Chase Suggests Financial Planning Ahead of Hurricane Season; Get ready for the rumbles.

NEW ORLEANS -- It may be hard to believe that hurricane season begins in less than 30 days. So that makes it a good time for Louisiana residents to review their personal financial preparedness plan.

"As many Louisiana residents learned during last year's hurricanes, financial planning can be the difference between peace of mind and heartache," said Michael Lulich, head of Chase's retail operations in greater New Orleans. "Chase's computer systems continued to operate business as usual throughout both Hurricane Katrina and Rita last year, so our customers had access to their bank accounts as they evacuated to other locations. However, now is a good time to visit with a Chase personal banker to develop a financial plan and prepare for emergencies."

Added Don Barnes, head of Chase's retail operations in Baton Rouge: "A good financial plan for disasters such as hurricanes should include easy access to funds, protection of personal financial information and communication with other family members."

Here are some tips Louisiana residents should consider when developing a hurricane financial plan:

--  Make backup copies of all of your records. Make copies of
        important records and documents and safely secure them in
        another location. Items should include photos of everything
        you own, credit card numbers, insurance policies, financial
        records, deeds and titles, wills and trusts, Social Security
        cards, prescriptions and medical records, emergency contact
        lists and spare keys.

    --  Maintain a one-page key financial contacts list. These are
        phone numbers of companies you would call to alert them of
        your special circumstances and discuss your options. Include
        phone and account numbers for your bank, mortgage, credit
        card, investment and insurance companies.

    --  Create a "grab and go" fire- and waterproof box with important
        financial documents. Include recent checking, savings, credit
        card and investment account statements; your key financial
        contacts list; federal and state tax returns; mortgage and
        insurance information; your social security card; and a supply
        of cash.

    --  Ensure you have access to cash.

        --  Carry your ATM or debit card with you at all times.

        --  Build a "safety balance" in your checking or savings
            account that can be tapped at times of crisis, and
            consider an "emergency" line of credit (like a home equity
            line of credit).

        --  Consider overdraft protection, linking your checking
            account to a savings account or credit card.

        --  Use direct deposit of payroll so your pay is automatically
            deposited into your checking account.

        --  And since there may be no power after a disaster, stash a
            sufficient amount of cash, traveler's checks, and a roll
            of quarters (to use in pay phones) in a disaster supplies
            kit that you keep at home and can take with you.

    --  Understand your expenses and create a budget. Know how much
        you spend each month on your rent or mortgage, food, gas,
        medicine, and other basic expenses. This information will be
        helpful if you are receiving financial assistance from a
        nonprofit or government agency.

    --  Review disaster insurance policies. Don't feel overly secure
        simply because you have insurance. Review plans and ask your
        insurance providers questions about:

        --  Replacement of home or property. Your mortgage could
            exceed the value assigned to your property. Find out the
            maximum value of "full replacement" insurance, and
            consider a guaranteed replacement cost policy.

        --  Home contents. Renters and homeowners can insure their
            belongings. Standard policies are for actual cash value,
            not replacement cost.

        --  Watch out for deductibles, restrictions or omissions on
            floods, hurricanes and other "natural disasters."

        --  Clarify what "living expenses" are if you need to stay in
            a motel for an extended period of time.

        --  Consider a rider policy if your homeowners policy doesn't
            cover computers, home offices, jewelry, artwork or other
            expensive items.

To discuss your financial plan in more detail, stop by any of Chase's nearly 200 Louisiana branches. Chase at Work bankers also are available to conduct disaster financial planning seminars free of charge at places of business. More information on the Chase at Work program is available at any Chase branch.

Chase, the U.S. consumer and commercial banking brand of JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM), has more than 110 million credit cards issued and serves consumers and small businesses through more than 2,600 bank branches, 7,300 ATMs and 280 mortgage offices as well as through relationships with over 15,000 auto dealerships, and 2,500 schools and universities. More information about Chase is available through www.chase.com.