Merchant Services and Alternative Payment Processing Solutions Now Available to EPIC Affiliated Offices

Olympia, Wash. (July 2009) – Ear Professionals International Corporation (EPIC), a nationwide network of hearing healthcare physicians and audiologists, and Fast Transact Inc., a leading provider of merchant services and payment software integration, today announced a strategic partnership in which Fast Transact is a preferred provider for credit card transaction processing.

Fast Transact has done extensive market research to look at unique areas where merchant services and payment gateway technology is lacking. The agreement to partner is an example of both parties commitment to deliver straightforward, meaningful value and overall cost savings to the healthcare marketplace. Well known as an expert in PCI compliance, Fast Transact educates their clients on every component of a merchant account and data security, to the very basics of how the transaction process works. Their customer service and technical support teams are also available if a merchant has questions about gateway integration, terminal downloads, or needs additional information on products and services.

Fast Transact now offers EPIC members a seamless solution for retail and Internet bankcard processing and puts users in better control of identity information that requires the highest degree of privacy protection. EPIC’s network of provider offices can apply online for a Fast Transact merchant account and hear back within 24 hours. They will have a single processor for all their credit card processing needs and will benefit from a fully integrated Payment/Customer Management System for backend office support.

EPIC physicians and audiologists pioneered and developed many of the current treatments for hearing loss and are recognized nationally as leaders in professional education, hearing diagnostics and interventions. In following with EPIC Hearing Health Care Network’s tradition to provide an unprecedented standard for high quality hearing health care, the alliance with Fast Transact seemed to be a natural step in expanding their product and service offerings to process credit card payments.

“Fast Transact not only saves time and money, but they assure security and integrity throughout the credit card process,” stated Brad H. Volkmer, EPIC Hearing’s President/CEO. “Moreover, their online reporting and review utilities make it a snap to know your credit card business in this current environment of ‘plastic payments’. It doesn’t get any better than this,” he added.

"We are enthusiastic about the agreement with EPIC’s Healthcare Network and its potential. Their products have an excellent reputation in the marketplace and we are honored to be a Preferred Provider," commented David Solomon, Fast Transact’s CEO/President. “What makes this exciting for the very large market of healthcare providers is the marriage of service and technology. We will be marketing in tandem with EPIC to ensure that each one of their clients fully appreciates the value we provide, not only in the smooth integration to customized payment processing solutions, but also in competitive pricing and transaction data security."

ABOUT EPIC HEARING HEALTHCARE
Ear Professionals International Corporation (EPIC) is a national alliance of over 3,500 Ear Physicians and Audiologists dedicated to the provision of high quality hearing healthcare throughout the country. Doing business as EPIC Hearing Healthcare, EPIC offers the first true hearing healthcare specialty benefit plans in the nation, the EPIC Hearing Service Plans (HSP). The EPIC HSP provides the hearing care and treatments poorly covered or uncovered by most insurance plans. The EPIC HSP is available in all 50 states. For more information or to learn more about the EPIC Hearing Service Plans, please visit www.epichearing.com.

ABOUT FAST TRANSACT, INC.
Founded in 2002, and privately owned and operated, Fast Transact, Inc. is a registered ISO / MSP of Harris N.A., Chicago IL, Wells Fargo, N.A., Walnut Creek CA, and US Bank Canada. FAST TRANSACT provides nationwide retail and Internet merchant account services throughout the U.S. and Canada, payment gateways and software integration for processing credit cards and debit bankcards, ACH check services, affiliate partnership programs, and gift card / loyalty card programs. FAST TRANSACT is a registered trademark of Fast Transact, Inc. For more information, visit www.fasttransact.com .

CONTACT INFORMATION:
Brad H. Volkmer, President/CEO - EPIC Hearing Healthcare - 877-606-3742
Susan Ramirez, Director Business Development & Operations - EPIC Hearing Healthcare - 877-606-3742
David Solomon, President / CEO - Fast Transact, Inc. - 800.687.8505
Jeffrey S. Kohoutek, Senior Account Representative - Fast Transact, Inc. - 800.687.8505

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