Continental Trade Exchange Expands into California and Canada

New Berlin, Wis., May 10, 2001 -- International Monetary Systems, Ltd., the holding company that owns Continental Trade Exchange, Ltd. (CTE), has recently completed a public offering of its common stock. The funds that were raised are being used to carry out the company's growth-through-acquisition strategy. As a first step, CTE has purchased the assets and client base of Trade Systems Interchange (TSI), a barter network located in Rohnert Park, California. TSI has been servicing businesses and professional people in Sonoma County and the Greater San Francisco Bay Area since 1983.

Don Mardak, president and CEO of Continental Trade Exchange, said: "This acquisition is a key step in our growth strategy of making CTE one of the world's largest barter systems, and it also positions us for our planned entry into the dynamic San Francisco marketplace. But even more important, Lisa Peters and Danny Weibling, the former owners of TSI, have joined our staff and are filling several very important roles. In addition to owning and operating their trade exchange for the past thirteen years, both Lisa and Danny are certified public accountants. Therefore, they bring a unique area of expertise to our operation."

Lisa Peters has been named a vice president of Continental Trade Exchange. In that role, she will manage the Sonoma County office and will be the editor of all CTE newsletters, barter faxes, and other client communications. She will also help the company in implementing internal control systems, and will be instrumental in expanding the horizons of CTE's accounting and broker software deployment.

Danny Weibling is now the chief financial officer and treasurer of International Monetary Systems and Continental Trade Exchange. Danny is a well-known figure in the barter industry, having served as the treasurer of the National Association of Trade Exchanges for six years. He is also the developer and programmer of Tradeworks, the barter industry's finest software program. In his role as CFO, Danny is in charge of all client and corporate accounting, participates in all board of directors meetings, and provides direction for the company's overall financial planning.

In addition to expanding into California, CTE has recently incorporated a new Canadian barter division: Continental Trade Exchange of Canada, Ltd. Because the people of Canada have proven to be most receptive to the concept of barter, CTE hopes to eventually develop a nationwide network of traders across that great country. As its initial venture, Continental Trade Exchange of Canada has opened an office in Durham, Ontario, which is being staffed by Yvonne Cameron and Kim Patterson. Both Yvonne and Kim have previously worked for Barter Connection of Canada, which recently ceased operations. CTE has also hired Jane Darling to manage a new office in Ottawa, the majestic and scenic Canadian capital.

As a result of these recent expansion steps, the Continental Trade Exchange barter network now services more than 3,200 clients out of seven offices located in New Berlin, Madison, and Green Bay, Wisconsin; North Chicago, Illinois; Rohnert Park, California; and Durham and Ottawa, Ontario.

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Source: International Monetary Systems, Ltd.