Business Wire, May 11, 1999

Business Wire, April 18, 2000

Business Editors

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 18, 2000

Sonoma Financial Corporation/VictorMaxx Technologies, Inc. (OTCBB:VMAX) announced today that the company has experienced 33% revenue growth in March of 2000 versus March 1999. This follows reported gains of 30% in February of 1999.

Terry Donati, Sonoma's President & CEO explained, "In 1999, Sonoma completed a number of acquisitions, while adding new store locations. The total potential revenues from those stores has not yet been realized. We expect to see strong growth as we lower cost and improve cash management at each location."

In a related matter, Sonoma Financial's E-star Systems, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Sonoma, has successfullly completed its computer system upgrades. E-Star is focused on delivering valuable collections services to the short-term-loan business community.

Terry Donati said, "making loans is only part of our business. Concentrating on our collection subsidiaries will help us to continue our growth."

Sonoma Financial Corporation operates three subsidiaries, two of which focus on consumer lending and one is a collection agency. Payday Check Advance, Inc. and Money Market, Inc. are financial service companies that operate a chain of stores devoted to providing low documentation, short-term consumer loans. Sonoma intends to become the national leader in the "Payday Loan" market by strategic acquisition and penetrating new markets. E-Star Systems, Inc., is an industry specific collection service addressing the needs of the short-term loan industry. Sonoma Financial is currently the only publicly traded company with a sole focus on `payday advances'. ACE (NASDAQ:AACE), First Cash Financial Services (NASDAQ:FCFS) and Pinnacle Business Management (OTCBB:PCBM), have proven the viability of the concept in other markets, but are not specifically focused in this area. American Nortel Communications (OTCBB:ARTM) is a shareholder.

Safe Harbor Disclaimer:

This release may contain forward-looking statements regarding the Company's expected performance for future periods, and actual results for such periods may materially differ. Such forward-looking statements involve certain risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to risks of changing market conditions in the overall economy and the industry, consumer demand, additional financing requirements, the opening of new stores, the success of the Company's acquisition strategy and other uncertainties detailed in the Company's filings with the Securitites and Exchange Commission.