Bell Atlantic launches credit card designed to build customer loyalty; Card provides easy "1-2-3" cash back toward Bell Atlantic calls and services; Rewards issued on Visa Card spending and on Bell Atlantic calls/services.

today launched a new credit card that provides cardholders with cash back toward Bell Atlantic phone calls and services.

The new credit card is unique in that it rewards cardholders not only for charges on the card, but also for their spending on Bell Atlantic phone calls and services.

The Bell Atlantic(TM) Visa(R) card will provide Bell Atlantic customers who become cardholders with cash back toward their Bell Atlantic phone bill in the following ways:

o 1% for all purchases made with the Bell Atlantic Visa card;

o 2% on the Bell Atlantic portion of the cardholder's residential

phone bill; and

o 3% for calls made on the Bell Atlantic(R) IQ(R) calling card or on

the Bell Atlantic Visa card. The Bell Atlantic Visa card can be used

as a calling card when the cardholder obtains a PIN number from Bell

Atlantic.

"This program is the next wave in Bell Atlantic's effort to better serve customers, to get closer to them and to continue to earn their loyalty," said Bruce Gordon, Bell Atlantic Consumer and Small Business Group president.

Gordon noted that the Bell Atlantic Visa is "unlike most other cards because it offers rewards cardholders can use as they are earned, not every three or more years like other cards."

The card has no annual fee and no cap on the amount of rewards. For the first six months, it carries an interest rate of 7.9%; thereafter, the interest rate will be prime rate plus 8.9%. Bell Atlantic Visa cardholders who transfer a balance from another major credit card will receive an additional reward of 1% of the amount transferred. Moreover, there is a $5 cash value sign-up bonus. An additional $5 cash value bonus is awarded annually on the anniversary of the opening of the credit card account.

The card is issued by Bell Atlantic's partner, First Omni Bank N.A., the credit card banking subsidiary of First Maryland Bancorp. Each month, Bell Atlantic and First Omni track the spending on the credit card and on the Bell Atlantic portion of the cardholder's residential phone bill, and tally the rewards. Once the rewards add up to $20, the bank will send the cardholder a check made out to Bell Atlantic for use toward payment of the cardholder's residential phone bill. Additional rewards will also be allocated in $20 increments.

In addition to providing cash back toward Bell Atlantic calls and services such as Call Waiting, Caller ID and Three-Way Calling, cardholders will also enjoy the benefits of a Visa credit card, such as Visa's Purchase Protection, Extended Warranty, free Travel Accident Insurance Coverage and 24-hour customer service.

"This is really the only card you need. It's both a credit card and a calling card. And it delivers superior value to Bell Atlantic residential customers who become cardholders because they are rewarded for buying things they'd buy anyway," said Marianne Berry, Bell Atlantic vice president, Credit Card Services.

"In selecting First Omni and First Maryland as our partner, we teamed up with a bank that has the same high customer service orientation that we do," said Berry.

Richard White, executive vice president of First Maryland Bancorp, said, "We're very pleased with the opportunity to partner with such a strong brand name in such a strong region."

Berry and White, explained that purchases made with the Bell Atlantic Visa card will appear on the cardholder's credit card statement. Billing information for telephone calls made with the Bell Atlantic Visa card will appear on the cardholder's telephone bill. Reward "points" will appear on the credit card statement.

Berry said the Bell Atlantic Visa will be launched with an advertising campaign featuring James Earl Jones, Bell Atlantic's spokesperson. The campaign will include direct mail, print and broadcast advertising.

Bell Atlantic Corporation is at the forefront of the new communications, entertainment and information industry. The Philadelphia-based company provides a full array of local telecommunications services throughout the mid-Atlantic region and is a leader in national and international wireless communications. The company is also a partner in TELE-TV, a national alliance developing video and interactive programming and services, and has substantial holdings in international markets. -0- INTERNET USERS: Bell Atlantic news releases, executive speeches, news media contacts and other useful information are available on Bell Atlantic's media relations World Wide Web site (http://www.ba.com), by gopher (gopher://ba.com) or by ftp (ftp://ba/pub).

CONTACT: Bell Atlantic

Melissa Andrews, 703/974-3428

or

Alison Klapper, 212/213-7220

or

JoEllen Zumberge, 212/213-7060