Some news from SmartHippo

We covered SmartHippo back during Finovate Startup, but wanted to update our readers on some exciting developments at their firm. Please see the attached press releases for more info.

SmartHippo names former LendingTree GM Lori Collins CEO
Previously grew revenues from $7 million to half a billion over seven years
SAN FRANCISCO, CA AND MONTREAL, CANADA -- October 14, 2009 -- SmartHippo,
the first web site that let consumers use the power of the community to shop for
financial products, announced today it has named Lori Collins as its new CEO.
“Weʼre very excited by Loriʼs unique experience in both the web and finance sectors,”
said Founder George Favvas, who will continue his involvement in the company as VP
Corporate Strategy. “Iʼm confident that with Lori at the helm we are well positioned for
our next phase of revenue growth.”
As General Manager of the LendingTree Exchange, Collins was responsible for sales,
relationship management, and product management for the LendingTree lender
network. She was part of the executive team which increased revenues from $7 million
to $476 million over seven years.
“SmartHippo has a very compelling business model,” Collins said. “Community-driven
product comparisons have become the norm in other industries, and Iʼm excited to be a
part of the company that is bringing these innovations to the financial space.”
Unlike intermediary web sites which match consumers with lenders based on business
relationships, SmartHippo is an open, transparent marketplace where consumers help
each other find the best financial products. They can ask questions, compare rates and
share reviews and experiences with other consumers and make a more informed
decision. Lenders and brokers participate by answering questions and posting rates,
and consumer feedback keeps them in check.
In another announcement today, SmartHippo announced it is expanding into the
Spanish market with the launch of HipoListo.es in partnership with Financialred
Network.

About SmartHippo
SmartHippo.com is the first-ever website that uses the power of community to help
consumers find the best mortgage rates and save money. SmartHippo allows any
individual to post information and feedback on the rate they received, and to compare
rates with other members of the community with similar profiles. Members of
SmartHippo can see real rates reported by real consumers, and sort through banks
based on feedback posted by other members of the community. The company is
privately held with offices in San Francisco and Montreal. www.smarthippo.com
Contact:
George Favvas
Founder and VP Corporate Strategy
george (at) smarthippo.com
(514) 242-5730
Media advisory: Lori Collins will be delivering the closing keynote at Startup Camp
Montreal tomorrow, October 15th. The event takes place at the Society for Arts and
Technology, 1195 Saint-Laurent boulevard, Montreal from 6pm to 11pm. Admission is
free. For info see: http://www.startupcampmontreal5.wikidot.com

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SmartHippo expands into Spain with launch of HipoListo.es
Joint venture with Financialred Networks poised to become leading player in market
SAN FRANCISCO, CA and MADRID, SPAIN -- October 14, 2009 -- SmartHippo, the
first web site that let consumers use the power of the community to shop for financial
products, announced today a strategic partnership with Financialred Networks which will
see the launch of HipoListo.es in the Spanish market.
Under the terms of the agreement, Financialred has acquired an exclusive license to
market the SmartHippo brand and technology platform in Spain.
“The web finance space is in its infancy in Spain and we believe we have an opportunity
to rapidly establish HipoListo as the dominant player in a market of 50 million
consumers” said Jesus Perez, Chief Strategy Officer of FinancialRed. “By leveraging
the SmartHippo platform we were able to significantly reduce our time to market.”
As part of the partnership, SmartHippo will manage the software platform while
Financialred focuses on localization and sales and marketing. As of todayʼs launch,
HipoListo.es mortgage vertical, with other verticals planned for early 2010, he added.
“Weʼre thrilled to be a partner in bringing the first social financial comparison shopping
engine to Spain,” said Lori Collins, CEO of SmartHippo. “Our partnership with
Financialred signifies our commitment to work with and drive profitability to media
companies with existing user bases.”
Separately today, SmartHippo announced that Collins, formerly GM at LendingTree, has
joined the company as its new CEO, taking over from George Favvas, who will remain
onboard as Founder and VP Corporate Strategy.

About SmartHippo
SmartHippo.com is the first-ever website that uses the power of community to help
consumers find the best mortgage rates and save money. SmartHippo allows any
individual to post information and feedback on the rate they received, and to compare
rates with other members of the community with similar profiles. Members of
SmartHippo can see real rates reported by real consumers, and sort through banks
based on feedback posted by other members of the community. The company is
privately held with offices in San Francisco and Montreal. www.smarthippo.com