Bank of America Launches Affinity Banking

"Over the years, we have cultivated affinity partnerships with thousands of organizations and are now able to create added value for affinity partners and customers," said Bruce Hammonds, president of Bank of America Card Services. "Bank of America's size and scale will help maximize relationships and revenue for our affinity partners by providing their members with a full range of financial products and services."

With the new offering, the bank intends to build a new consumer credit and deposit continuum and further fuel customer preference and loyalty. Bank of America customers can further support the organizations for which they are most passionate through their lines of credit and everyday checking and debit card transactions.

The following organizations, representing nearly 10 million members, are the first to sign agreements with Bank of America to offer affinity deposit and/or home equity products and services:

• American Quarter Horse Association
• Brown Alumni Association
• The District of Columbia Bar Association
• Defenders of Wildlife
• Habitat for Humanity International
• The Humane Society of the U.S.
• The Medical Society of the State of New York
• New York State Bar Association
• National Trust for Historic Preservation
• National Wildlife Federation
• National Wild Turkey Federation
• The University of Arizona Alumni Association

The affinity deposit product package includes the following benefits for customers:

• Choice of checking account and savings account with Keep the Change(TM)
• Special Affinity Advantage/Prime rates on CDs, IRAs and money market accounts
• Affinity name/logo on checks and statements Customized check card with affinity organization's logo (available in Q1 2007)

Beginning November 20, 2006, the new deposit products will be marketed to participating organization members and supporters online at group Web sites, and will be available at select banking centers in Dallas/Ft. Worth, Arkansas, Chicago, Southeastern Pennsylvania, New York City, Riverside and North Orange County, California. Affinity banking products are planned to roll out to banking centers nationwide in Q1 2007, and will include a greater number of partners as they are added throughout the year.

"January marks the one year anniversary of the Bank of America-MBNA merger and these new offerings demonstrate the power of that union," said Cathy Kenworthy, Deposits and Debit Products executive at Bank of America. "Now customers can deepen the passion they have for their favorite organization with competitive checking and savings products that also help them achieve their financial goals."

"Tens of thousands of supporters currently hold The Humane Society of the United States' affinity credit card, and that is a direct testament to the quality and value of the program," said Steve Putnam, VP Corporate Relations of The Humane Society of the U.S. "We couldn't ask for a better partner who cares more about the success of our program. The HSUS is extremely excited to begin offering our supporters additional affinity products from Bank of America that will help us expand our animal protection efforts."