Cincinnati Small Business Owners Are Optimistic about Their Futures, Says MasterCard International; Area Small Businesses Face Daily Challenges but Value the Critical Role of Technology.

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

Highlights of the Cincinnati small business survey include:

--Half say that the overall business climate for small businesses is more favorable today than it was a year ago; 25 percent say that it the climate remains unchanged.

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

--Although 53 percent say monthly business expenditures have increased over the past year, over two thirds of Cincinnati small business owners 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, 54 percent strongly agree that technology creates financial opportunities for small businesses.

--Eighty-two percent say organizations that weave technology into their culture gain a competitive advantage, however only one in five believes they are on the leading edge of technology adoption in their field.

"Like their counterparts across the country, Cincinnati small business owners face challenges everyday juggling the wide range of responsibilities necessary to effectively compete in the marketplace," said Bruno Perreault, Senior Vice President, Small and Mid-Sized Enterprise Segment, MasterCard International. "This research tells us that Cincinnati small business owners understand the crucial role technology can play in helping them manage those responsibilities, get ahead of the competition and advance their business."

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 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 Cincinnati. This educational and networking seminar for small businesses in the Cincinnati-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 Cincinnati small business owners, and Fifth Third Bank will discuss local initiatives to support small business in the community.

Mr. Perreault continued, "In the busy world of the small business owner, time is often among the most precious commodities - and the most valuable solutions are those that help them become more efficient. Our 'Get Wired' sweepstakes and the 'Technology Download' event in Cincinnati are important ways that MasterCard is addressing this key challenge for small business owners."

The 'MasterCard Small Business Technology Download' takes place today from 7:30-10:00 a.m. at The Bankers Club at The Fifth Third Center downtown and is free for area small business owners, although an RSVP is required. For more information go to http://cincinnati.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/event/1871.

* 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.