Media Contact:    Beverly Fox, Economic Development Office
                            (941) 338-3161
                            Don Antle, Regal Discount Securities
                            (941) 790-8320

Fort Myers, Fla. (March 22, 2001) – Regal Discount Securities, a Chicago-based discount brokerage company, opens a new office in Fort Myers today. It will serve as the regional headquarters for Investrade, Regal’s deep discount Internet stock brokerage division, as well as an outlet for the low cost broker-assisted investment services that the founding company has offered for 25 years. The local office will celebrate with a ribbon cutting on March 22 at its new location in Royal Palm Square, 1400 Colonial Blvd., Suite 14.

Investrade, which is known for its extremely low commission rates, offers electronic trading of stocks, options and mutual funds through the Internet, wireless and automated touch-tone systems. According to Smart Money magazine, Investrade offers the lowest commissions among brokers in its class.

"Our customers have access to their accounts online 24 hours a day through Investrade and can always talk to a broker during regular business hours," says George Bokios, president of Regal. "That’s what sets us apart from other brokers. We offer a higher level of service than the traditional discount broker and our rates are among the lowest online nationally."

Investrade’s parent company, Regal, was founded in Chicago in 1976 by Bokios who is one of the founding members of the Chicago Board Options Exchange. Regal’s Lee County office, which is expected to employ more than 50 people, will serve as a headquarters for the company’s operations in the southeastern United States.

"We look forward to doing business in Lee County," says Don Antle, director of marketing for Regal. "The strong workforce and highly-developed infrastructure make the business environment here very appealing."

"Regal has been considering this expansion for several years," says Janet Watermeier, director of the Lee County Economic Development Office. "The environment here seems to suit their needs perfectly, and we are pleased to have them in Lee County. In addition to bringing a quality investment service to the area, the company will have an economic impact of more than $3 million a year."

"Regal is a welcome addition to the Fort Myers business community," says Jim Humphrey, Mayor of Fort Myers. "New organizations such as Regal bring valuable services and jobs to our growing city."

Job openings for Regal Discount Securities include customer service representatives and salaried positions for licensed brokers. If you are interested in a position with the company, please fax a resume to (941) 790-8383.