F2b launches Brazil's only service that allows transfer of money using the telephone   Users of F2b can send money to anyone having an e-mail address   F2b, a leader in the area of electronic payments in Brazil, has launched a service that allows its customers to use the telephone to transfer money to anyone that has an e-mail account. There is no need for the recipient to have either a bank account or a credit card account. This solution is based on the latest VoiceXML technology that allows integration between the telephone and the Internet. "Our objective is to open a new channel to our F2b services that does not require the use of a computer. In this way we hope to increase our volume by 20% from current rate of 20,000 transactions per month," says Paulo Azambuja, vice president of F2b.   Our users can call our center at (XX11) 3047-4793 and provide the information necessary to complete the transfer. The transaction is immediately included in the sender's account history and and the system generates an e-mail to advise the recipient of the transfer.   "We are working to improve the solution so that all the information can be input either by voice or by the telephone keypad. The ability to offer a total voice solution is important for cell phone users who may not have their hands free. Furthermore, the ability to use both numerals and letters will allow us to input e-mail addresses and make transfers much easier," adds Mr. Azambuja.   "There are no comparable electronic payment solutions that permit transactions using the telephone either in Brazil or abroad. PayPal and c2it (Citibank) are the leaders in Internet based electronic funds transfers in the United States. Neither of these offer this service. I am proud that Brazil is leading the world in launching this solution. Our goal is to expand the use of VoiceXML so that many of our other services can be accessed over the telephone," says Jacques Blinbaum, founder and president of F2b.     About F2b (www.f2b.com.br)   Launched in December of 2000 and based in Sao Paulo, F2b (www.f2b.com.br) is a Brazilian company pioneeering in the area of online payments. Using its proprietary platform Internet users are able open virtual accounts, pay for online purchases, transfer funds using e-mail addresses, arrange for shipping services, arrange for escrow services, and send billings using e-mail. All of these functions are available without the need for a bank account or credit card. F2b's proprietary technology was developed totally in Brazil. F2b is funded by a group of North American investors including Neptune Capital Partners and Jacques Blinbaum, its founder and president.     Information for the press: Edelman of Brazil Paula Nauhardt/ David Grinberg (11) 3017.5304/3017.5300 - R.213 paula.nauhardt@edelman.com david.grinberg@edelman.com