Capital One to Acquire North Fork Bancorporation

The combined company will be one of the 10 largest banks in the United States, based on deposits and managed loans, and the third-largest retail depository institution in the New York region, the nation's largest deposit market.

"North Fork is a great strategic fit with Capital One and brings balance and diversification to our company," said Richard D. Fairbank, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Capital One. "We're continuing to combine the power of national lending and local banking. North Fork provides us with a proven franchise and a strong growth platform in the largest banking market in America. Our highest priority will be the successful integration of North Fork and the continued growth of our banking businesses in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Louisiana, and Texas."

Capital One, a financial holding company, is one of the nation's leading diversified financial services companies and through its subsidiary, Hibernia National Bank, operates more than 300 branches in Louisiana and Texas. North Fork, a bank holding company with operations in the greater New York region, provides a full range of financial products and services to its retail and commercial customers, including deposit products and consumer, business and mortgage loans, along with other services. With approximately $36.6 billion in deposits, as of December 31, 2005, and 355 branch locations throughout New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, North Fork is the third-largest depository institution in the greater New York region.

The combined company will have deposits of more than $84 billion, a managed loan portfolio of more than $143 billion, more than 50 million customer accounts, and 655 branches.

Fairbank said, "Small business is at the intersection of national lending and local banking. Capital One is already one of the nation's leaders in small business lending, and North Fork has a strong and growing small business franchise. With this transaction, we can accelerate growth in this attractive and profitable market and bring a full spectrum of banking services to small business customers through multiple channels."

The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2006. North Fork Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, John A. Kanas will become the President of Capital One's banking business, reporting directly to Capital One's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Richard D. Fairbank, and will join Capital One's Board of Directors. Herb Boydstun, President of Capital One's existing banking subsidiary, will report to Kanas and will continue to lead Capital One's banking business in Louisiana and Texas.

"I am especially pleased to welcome John Kanas, his outstanding management team, and North Fork's talented employees to Capital One. Under John's leadership over the last 35 years, North Fork has become one of America's premier banks. John's business acumen and operational excellence are legendary in banking. He will be a welcome addition to our senior management team and our Board. North Fork is known for its commitment to its customers, employees and communities and, working with John and his team, we expect to build on this legacy."

Fairbank added, "We remain committed to our banking strategy in Louisiana and Texas. Our integration of Hibernia continues to progress smoothly. We have a leading position in Louisiana and we're accelerating Hibernia's successful de novo growth strategy in the fastest growing markets in Texas. Under Herb's leadership, we'll continue to focus on building a winning banking business in those markets."

Kanas said, "I share Rich's vision for bringing together the best of Capital One and North Fork. Capital One already has over three million customer accounts in our footprint. Together, we can create great value for our shareholders and customers by combining Capital One's financial strength, national brand, massive customer base, leading financial products and marketing capabilities, with our strong business-oriented banking franchise. I'm incredibly proud of everything that we created as an independent company and I am committed to building the next generation of North Fork as part of Capital One."