoming holiday season.   Merchants who are part of the F2b network have, at their disposal, the use of Cobrança F2b, a new service that allows merchants to produce boletos in an easy and economical way. Once produced, the boletos can be sent to the customer by e-mail or they can be printed and sent through traditional mail. Payments of the boletos are made using traditional methods and funds are credited to the merchant's f2b account. Each boleto is registered in the system and payments can be tracked using sophisticated administrative tools.     About F2b (www.f2b.com.br)   Launched in December of 2000 and headquartered in São Paulo, F2b (www.f2b.com.br) is a Brazilian company pioneering in the field of online payment. Through its proprietary financial processing platform, F2b enables Internet users to create virtual accounts, make online purchases, transfer funds using e-mail addresses, purchase logistics services, and establish payment escrow accounts. All of these services are available without the need of bank accounts or credit cards.   F2b is a company financed by a group of North American investors including Neptune Capital Group and the president and founder of the company, Jacques Blinbaum.   Related sites: www.modasite.com.br www.boldcron.com.br   Information for the press: Edelman of Brazil Patrícia Costa/ Renata Pacini (11) 3017.5315/ 3017.5300 - R.236 patricia.costa@edelman.com renata.pacini@edelman.com