Bankrate Launches Redesigned Web Site; Problem Credit and College Fina

Bankrate Launches Redesigned Web Site; Problem Credit and College Finance Channels Added

To download high-resolution, print-ready JPEG images, click on the thumbnail image above. WARNING: these images are very large (800K+) Click here for caption

To download high-resolution, print-ready JPEG images, click on the thumbnail image above. WARNING: these images are very large (800K+) Click here for caption

To download high-resolution, print-ready JPEG images, click on the thumbnail image above. WARNING: these images are very large (800K+) Click here for caption

To download high-resolution, print-ready JPEG images, click on the thumbnail image above. WARNING: these images are very large (800K+) Click here for caption

To download high-resolution, print-ready JPEG images, click on the thumbnail image above. WARNING: these images are very large (800K+) Click here for caption

    Business Editors
    MULTIMEDIA AVAILABLE:
    http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=4877433

    NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 2, 2005--Bankrate, Inc. (NASDAQ: RATE) today launched a newly-redesigned version of its Web site, www.bankrate.com. Bankrate's Web site is a one-of-kind resource for consumer advice and research on managing personal debt and savings. The Web site presents comparative rate information by geographic markets on a wide variety of financial categories, including mortgages, auto loans, credit card rates and savings products. Bankrate.com also features original personal finance editorial content and advice written by the company's award-winning editorial staff. As part of the new site, Bankrate also debuted two new content channels: Debt Management and College Finance.
    "We've made our site navigation easier and more intuitive for consumers," said Thomas R. Evans, President and CEO of Bankrate, Inc. "The new design does a better job of showcasing our "best-of-breed" rate tables and consequently provides a superior environment for our display and hyperlink advertising customers," Mr. Evans said. "The new Debt Management and College Finance channels broaden our editorial base, and represents an incremental business opportunity for Bankrate with our advertising clients," Mr. Evans added.

    Key areas of note for the redesign include:

--	A new user interface and navigation architecture which provides a better experience for both consumers and advertisers
--	An enhanced rate-search process with the ability to sort and compare mortgage lenders and rates
--	A new College Finance channel, including editorial content, advice and rate tables
--	A new Debt Management (sub-prime/problem credit) channel, including editorial content, advice and interest-rate offerings
--	Added nine content tutorials on the basics of personal finance including managing your debt, saving for college, securing a mortgage and buying a car
--	Increased the number of Internet Advertising Bureau (IAB) compliant ad formats, which will allow for greater flexibility and opportunity of advertisers

    Bankrate's internal design and development team built the new Web site in conjunction with consultants from Mark Russell Associates. The redesign team conducted consumer research and usability testing to develop the architecture, feature-set, and look and feel of the new site.

    About Bankrate, Inc.

    Bankrate, Inc. (NASDAQ:RATE) owns and operates Bankrate.com, the Internet's leading consumer banking marketplace. Bankrate.com is a destination site of personal finance channels, including banking, investing, taxes and mortgages. It is the leading aggregator of more than 300 financial products, including mortgages, credit cards, new and used auto loans, money market accounts and CDs, checking and ATM fees, home equity loans and online banking fees. In 2005, Bankrate expanded its offering by adding two new channels: Debt Management and College Finance. Bankrate.com reviews more than 4,800 financial institutions in more than 580 markets in 50 states. In 2004, Bankrate.com had over 38 million unique visitors. Bankrate.com provides financial applications and information to a network of more than 75 partners, including Yahoo! (NASDAQ: YHOO), America Online (NYSE: TWX), The Wall Street Journal (NYSE: DJ) and The New York Times (NYSE: NYT). Bankrate.com's information is also distributed through more than 100 national and state publications.

MULTIMEDIA AVAILABLE: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=4877433

--30--KL/ny*

CONTACT: Bankrate, Inc. Bruce Zanca, 917-368-8648 bzanca@bankrate.com www.bankrate.com/broadcast

KEYWORD: NEW YORK INDUSTRY KEYWORD: ADVERTISING/MARKETING BANKING NETWORKING INTERNET E-COMMERCE PRODUCT PHOTO PHOTOWIRE SOURCE: Bankrate, Inc. PHOTO: 44484

Copyright Business Wire 2005