U.S. Bancorp Piper Jaffray Launches New piperjaffray.com Site.

MINNEAPOLIS, Oct. 23 /PRNewswire/ --

Today, U.S. Bancorp Piper Jaffray announced the launch of its new http://www.piperjaffray.com site, a leading financial Web site. The new site captures the expertise of U.S. Bancorp Piper Jaffray, reflecting the firm's leadership as "Guides for the Journey (SM)" in the financial industry. Experienced financial guides offer advice on personal finance, institutional investing and investments for businesses. Market commentary, proprietary stock and bond research and quotes are constantly updated to make the site a smart resource for investors. The site also offers educational resources important to every investor, from college planning tips, to the latest estate tax changes.

All four U.S. Bancorp Piper Jaffray divisions are represented in the new site -- Private Advisory Services, Equity Capital Markets, Fixed Income Capital Markets and Asset Management. "The new Web site puts our clients front and center, addressing their needs -- which is one of our firm's guiding principles," said Andrew Duff, President and Chief Executive Officer of U.S. Bancorp Piper Jaffray. "In addition to putting clients first, the firm is dedicated to delivering the best advice and service in the industry by some of the industry's top talent. The Web site embodies these firm wide guiding principles."

Launch Dovetails with that of http://www.usbank.com

The new U.S. Bancorp Piper Jaffray site has a similar look and functionality of the new U.S. Bank site, http://www.usbank.com , re-launching simultaneously. U.S. Bancorp is the holding company for both U.S. Bancorp Piper Jaffray and U.S. Bank. The compatibility of the sites makes it easy for investors to access our full complement of banking and brokerage services.

New "Markets at a Glance" Feature

Among the new features of the site is "Markets at a Glance," offering timely stock information (quotes, charts and news). "Markets at a Glance" also includes a bond investment section with news, calendars and interest rate indexes, and daily, weekly and monthly market commentaries from our leading market strategists covering both the stock and the bond markets, as well as macro-economic viewpoints and asset allocation tips. Other features include proprietary equity and fixed income research including daily stock reports and credit market analysis.

Links to Related Sites

-- Full-Service Brokerage Site ( https://online.piperjaffray.com )

The new site continues to link to the firm's full-service brokerage site, https://online.piperjaffray.com , including online trading capabilities, which has earned industry recognition as a top site for investors. The former U.S. Bancorp Piper Jaffray individual investor services site ranked sixth in the summer/fall 2001 Gomez rankings of brokerage Web sites. There are more than 200 brokerage firm Web sites.

While the brokerage site will initially look the same as it has in the past, future phases include hosting a page of leading financial advisors so that clients can find an advisor in their area. Investors will soon be able to read through financial advisors' biographies to ascertain their experience and investment style, and select an advisor that suits them. Maps and driving directions to branch offices will facilitate an initial consultation, which U.S. Bancorp Piper Jaffray financial advisor's offer free of charge.

The new site is another in a series of client focused Internet enhancements. The following are descriptions of the other sites/links accessible from the new piperjaffray.com.

U.S. Bancorp Piper Jaffray Asset Management ( http://www.faamonline.com )

A newly re-designed site for U.S. Bancorp Piper Jaffray Asset Management ( http://www.faamonline.com ) launches at the same time as http://www.piperjaffray.com . The site features news and announcements; product information; investment philosophy; and information about the management team and staff. Institutional clients can access quarterly performance statements, daily portfolio holdings and transactions, and update their own user profiles. The site also makes it possible for users to update their own user profiles.

First American Funds ( http://www.firstamericanfunds.com )

Another Web site accessible from piperjaffray.com is a new site for First American Funds ( http://www.firstamericanfunds.com ) launched Sept. 27. The site provides descriptions of each First American Fund as well as daily updated net asset values for each of the funds. Additionally, fund performance is updated monthly on the site.

First American clients who have non-broker-controlled accounts can access information about their accounts, download applications and forms and get information about share classes and purchasing fund shares. Investor education and planning tools on the site help these clients plan their investments.

The site also makes it possible for clients who have non-broker-controlled accounts to purchase and exchange fund investments online, as well as access and download balances, transaction histories and tax summaries. Clients can also make address changes and checkbook re-orders and request duplicate statements, duplicate tax forms and agreement updates.

Equity Research ( http://www.gotoanalysts.com )

Gotoanalysts.com is the multimedia site for Equity Capital Markets that features industry insights, top picks, select research reports and market commentary from our equity analysts, fixed income analysts and market strategists. Gotoanalysts.com also offers free industry newsletters, web casts of investor conferences, daily reports from the morning meeting and much more.

Media Center (http://www.gotoanalysts.com/piperpublic/mediaroom/index.as )

The Media Center is a one-stop shop for members of the news media. It can be accessed through piperjaffray.com or the above URL. Media will find biographies, photos and research for the firm's four main business lines: Equity Capital Markets, Fixed Income, Private Advisory Services and U.S. Bancorp Piper Jaffray Asset Management. Media may use the "register online" button to receive a username and password and access our research on this site.

U.S. Bancorp Piper Jaffray, a subsidiary of Minneapolis-based U.S. Bancorp (NYSE: USB), provides a full range of investment products and services to businesses, institutions and individuals. U.S. Bancorp Piper Jaffray has a national reputation for its expertise in fundamental research and equity and debt financing. U.S. Bancorp offers a comprehensive range of financial solutions through U.S. Bank, U.S. Bancorp Piper Jaffray Asset Management and U.S. Bancorp Piper Jaffray. Securities products and services offered through U.S. Bancorp Piper Jaffray, Inc., member SIPC and NYSE, Inc., a subsidiary of U.S. Bancorp.

Nondeposit investment products are not insured by the FDIC, are not deposits or other obligations of or guaranteed by U.S. Bank National Association or its affiliates, and involve investment risks, including possible loss of the principal amount invested. Securities products and services are offered through U.S. Bancorp Piper Jaffray Inc., member SIPC and NYSE, Inc., a subsidiary of U.S. Bancorp. (5/99-0679)

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