Press Release May 12, 2000

Contact: Rob Schneider or Rafael Ayuso, ayusra@consumer.org (512) 477-4431 Consumers Union's Southwest Regional Office

"We applaud Judge Meurer's decision to require release of Nationwide's insurance redlining data. Consistent with the Public Information Act, release of this information will assure that the public has the ability to monitor the progress - or lack or progress - by the company in addressing insurance redlining. Nationwide, both in Texas and Virginia, has settled cases of alleged insurance redlining by agreeing to improve their writings in minority zip codes. In both cases, it was the work of public interest groups that first brought to light the allegations of redlining.

"We hope public release of this information is a signal that automobile insurance redlining data, tied up in litigation for nearly four years, will also finally be released to the public."