H&R Block Partners with Credit Unions to Provide Convenient Tax Prep Service

Mar 6, 2002
KANSAS CITY, Mo., Mar 6, 2002 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ --

Credit Union Members Benefit from Money-Saving Offers, Educational Seminars And On-Site Tax Professionals

Tax services leader H&R Block (NYSE: HRB) has partnered with credit unions across the country to make personal tax preparation cost-effective and more convenient than ever this year for 1.5 million credit union members. Block worked with participating credit unions, including Patelco, GTE and TRW, to tailor product offerings that best suit the needs of their members.

The individual relationships include some or all of the following services -

-- A series of free educational seminars held on-site at credit unions. The series covers a range of topics including recent tax law changes, Rapid Refund options and taxpayer rights. (Special prices on tax services are available at credit union branches, at H&R Block retail stores with presentation of credit union membership, or through an Online Tax Center.)
-- Concierge service - H&R Block tax professionals keep regular office hours at credit union branches throughout tax season.
-- Special prices arranged for credit union members on a comprehensive suite of tax preparation services.
-- Access from credit union Web sites to an Online Tax Center powered by H&R Block, complete with tax calculators and pertinent tax preparation information.

"The convenience of tax preparation has come a long way," says Ed Callahan, chief executive officer - Patelco Credit Union. "Patelco members can now access H&R Block's specially priced services online, at retail stores, or inside one of several Patelco branches. We are pleased to offer these value-added services to our members."

"Through these partnerships, H&R Block provides valuable and convenient tax services to an additional 1.5 million Americans," says David Byers, senior vice president and chief marketing officer, H&R Block. "The program has been very successful, and we look forward to adding more credit unions."

Participating credit unions include Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union, Bellco Financial Services, CommunityAmerica Credit Union, First Tech Credit Union, GTE Federal Credit Union, Nevada Federal Credit Union, New Mexico Educators Federal Credit Union, Patelco, Public Service Credit Union, Sun East Federal Credit Union, Teachers Credit Union, TRW Systems Federal Credit Union, Tropical Financial Credit Union, U-Lane-O Credit Union and Wright-Patt Credit Union.

About H&R Block

H&R Block Inc. is a diversified company with subsidiaries providing a wide range of financial products and services. In 2001, H&R Block served 19.2 million taxpayers - more than any tax or accounting firm -- through its more than 10,400 offices located in the United States, Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom. H&R Block served another 2.3 million tax clients through its award-winning TaxCut(R) software program and through its online tax preparation services. Investment services and securities products are offered through H&R Block Financial Advisors Inc., member NYSE, SIPC.

H&R Block Inc. is not a registered broker-dealer. H&R Block Mortgage Corporation and Option One Mortgage Corporation offer a wide range of home mortgage products. RSM McGladrey Inc. is a national accounting, tax and consulting firm with more than 100 offices nationwide, as well as an affiliation with 550 offices in 75 countries as the U.S. member of RSM International. Quarterly results and other information are available on the company's Web site at www.hrblock.com .

SOURCE H&R Block Inc.

CONTACT:

Janine Smiley of H&R Block, +1-816-932-4871, jsmiley@hrblock.com URL: http://www.hrblock.com

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