ESSILOR AND VSP CONTRIBUTE $20 MILLION TO FUND VISION LOANS
Innovative program helps eye doctors purchase their first practice
DALLAS – (June 27, 2008) – Today Essilor, VSP® Vision Care and Vision One Credit Union announce Essilor will join the Vision Loans® program that provides loans to private-practice eye doctors. Essilor and VSP Vision Care have collectively committed up to $20 million to this innovative program that provides financing for private-practice eye doctors to purchase their first practice, pay salaries for new associates, and fund partnership buy-ins or down payments.

“Essilor is excited to partner with Vision One Credit Union and VSP Vision Care to help further this unique program to the eyecare industry,” said John Carrier, president of Essilor of America. “The favorable terms of Vision Loans can enable first-time practitioners to enter ownership almost immediately after graduation.”

Vision Loans provide the following funds for first-time buyers:
• Partnership Buy-ins: These loans provide doctors with the funds necessary to purchase an ownership interest in an existing practice.
• Practice Purchases: Doctors may use Vision Loans in conjunction with existing Vision One loan programs to purchase 100% of a private practice.
• Down payments: Doctors needing help with a down payment to buy all or part of an existing practice may qualify for this program.
• Practice Expansion: Doctors needing assistance with their practices may be able to obtain a loan to pay for hiring an associate optometrist, especially as part of a transition plan.

“This financial commitment from VSP and Essilor is an important development that supports the continued success of private practice eyecare," says VSP President and CEO Rob Lynch. “Our combined $20 million will directly help doctors attain their goals of owning a private practice, expanding their business, and implementing succession plans.”

Vision Loans funding is available to private-practice doctors in all fifty states and Washington, D.C. Bob Schultz, CEO of Vision One Credit Union says, “The addition of Essilor to the Vision Loans program helps further our goal of providing favorable financing for first-time, private-practice buyers.”

Loan payments are used to fund future loans to qualified eye doctors seeking private practice ownership and are subject to Vision One Credit Union’s credit approval, standard documentation, and other requirements. For more information about Vision Loans, contact Vision One at 800.327.2628 or visit www.visionone.org.