EDISON, N.J., July 21, 2004 -- Nationwide(R) is enabling its life agents and distributors to streamline business processes by using Front Office(TM), a Web-based system from NaviSys Inc., the market leader in front-to-back-office solutions. The system enables Nationwide's distributors and agents -- more than 15,000 producers -- to use the Web-based tools to propose universal life, variable universal life, term and whole life products to their clients. Nationwide is upgrading its illustration system and will begin using the new system by early fall.

Nationwide will also implement in 2005 another component of the NaviSys Front Office(TM) suite, a Web-based electronic application that uses reflexive questioning to capture the information required for underwriting and policy issue. The application automatically accepts data from the illustration system, so representatives will need to enter customer data only once.

"The Web-based illustration system fits with our overall corporate strategy of providing producers access to the tools they need to make it easier to do business with Nationwide," said Peter Golato, senior vice president of Individual Protection at Nationwide. "Producers will have the option of running illustrations on their desktop or using the Web-based system. In addition, by combining the electronic application with the illustration component, Nationwide's producers will find it faster and easier to propose and submit new business."

John Gorman, executive vice president, NaviSys, said, "We are impressed with Nationwide's clear vision and willingness to innovate to streamline new business processing. We are proud to continue our long-standing relationship with a market leader such as Nationwide."

About Nationwide Financial(R)

Nationwide Financial Services (NYSE:NFS), a publicly traded company based in Columbus, Ohio, is a leading provider of investments,(1) life insurance, and retirement income services, as well as public- and private-sector retirement plans and services.

The Nationwide group of companies offers diversified insurance and financial services. The group is led by Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company, which is ranked No. 118 on the Fortune 500 based on 2003 revenue.(2) For more information, visit www.nationwide.com.

About NaviSys

Leading life insurers rely on NaviSys to streamline, simplify and transform their businesses. From front-line sales to back-office administration, NaviSys delivers advanced technology solutions that improve life insurers' operations, reduce IT costs and sharpen their competitive edge. NaviSys provides the talent, vision and commitment to help insurers' businesses to succeed.

NaviSys' platform-neutral software solutions and strategic counsel empower life insurance carriers and distributors to create, distribute and administer insurance products through multiple channels. Seventy-five percent of the largest domestic life and health insurers and over ninety percent of the top annuity providers are NaviSys clients. Companies such as AIG/American General, Guardian Life, Prudential, AIG/SunAmerica, TIAA-CREF and Western Southern rely on NaviSys' pre-built and customized solutions. NaviSys has offices in Edison, New Jersey and Ambler, Pennsylvania. www.navisys.com

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(1) Nationwide Investment Services Corporation, member NASD. In MI only: Nationwide Investment Svcs. Corporation.

(2) Fortune Magazine, April 2004

NaviSys
Gail Nelson, 800-775-3592 or 732-767-3601
gnelson@navisys.com