Thursday October 5, 9:02 am Eastern Time Press Release Newtek Invests in NicheDirectories, Llc NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 5, 2000--Newtek Capital, Inc. (AMEX: NKC - news) today announced an investment in NicheDirectories, LLC, (www.nichedirectories.com) located in Boca Raton, Florida. NicheDirectories is an online service provider and informational directory for the summer camp industry.

Founded in 1995 by Kim N. Bregman and Nancy LaPook Diamond, NicheDirectories LLC publishes online family-oriented informational directories. KidsCamps.com (www.kidscamps.com), their flagship brand, is a prominent online directory for information on summer camps and experiences for children. The company also publishes CampJobs.com, a job posting site for the camping industry, GrownUpCamps.com, a directory of recreational and instructional programs for adults, RetreatSearch.com, an online directory of alternative meeting sites for seminars, reunions and picnics, and the e-commerce sites CampersMall.com and CampDirectorsMall.com.

The funds from the investment will be used to develop further the technology platform, strategic initiatives and corporate infrastructure and hire key employees. Jonathan Halpern, Vice President of Business Development at Newtek Capital, stated: ``The founders of NicheDirectories have done an exceptional job of introducing technology solutions to the camp marketplace and are well positioned to capitalize from their market leader position.''

Scott J. Saunders of Balcom Media Corp. who advised NicheDirectories, LLC in the transaction, stated: ``The investment and value added services provided by Newtek Capital should enable NicheDirectories to accelerate its product offerings to the marketplace.''

Newtek Capital, Inc. creates non-dilutive capital through the operation of five certified capital companies (CAPCOs) in four states. It operates as a holding company for its CAPCOs and a network of partner companies in a collaborative and coordinated effort to develop successful businesses in a number of emerging and technologically driven markets. Newtek is currently in the market with two CAPCO private offerings in New York and Louisiana.