Baltimore Small Business Owners Optimistic About Future and Confident They Will Meet Financial Goals Next Year, Says MasterCard International; Area Small Businesses Agree that Technology Creates Financial Opportunities and Provides a Competitive Edge.

BALTIMORE -- The results of a new survey released today by MasterCard International reveal that a majority of Baltimore small business owners are optimistic about today's economic environment and the outlook of their small businesses. Although many identify challenges to future success, most say technology plays a critical role in their business's future.

Highlights of the MasterCard Baltimore small business survey include:

--Although over half say that it is harder for small business owners to be successful compared to one year ago, 65 percent of Baltimore small business owners feel that their business's future outlook is extremely promising

--Fifty-six percent say they would encourage a friend who was interested in starting a small business to do so now, rather than waiting another year.

--While 56 percent say monthly business expenditures have increased over the past year, over half are confident that their businesses will meet their financial goals next year.

--When asked to evaluate the role of technology in their business's success, 83 percent agree that technology creates financial opportunities for small businesses.

--Seventy-six percent say organizations that weave technology into their culture gain a competitive advantage, however only 14 percent believe they are on the leading edge of technology adoption in their field.

"MasterCard is committed to providing small business owners across the country tools and insight to help them tackle the variety of challenges they face everyday to advance their businesses," said Bruno Perreault, Senior Vice President, Small and Mid-Sized Enterprise Segment, MasterCard International. "This research shows us that Baltimore small business owners recognize the role technology can play to help them effectively juggle the wide range of responsibilities it takes to manage their business and get ahead of the competition."

This year, as part of its 'Get Wired' campaign, MasterCard is offering insights and tools to help small business owners take advantage of available technologies. In September, MasterCard launched the first-ever 'Get Wired' sweepstakes* which gives small business owners in the U.S. and Canada a chance to win a complete technology makeover as well as a technology expert to help put it all together. Small business owners are automatically entered into the sweepstakes each time they use their MasterCard BusinessCard or Debit MasterCard BusinessCard between September 1 and November 30, 2005.

Also, as part of the 'Get Wired' campaign, MasterCard is hosting a series of educational seminars for small businesses in select cities across the country. Today, the 'MasterCard Small Business Technology Download,' comes to Baltimore. This educational and networking seminar for small businesses in the Baltimore area will feature Janice Chen, Editor in Chief of Computer Shopper magazine and Editor at Large at CNET.com. Ms. Chen will be discussing emerging technologies that will significantly impact small businesses. As part of the morning program, MasterCard will present additional research from its study of Baltimore small business owners, and Chase Bank USA, N.A. will discuss local initiatives to support small business in the community.

Mr. Perreault continued, "We know that for small business owners, who consider time one of the most precious commodities, the most valuable solutions are those that help them increase efficiencies. MasterCard's 'Get Wired' sweepstakes and 'Technology Download' event in Baltimore are important ways we are helping small business owners address this key challenge."

The 'MasterCard Small Business Technology Download' takes place today from 7:30-10:00 a.m. at the Sheppard Pratt Conference Center and is free for area small business owners, although an RSVP is required. For more information go to http://baltimore.bizjournals.com/baltimore/event/1878

* No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited. Sweepstakes starts 9/1/2005 and ends 5:59 p.m. (Eastern Time) on 11/30/05. Restrictions apply. PIN-based and selected other transactions excluded. See official rules for details. Official Rules available at participating issuers or at www.mastercardbusiness.com/techmakeover.

About MasterCard International

MasterCard International is a leading global payments solutions company that provides a broad variety of innovative services in support of our global members' credit, deposit access, electronic cash, business-to-business and related payment programs. MasterCard manages a family of well-known, widely accepted payment card brands including MasterCard(R), Maestro(R) and Cirrus(R) and serves financial institutions, consumers and businesses in over 210 countries and territories. The MasterCard award-winning Priceless(R) advertising campaign is now seen in 105 countries and in 48 languages, giving the MasterCard brand a truly global reach and scope. For more information go to www.mastercardinternational.com.