Packard Bell and Intuit Inc. (NASDAQ: INTU) have established a relationship to enable home PC users with Web browsers the ability to access the most up-to-date, personalized financial information. By double-clicking on an icon located on their desktop, Packard Bell users are instantly hot-linked to Intuit's Quicken.com Web site where they have free and unlimited use of financial tools and information that help them make the most of their money.
Packard Bell's relationship with Intuit is making it easier for consumers to better manage their financial lives. Quicken.com helps people make financial decisions in the areas of investing, banking, mortgages, investing, taxes, planning, insurance and more.
"Our customers frequently use their home computers for organizing household finances and budgets. Packard Bell is proud to work with Intuit in bringing the leading and most comprehensive financial service to our customers," said Mal Ransom, senior vice president, marketing, Packard Bell NEC.
"We are offering a unique service for consumers by providing personalized decision-making tools, an objective source of information and comparison shopping -- all free to Packard Bell customers and integrated in one place for convenience and efficiency," said Mark Goines, senior vice president, consumer finance division, Intuit.
With a double-click on the new quick-access icon, Packard Bell users are linked to Quicken.com, which features eight integrated and easy-to-use centers:
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Investments - Helps answer day-to-day investment questions, such as how investments are performing and how to identify and invest in the top mutual funds. The Quote Plus feature helps consumers make better investment decisions by giving them immediate access to highly relevant information about a company. The Mutual Fund Finder and Stock Searcher help people find investments that fit their needs. The Investment center also fully integrates all the mutual fund capability available at Intuit's former NETworth site.
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People & Chat - Provides an interactive community for people to talk with each other as well as with subject matter experts as they make important financial decisions. Features interactive communities on investing strategies, such as the new Armchair Millionaire. Also includes a feature by consumer champion Richard L. Katz.
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Home & Mortgage - Saves consumers time and money by enabling them to comparison shop online for a mortgage. Interactive tools help people answer the questions 'How Much House Can You Afford?', 'Should You Refinance Today?' and 'What are Today's Rates?'
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Banking & Borrowing - Helps people find great borrowing and savings deals on a variety of banking products. Special features within this center include Credit Report Guide and Our Top Picks, a guide to other useful banking and borrowing sites on the Web.
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Insurance - Lets consumers compare real-time life insurance quotes, get information, connect with agents and even buy a policy on-line from among the most recognized insurance companies in the nation.
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Retirement - Helps people calculate their needs during retirement and then gives a step-by-step approach to developing and implementing their retirement plan. Consumers can use the Retirement Planner to decide what investment allocations to make based on a personalized interview.
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Saving & Spending - Helps people create a budget, save money and manage their debt. Special features include a Debt Reduction Planner, a Financial Fitness Quiz and a Financial Health Checkup that provides financial help and tips tailored to individual needs.
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Tax - Provides tax help, forms, tools and information on-line. Tools and information include Tax Estimator, Tax Law Change Updates, Personal Tax Guide, Small Business Tax Guide, and Tax Calendar.
About Packard Bell NEC
Credited with having pioneered the mass marketing of PCs through the retail channel, Packard Bell brings innovative, affordable technology to the greatest number of homes in the world. Based in Sacramento, Calif., Packard Bell NEC, Inc. is the second largest computer manufacturer in the United States and one of the largest in the world. The company designs, manufacturers and markets a wide variety of desktop, notebook and mobile computers and network servers under the Packard Bell, NEC and Zenith Data Systems brands. The company's major manufacturing operations are in Sacramento; Fife, Washington; Angers, France; Penang, Malaysia; and Sydney, Australia. For more information on the Packard Bell brand, customers can call 1-800-73-5858 or visit www.packardbell.com on the World Wide Web.
