Butler County Residents Will Be Able to Pay Taxes Online Through U.S. Bank E-Payment Service.

Business Editors

HAMILTON, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 8, 2003

U. S. Bank (NYSE:USB) and the Butler County treasurer's office have entered into a final agreement to provide the residents of Butler County a more convenient method for making County payments. The system should be up and running around January 15, 2003, when real estate tax payments can be made via the Internet to Carole B. Mosketti, Butler County treasurer, just in time for the first half real estate tax due date of February 14, 2003.

Using the U. S. Bank E-Payment Service, residents of Butler County, Ohio will be able to pay their real estate property taxes and their water and sewer payments online directly through the Butler County website at www.butlercountyohio.org.

Mosketti said, "We have enjoyed a successful relationship with U.S. Bank for more than 20 years and are very excited about our expanded partnership. The E-Payment Service is one more way the treasurer's office is making it more convenient for the residents of our county to make their payments to us. Our goal is to one day expand this service making it available for all county departments so that Butler County residents have the option of making all county payments on line."

After receiving and reviewing their bills, residents will have the ability to sign onto the Butler County website and select a 'payment' option. Residents will then provide specific information about the type of payment they are making and submit their payment direct to the County electronically, without the need to write a check and mail it to the county offices. This electronic payment option is all done in a safe, secure Internet environment, and without the need to leave their homes.

According to Don Leedom, CCM, vice president and regional team leader for U.S. Bank's corporate treasury management group in Cincinnati, Ohio, "The U.S. Bank E-Payment Service is a one of the newest forms of electronic payment applications available to business organizations. The decision by Butler County to employ this program, and the efficiencies that it creates for the county, signifies a win-win for both the county and its residents." U.S. Bank has served Butler county since 1863 and currently has 17 local branches within the community.

Caren Galloway, U.S. Bank regional manager of government banking, said, "U.S. Bank is currently working with several state agencies to bring E-payment solutions to their communities."

U.S. Bank is a subsidiary of U.S. Bancorp. With assets in excess of $174 billion, it is the 8th largest financial services holding company in the United States. The company operates 2,133 banking offices and 4,680 ATMs, and provides a comprehensive line of banking, brokerage, insurance, investment, mortgage, trust and payment services products to consumers, businesses and institutions. U.S. Bancorp delivers quality customer service, articulated by its Five Star Service Guarantee, or it pays customers for their inconvenience. U.S. Bancorp is the parent company of U.S. Bank. Visit U.S. Bancorp on the web at usbank.com.