Lombard, Illinois, May 15, 2002 – FTR, Inc. ("FTR") was acquired by the Institute for International Research, Ltd ("IIR"). FTR was a wholly-owned subsidiary of Frontline Group Operating Company, Inc., a portfolio company of GTCR Golder Rauner, LLC ("GTCR"). FTR is a recognized leader in consulting, training, and coaching sales leaders of financial services organizations. FTR has broad financial services expertise, including: retail banking, call center financial services, commercial/business banking, S&Ls, credit unions, investment brokerage firms, and insurance companies. FTR's clients include medium to large financial institutions such as ABN AMRO North America, Morgan Stanley Dean Witter, Bank of Montreal, Harris Bank, Hibernia National Bank, Wachovia, and American Express Bank.

IIR is the world's largest international conference company with 120 different business units and 4,000 employees in 36 countries. IIR also has extensive performance improvement operations providing organizations with total learning and training solutions. The FTR transaction will enable IIR to leverage FTR's financial services expertise and content through its global distribution.

Duff & Phelps, LLC, a Chicago-based investment banking and financial advisory firm, initiated the transaction, assisted in negotiations, and served as the exclusive financial advisor to GTCR and FTR.