Transamerica Flood Joins
a la mode's Mercury Network

Oklahoma City, OK --In the latest example of expanded cooperation between the two companies, Transamerica Flood Hazard Certification, Inc. and a la mode, inc. announced today that Transamerica Flood will be joining a la mode's nationwide Mercury Network, serving as the primary provider of flood certification services to the mortgage brokers, lenders, and management companies on the network.

"We're very excited to have Transamerica Flood on the Mercury Network," commented David Biggers, a la mode's CEO. "They're superb partners in our other ventures, and I'm sure our members will benefit from Transamerica Flood's experience as they seamlessly insert flood certifications into the transactions on the network."

Transamerica Flood is already a provider of flood zone data to a la mode's InterFlood website for flood maps, as well as being one of the sources of flood data available to appraisers in a la mode's WinTOTAL desktop software. Those two sources, linked to Transamerica Flood via a la mode's net.X technology backbone, received flood data from Transamerica Flood's servers on nearly 200,000 properties in August alone. 

In a testimony to the underlying soundness of the business synergies, Transamerica and a la mode maintained their relationship even after a legal dispute over the InterFlood website and its use of Transamerica’s data.  The lawsuit was dismissed after the companies worked out their differences, and forged ahead with a clarified licensing arrangement.

"It's clear from our existing relationship that a la mode delivers on its promise of a high volume of transactions. We're confident that our membership in the Mercury Network will result in even more business and strengthen our relationship even further," noted Mark Green, Transamerica Flood's National Sales Manager.

Though newly formed, the Mercury Network already has a roster of substantial clients who generate millions of mortgage related transactions a year, as well as service providers numbering in the tens of thousands. Focused on connecting every segment of the industry, the Mercury Network deviates from the "portal" concept by shunning web pages in favor of true desktop software components, tied together by a la mode's net.X data connection technology.

Each industry segment has an individually designed Mercury Desktop. The tools in the desktop software add value by solving real world day-to-day problems, such as filling out BPO or appraisal forms, gathering maps, Census, and HMDA data, as well as allowing members to order, track, and transmit appraisals, flood determinations, inspections, BPOs, and more. In addition, institutional clients can take advantage of robust back-office tools developed as reliable Microsoft .NET services.

Examples of Mercury Network members include 3S/RealServ, Advanced Collateral Solutions, Appraisal Enhancement Services, FISERV Integrated Loan Services, General American Corporation, Nationwide Appraisal Services Corporation, Ocwen Financial’s OTX and Value IT.

About Transamerica Flood Hazard Certification, Inc
Transamerica Flood Hazard Certification, Inc., based in Hasbrouck Heights , NJ , is a leading provider of flood zone determinations and works with many of the nation's largest originators, mortgage servicers, appraisal and insurance companies.  It provides lenders with guaranteed accurate determinations as to whether a property for which they are issuing a mortgage is located in a Special Flood Hazard Area and must be covered by flood insurance prior to closing.  Transamerica Flood also offers a service to monitor the flood hazard status of the property for as long as the loan is in force and notify the loan servicer of any change.  Transamerica Flood, an industry leader in electronic data exchange, was the first company to offer a flood determination program; the first to provide electronic ordering; the first to offer written guarantees; the first to offer a Life-of-Loan tracking program; and the first to link to a tax service. Transamerica Flood is one of the Transamerica Finance Corporation’s family of businesses. 

About a la mode
a la mode, inc. is the single largest real estate appraisal technology provider in the world.  The company's flagship product, WinTOTAL appraisal software, is used by over 50% of North American appraisers, nearly three times the share of its closest competitor.  a la mode’s Mercury Network delivered over 5.2 million electronic appraisals to lenders and appraisal management companies in the past 12 months, making it the undisputed leader in paperless real estate transactions.  a la mode is headquartered in Oklahoma City , and more information about the company can be found on the Web at http://www.alamode.com.