The LendingTree Foundation Appoints Executive Director

Sharon Fowler to Build on Financial Literacy Initiative with Launch of Inaugural Class

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Sep 30, 2010, 02:40 ET

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Sept. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- The LendingTree Foundation, a private, non-profit organization designed to provide personalized financial coaching to families in need, today announced the addition of Sharon Fowler as the new Executive Director. In her role, Fowler will launch The LendingTree Foundation's inaugural class, delivering on the promise of empowering clients in their personal financial lives via a proprietary curriculum and one-on-one coaching. Fowler joins The LendingTree team leveraging her previous experience with HOPE worldwide, where she was responsible for program development.

"We are thrilled to have Sharon lead The LendingTree Foundation and scale our efforts to bring financial education to those in need," said Doug Lebda, CEO of LendingTree.com. "Empowering customers to make smart financial decisions has been a core component of the LendingTree mission since I founded the company in 1998. The establishment of The LendingTree Foundation is a practical extension of our mission, providing customized assistance to help cash-strapped families get back on their feet."

"I am proud to join an organization that is giving families the hands-on education and tools they need to realize financial freedom and am looking forward to working with our inaugural class," said Fowler. "In this current economic climate, organizations like The LendingTree Foundation are more important than ever when it comes to getting our nation back on track."

The LendingTree Foundation was established in October 2009 and is comprised of two initiatives: The Financial Fitness Academy(SM) and the Financial Futures Fund(SM). The Financial Fitness Academy is a personalized, five-step curriculum that matches participants with volunteer financial coaches. The free curriculum features actionable lessons on reducing expenses, setting goals, paying off debt and saving for the future.

In addition to working one-on-one with a personal finance coach, Financial Fitness Academy participants are enrolled in a match-based Individual Development Account (IDA), sponsored by The LendingTree Foundation's Financial Futures Fund. Providing an incentive to save, participants will receive a dollar-for-dollar match until they have reached their savings goal.

For more information about The LendingTree Foundation, the Financial Fitness Academy, and the Financial Futures Fund, please visit www.LendingTreeFoundation.org or contact Sharon Fowler at [email protected] or 704-943- 8430.

About LendingTree, LLC

LendingTree, LLC is the nation's leading online lender exchange and personal finance resource, helping consumers take charge of all their financial decisions, from budgeting to money management to mortgages to credit cards and more. LendingTree provides a marketplace that connects consumers with multiple lenders that compete for their business, as well as an array of online tools to aid consumers in their financial decisions. Since inception, LendingTree has facilitated more than 27 million loan requests and $207 billion in closed loan transactions. LendingTree, LLC is a subsidiary of Tree.com, Inc. (NASDAQ: TREE). For more information go to www.lendingtree.com or 800-555-TREE.

About The LendingTree Foundation

Established in October 2009, The LendingTree Foundation is a private non-profit foundation created by LendingTree to empower individuals and families to take control of their personal financial lives by providing education, action, and support services. The Foundation is composed of two free of charge components: the Financial Fitness Academy(SM) and the Financial Futures Fund(SM). The Financial Fitness Academy is a personalized curriculum that matches participants with a volunteer financial coach. Participants in the Financial Fitness Academy are also eligible to take advantage of Individual Development Accounts (IDAs), funded by the Financial Futures Fund.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Bethany Ciampa, Mullen

(617) 226-9950

[email protected]

SOURCE LendingTree, LLC