(April 14, 1997) - The Council selected Capital One, saying "we are extremely proud that a locally based company has distinguished itself nationally in the application of information technology resources. The Gartner Group's decision to give the 1996 Excellence in Technology Award to Capital One means plenty to those in the technology community. It is altogether fitting that someone from Capital One should judge who among the individuals, companies and projects within the greater Richmond community are deserving of recognition for technology-related contributions to the community."

Capital One's Chief Information Officer Jim Donehey will represent Capital One at the judging, which will take place on Monday, April 21, 1997. Award winners will be recognized at a dinner celebration on May 21, 1997.

Headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia, Capital One Financial Corporation (www.capitalone.com) is a holding company whose principal subsidiaries, Capital One Bank and Capital One, F.S.B., offer consumer lending products. Capital One's subsidiaries collectively had 14.9 million customers and $16.3 billion in managed loans outstanding as of September 30, 1998, and are among the largest providers of Master Card and Visa credit cards in the world. Capital One trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "COF" and is included in the S&P 500 Index.