February 23, 1998 -- Boston, MA -- Seeking to capitalize on the explosive growth in the 401(k) market, Thomson Financial Services announced today that it has acquired Viga Technologies, a Tucson-based provider of retirement software products for the financial services industry. Viga Technologies will become part of Thomson Financial Services’ Wiesenberger division, which provides specialized research and sales software on mutual funds and other investment vehicles to the financial services industry. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

"We saw Viga as a good fit. Much like Wiesenberger, Viga specializes in custom software solutions for the financial services industry," said William R. Chambers, president of Wiesenberger. "In addition, Viga brings a very strong development staff and an impressive client list." Clients include Prudential, Vanguard, Frank Russell, Pacific Mutual, John Hancock, Merrill Lynch, USBanCorp and Bankers Trust.

"Viga gains many advantages from becoming part of Thomson Financial Services’ Wiesenberger," said Peter McNellis, president of Viga Technologies. "We will be able to leverage our complimentary strengths — Viga is solid on the development side, while Wiesenberger has a powerful distribution channel and is accomplished at marketing and selling to the financial services industry." The union of these two firms will provide the financial services industry with technology solutions for the many issues facing the 401(k) market today.

Bill Anderson, chief information officer of Prudential Securities, Inc. and a current Viga customer commented, "Viga has provided us with very creative products. The merger expands their future with Thomson Financial Services’ strong market presence."

The acquisition positions Wiesenberger as the premier provider of retirement software products. Product offerings include flagship product, the Viga Retirement Planner (VRP), which provides custom PC-based and Internet solutions to assist 401(k) plan participants with education, enrollment and plan monitoring; and the Roth IRA analysis tool, software designed to help investment professionals determine the best IRA option for their client.

Currently more than 150,000 investment professionals and 200 major financial institutions rely on Wiesenberger software products to research and sell investment products. "The addition of Viga allows Wiesenberger to expand current relationships with mutual fund firms, insurance companies and banks and provide them with retirement solutions," said Jay Nadler, chief operating officer at CDA Investment Technologies. Conversely, having access to the Wiesenberger fund databases will enhance the Viga products, enabling employees to evaluate risk/reward information in the fund selection process. The move also positions Wiesenberger to expand their market to include corporations who offer 401(k) plans.

Wiesenberger, the country’s first mutual fund tracking service, has provided mutual fund data to financial professionals for more than 55 years. It is the leading provider of customized software to fund distributors and sponsors, brokers, banks, financial planners and insurance companies and is well-known for its HySales^® hypothetical sales software, used by more than 150,000 reps nationwide. Wiesenberger is a division of Thomson Financial Services, a leading provider of quality financial information, research, analysis, and software products to the global investment and corporate communities. Part of The Thomson Corporation, a $7.7-billion company based in Toronto, Thomson Financial Services employs more than 5,500 people in nearly 40 offices around the world.

Viga Technologies has been a trusted blue chip name in retirement planning software since 1989, developing distinct, highly interactive and user-friendly retirement planning and investment education products with the end-user in mind.

###