Bank One introducing money access cards for small business; ATM and checking cards offer more convenience to business owners.

CLEVELAND--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 1, 1996--Bank One is introducing two money access cards that offer more convenience to small business owners in making deposits and withdrawals, purchasing smaller-ticket items and tracking company expenses.

Starting today, the bank will offer small business owners ATM and checking cards that historically have only been available to individual consumers, not businesses. There are no annual or monthly fees, nor are there any additional transaction fees associated with using the cards.

"Small business owners work around the clock and may want to conduct their business banking outside traditional office hours and locations," said David L. Stith, chairman, president & CEO of Bank One, Cleveland and head of Bank One's business banking activities in Ohio, West Virginia, and Kentucky. "Through the use of a Bank One business checking card, they now will be able to deposit up to 30 items and move funds between their business accounts through an ATM."

The ONE Business Card is a full function checking card carying the VISA logo that can be used for business purchases anywhere VISA is accepted. Other features include the ability to deposit up to 30 items at any Bank One ATM, make withdrawals from any ATM, and transfer funds among Bank One business checking and business savings accounts. Business customers can also place their color photo and digitized signature on the front of these cards for added security and identification.

"The ONE Business Card can eliminate the need for petty cash or writing checks for small purchases, and offers a better tracking system for expenses," Stith continued. "Customers will get a receipt for their ATM deposits, which they do not receive when making deposits at night drop boxes."

A second card, the Bank One Business Money Access Card, is also being introduced today. It is a deposit and withdrawal card.

Bank One's business cards are just one in a series of recent developments aimed at small business customers:

- The bank has introduced a telephone tax payment service to help small businesses comply with the new IRS mandate to make tax payments electronically.

- It's making available a PC-based money management tool called the Bank One Business Information Manager.

- It's reorganized its business banking department to give customers greater leeway in choosing how they prefer to conduct business - through financial centers, via one-stop shopping with relationship managers, or through remote channels such as Loan-by-Phone and telephone banking.

According to recent national surveys, Bank One ranks among the top three small business lenders in America. The business cards being introduced are another way to broaden the overall business services that the bank provides.

More information about the new cards is available at any Bank One office.

CONTACT: Bank One, Cleveland

Neil Cotiaux, 216/348-6637