Business Wire, May 11, 1999

Business Wire, March 9, 2001

Business Editors

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 9, 2001

Sonoma Financial Corporation/SHC Corp. (OTCBB: SONM- news), one of the largest payday advance operations in the greater Chicago area, announces today they have received approval in the following states: Wisconsin, New Jersey, Arkansas and New Mexico.

"The plan for a national roll-out of our franchise program is on target," stated Terrence L. Donati, President, Sonoma Financial Corp. "We are expecting in the upcoming weeks to have approval in several more states," continued Donati.

Persons interested in obtaining a full franchise package contact Money Market Payday Express Franchising, Inc. at 847-562-0041 x 18.

About Sonoma Financial Corporation:

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) a shareholder.

Safe Harbor Disclaimer:

This release may contain certain 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 Securities and Exchange Commission