ECHO Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday September 25, 2001

ECHO Reconfirms Stock Repurchase Program

Agoura Hills Calif., September 25, 2001 – Electronic Clearing House, Inc. (“ECHO”) (NASDAQ:ECHOD), a leading provider of electronic payment systems, today announced that it would repurchase up to approximately 188,000 of its common shares as market conditions warrant, pursuant to the Company’s existing share repurchase plan.  

ECHO’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to 1 million shares in March of 2001, equivalent to 250,000 current shares following a 1-for-4 reverse stock split. During the first nine months of ECHO’s current fiscal year the Company used $300,000 for stock repurchases. 

Joel M. Barry, ECHO’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, stated, “Given the enormous uncertainty in the equity markets following the tragic events on September 11th, ECHO stands ready to repurchase our common shares and provide stability as market conditions dictate.” 

Mr. Barry continued, “ECHO’s payment processing systems are functioning normally and our financial condition remains strong. Given the Company’s recent solid sales growth and opportunities to rapidly expand our check-related services, we believe ECHO will continue to demonstrate progress with these initiatives and prosper as our nation regroups and rebuilds.” 

On September 11, 2001, the Company’s trading symbol was changed from “ECHOC” to “ECHOD.”

About ECHO:

Electronic Clearing House Inc. provides debit and credit card processing, check guarantee, check verification, check conversion, check re-presentment, check collection and inventory tracking to more than 60,000 retail merchants and U-Haul dealers across the nation.

Safe Harbor Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Any statements set forth above that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, such factors as successful completion of the Visa POS check service pilot program, acceptance of the service by Visa member banks, fluctuations in demand for the company's products and services, the introduction of new products and services, the company's ability to maintain customer and strategic business relationships, technological advancements, impact of competitive products and services and pricing, growth in targeted markets and other information detailed from time to time in the company's filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

Investor Contacts:

Donna Rehman, Corporate Secretary 
Electronic Clearing House, Inc.
818-706-8999, ext. 3033 
Agoura Hills, Calif. 
E-MAIL: corp@ECHO-inc.com
URL: http://www.ECHO-inc.com

Crocker Coulson, Partner
Coffin Communications Group
818-789-0100
E-MAIL: crocker.coulson@coffincg.com

Press Releases are also available by calling (800) 233-0406 ext. 3033, or by email to corp@echo-inc.com

2001
2000

Electronic Clearing House, Inc. (ECHO)
28001 Dorothy Drive
Agoura Hills, CA 91301

Phone: (800) 233-0406
Fax: (818) 991-5973
E-Mail: echo@echo-inc.com
URL: http://www.echo-inc.com