Ameriprise Financial Issues Statement on Stolen Laptop.

MINNEAPOLIS -- Ameriprise Financial, Inc. (NYSE:AMP) announced today that it has mailed notification letters to approximately 158,000 clients whose names and internal Ameriprise Financial account identification numbers were stored in a data file on an Ameriprise Financial laptop computer that was stolen recently from an employee's locked vehicle parked in an offsite location. It also made notifications to current and former financial advisors whose names and Social Security numbers were in a separate data file on the same computer. No other client or advisor identifying information was on the computer.

Ameriprise Financial has received no reports that information lost in the theft has been used improperly, and the company has been working closely with law enforcement authorities to recover the laptop. Based on what is known, especially the facts surrounding the theft, Ameriprise Financial believes this was a random criminal act and that it's very unlikely the information will be misused or even discovered. Furthermore, the company said that client accounts could not be accessed with the information stored on the files, since the company does not allow access to accounts via account numbers without additional personal information provided only by the client.

For clients

As we stated in the client notification letter, the file contained the client's name and internal Ameriprise Financial account identification numbers. The file did not include any other personal identity information such as Social Security number, address, phone number, birth date, etc. The file also did not contain information from any accounts outside of Ameriprise Financial such as credit card numbers, bank account information, etc.

As a precautionary measure, Ameriprise Financial is taking a number of steps to assist affected individuals in proactively protecting their personal information. For clients, heightened scrutiny on account access is being implemented and a dedicated website has been established to answer client questions.

For advisors

As we stated in the advisor notification letter, the file in question included the advisor's name and Social Security number. The file did not include any other personal identity information such as address, phone number, birth date, etc. The file also did not contain information from any Ameriprise Financial accounts or on any accounts outside of Ameriprise Financial such as credit card numbers, bank account information, etc. For affected current and former advisors, a separate website has also been established, and a credit monitoring program has been offered, at no cost for one year, for those individuals.

Brian Heath, President, U.S. Advisor Group, Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc., said, "We take our responsibility to safeguard personal information very seriously. Although the risk of misuse of the data contained in these files is very low, we apologize for any inconvenience or concern this situation may cause. We have made every effort to notify affected individuals and to make them aware of the situation and the steps we are taking."

About Ameriprise Financial, Inc.

Ameriprise Financial is one of the nation's leading financial planning, asset management and insurance companies. Through its nationwide network of more than 10,000 financial advisors, Ameriprise Financial delivers solutions to clients through a comprehensive and personalized financial planning approach built on a long-term relationship with a knowledgeable advisor. The company specializes in meeting the retirement-related financial needs of the mass affluent. For more information visit www.ameriprise.com.

Financial advisory services and investments available through Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. Member NASD and SIPC. RiverSource insurance and annuities issued by IDS Life Insurance Company, and in New York only, IDS Life Insurance of New York, Albany, New York. These companies are part of Ameriprise Financial, Inc.