METLIFE BROKER-DEALER EXPANDS “EASE OF DOING BUSINESS” BY LAUNCHING eApp AND ELECTRONIC SIGNATURE ACROSS ITS OPERATIONS

METLIFE BROKER-DEALER EXPANDS “EASE OF DOING BUSINESS” BY LAUNCHING eApp AND ELECTRONIC SIGNATURE ACROSS ITS OPERATIONS

NEW YORK, June 03, 2009

Today, the MetLife Broker-Dealer Group announced that it has launched an innovative electronic business processing system for its broker-dealer operations. Known as eApp (Electronic Application) and eApp with Electronic Signature option, the system reduces paper and speeds up the application process, making it even easier for registered representatives to do business with MetLife.

eApp streamlines the application process by warehousing applicable business forms in a single electronic repository, making paper copies unnecessary. Registered representatives generally can eliminate the need to print an electronic form in order to capture a signature approval. Instead, both the client and the representative can secure Electronic Signature in a natural, faster manner. It also performs systematic validation after the representative completes the electronic form, and immediately notifies the representative of missing information and provides limited suitability references. Additionally, eApp is also available on the Wealth Management Services (WMS) platform, MetLife Broker-Dealer Group’s proprietary investment advisory product platform.

“We have made significant strides in our technology to help our registered representatives improve the way they manage and conduct their businesses,” said John J. Brett, Senior Vice President of the MetLife Broker-Dealer Group. “We have already received positive reviews from producers who see this as the future of business processing. These user-friendly electronic applications also help reduce the paper-intensive processes that is so part of our producers’ businesses, thereby allowing them to go back to what is most important to them – their clients.”

To facilitate straight-through processing, MetLife Broker-Dealer Group integrated Interlink Electronics’ Electronic Signature solution into the eApp platform. At the heart of the Electronic Signature functionality is Interlink’s IntegriSign Electronic Signature software: once a handwritten electronic signature is captured with Interlink’s ePad-ink signature capture device, IntegriSign permanently binds the Electronic Signature to the document, creating a secure and tamper-proof form that can then be electronically routed through the MetLife Broker-Dealer Group back office.

“MetLife is giving their registered representatives such a competitive advantage,” said Rod Vesling, Senior Vice President for eTransactions at Interlink. “By having access to a 100 percent electronic process, their advisors can not only be more efficient, they can also reduce their costs while providing a more enjoyable experience for their clients.”

eApp also offers the following functionalities:

• Increase back-office efficiencies due to reductions in “not of good order” (NOGO) applications
• Ability to complete fillable forms online
• Automatic population of existing client information in forms to reduce redundancies
• Systematic population of client information across several forms eliminating the need to enter information multiple times
• Validating the forms for completeness and accuracy; in addition to providing the producer suitability guidance before submission through the MetLife Broker-Dealer Group operations.
• Securely, electronically signing documents with the Interlink solution gives representatives access to a straight-through process
   

“Additionally, moving toward an electronic, paperless processing system moves MetLife as an Enterprise closer to its overall goals regarding the implementation and practice of green initiatives; and promotion of environmental responsibility in our day-to-day operations,” states Bob Begun, vice president of operations for the MetLife Broker-Dealer Group.

MetLife Broker-Dealer Group consists of more than 13,000 registered representatives affiliated with MetLife’s FINRA-registered broker-dealers who sell MetLife products through five distribution channels, including MetLife Securities; MetLife Resources; New England Financial; Walnut Street Securities; and Tower Square Securities.