MINNEAPOLIS, Nov 18, 2002 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Fishing enthusiasts can now show their love of the sport on their checkbooks, as longtime partners U.S. Bank and FLW Outdoors have joined forces to offer FLW Outdoors Checking at U.S. Bank.

Much like the affinity major league sports fans have for the specialized checkbooks sporting the logos of their favorite U.S. Bank-sponsored teams, FLW Outdoors Checking is designed for the 55 million passionate anglers in America today. U.S. Bank has been a proud sponsor of FLW Outdoors, the world's leading marketer of professional fishing, since 1999.

FLW Outdoors Checking offers customers a free first order of FLW Outdoors checks with an exclusively designed FLW Outdoors checkbook cover, a free U.S. Bank Visa Check Card and free Internet banking.

"Our goal is to provide our customers with options that fit their lifestyles, and FLW Outdoors Checking does that by allowing the customer to make any of our terrific checking products an FLW Outdoors Checking Account," said Dennis Bash, director of corporate sponsorships at U.S. Bank.

"U.S. Bank has shown a continued commitment to anglers with its sponsorship of FLW Outdoors," said Charlie Hoover, president and CEO of FLW Outdoors. "The new FLW Outdoors Checking Account is a great way for anglers to incorporate the love of their sport into their daily lives."

New and existing U.S. Bank customers can signup for FLW Outdoors Checking at usbank.com/flwoutdoors and soon through FLW Outdoors' Web site. FLW Outdoors Checking is available with any U.S. Bank checking account, including Free Checking with Interest, Interest Plus Checking, Elite Checking and Senior Value Checking. FLW Outdoors Checking customers are also invited to take advantage of U.S. Bank Checking That Pays and earn up to 1 percent cash back for purchases made using a U.S. Bank Check Card.

FLW Outdoors is the world's leading marketer of competitive fishing. It administers the Wal-Mart FLW Tour, the world's most lucrative bass-tournament series; the EverStart Series, the pathway to the Wal-Mart FLW Tour; and the Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League for weekend anglers. FLW Outdoors also operates the Wal-Mart Texas Tournament Trail and the Wal-Mart RCL Walleye Circuit.

Wal-Mart and many of the world's most respected companies support FLW Outdoors and its five tournament trails. Wal-Mart has been the title sponsor of FLW Outdoors since 1997. For a complete list of FLW Outdoors sponsors and for more information about the premier products and services they offer, please visit FLWOutdoors.com.

U.S. Bancorp, with assets in excess of $174 billion, is the eighth-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 is home of the Five Star Service Guarantee, which assures customers of certain key banking benefits and services or customers will be paid for their inconvenience. U.S. Bancorp is the parent company of U.S. Bank. Visit U.S. Bancorp on the Web at usbank.com.

CONTACT:          U.S. Bank
                  Teri Charest, 612/303-0732
                  or
                  FLW Outdoors
                  Bill Petrowiak, 612/337-1945

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SOURCE: U.S. Bank