American Buying and 3 Mark Financial Announce Strategic Marketing Alliance

Alliance Expands Retirement- and Estate-Planning Services Currently Available to More Than 600,000 Association Member Businesses Nationwide


CHICAGO, Oct. 9, 2001 (PRIMEZONE) -- American Buying Retirement Services, Inc. announced today that it has entered into an exclusive marketing agreement with 3 Mark Financial, Inc., Houston, TX. This alliance will enable American Buying to provide much broader national coverage for their existing retirement and estate-planning programs.

Currently 100 associations endorse American Buying for retirement and estate-planning needs for its members. 3 Mark will be responsible for marketing, sales and the expansion of American Buying's current 90 offices to more than 600 offices in the next 18 months. 3 Mark currently has 65 affiliate offices and more than 7,200 agents nationwide.

Bob Sheridan, Chairman of American Buying, said, "We see this as an ideal strategic fit. 3 Mark brings experienced management and product expertise to our program. This will enable us to provide our clients broader and deeper coverage and an expanded product menu with more resources for the owners and key executives of companies that belong to trade associations, professional societies and chambers of commerce that have endorsed American Buying programs."

Jerrell G. Clay, CLU, President and CEO of 3 Mark, said, "We are extremely excited about this new relationship. This alliance gives 3 Mark a strategic advantage in the marketplace, as it brings market access and a foundation to expand our national distribution."

ABOUT 3 MARK

3 Mark is a national independent marketing firm that distributes life and equity based products and is licensed in all 50 states and Puerto Rico. 3 Mark operates through eleven owned offices and 65 independent affiliates with over 7,200 agents nationwide.

ABOUT ABRS

For over 12 years, American Buying has worked exclusively with trade associations, chambers of commerce and professional societies. American Buying currently has more than 100 exclusive endorsements for high-quality retirement and financial services at a lower cost than members can typically get on their own. This "demonstrable value" is the cornerstone of the programs that American Buying brings to the marketplace. Their program includes, Executive Retirement Plans, 401(k) Plans, Qualified Profit Sharing Plans and Estate Planning services.

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CONTACT:  American Buying Retirement Services, Inc.
          Robert Sheridan, Chairman
          (312) 670-9800 ext 100
          rsheridan@abrsmail.com

          3 Mark Financial, Inc.
          Jerrell G. Clay, CLU, President
          (800) 364-3552 x203
          www.3Mark.com