MCLEAN, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 29, 2005--The Better Business Bureau System and Capital One Financial (NYSE:COF) today released its latest set of resources for small business owners as part of the BBBTips(TM) financial education series. The newly-introduced BBBTips(TM) on Creating a Business Plan guides entrepreneurs through the basics of developing a successful business plan.

"Many entrepreneurs don't realize the role a well-developed business plan plays in the successful start up of a business," said Ken Hunter, president and CEO of the Council of Better Business Bureaus. "The latest set of BBBTips(TM) offers potential business owners step-by-step information to create their plans, as well as guidance for using the plan to manage their business, once it is operational."

The new BBBTips(TM) on Creating a Business Plan offer background information, guidelines and advice on developing a plan's core elements, including:

Why You Need a Business Plan and When You Should Develop One

Information on the benefits of developing a plan and when business owners should get started drafting a plan.

What Your Business Plan Should Include

Advice for entrepreneurs on the elements included in a standard business plan and recommendations on style and format.

How to Present Your Business Plan

Creative recommendations on the best way to structure and present the plan.

Using Your Business Plan

Helpful strategies for implementing and adhering to a plan's critical objectives and milestones. Includes tips on using the plan as a blueprint for business growth.

Guide to Resources

Helpful links to government and private resources that provide overviews and insights into developing a business plan.

"Creating a business plan is an important step every entrepreneur should take to ensure that a long-term dream becomes a long-term success," notes Wendy Alexander, director of small business at Capital One. "The latest set of BBBTips(TM) provides potential business founders with the practical guidance they need to draft their individual business plans and share their vision with others, including potential partners, funding sources and employees."

The Capital One-sponsored BBBTips(TM) for Small Business are free and available online at www.bbb.org/tips/capitalone. As one of the largest small business lenders in the U.S., Capital One also has information available on its Web site about small business services.

About Capital One

Headquartered in McLean, Virginia, Capital One Financial Corporation (http://www.capitalone.com) is a bank holding company whose principal subsidiaries, Capital One Bank, Capital One, F.S.B. and Capital One Auto Finance, Inc. offer a variety of consumer lending products. Capital One's subsidiaries collectively had 48.9 million accounts and $83.0 billion in managed loans outstanding as of June 30, 2005. Capital One is a Fortune 500 company and, through its subsidiaries, is one of the largest providers of MasterCard 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.

Capital One offers a range of products to meet small business needs, including small business credit cards, small business loans and lines of credit, and small business savings accounts. As the largest issuer of small business Visa credit cards, and the third largest lender of SBA loans, Capital One provides specialized support designed to make it easier for small business customers to manage their finances so that they can focus on what's important to them. Capital One small business products are available via direct mail, capitalone.com, phone (877.561.9847) and fax.

About BBBTips(TM)

BBBTips(TM) is a trademark of the Council of Better Business Bureaus, Inc. (CBBB) that is used to identify consumer information articles and brochures that have been developed in partnership with the Better Business Bureau Consumer Education Foundation, Inc. BBBTips(TM) are made possible, in part, through the generous financial and technical support that is provided by corporate sponsors who are members of the CBBB and of the local BBB where the corporate sponsor is headquartered. BBBTips(TM) are designed to provide unbiased and factual information to assist consumers in making informed and intelligent purchase decisions.

CONTACT: Alison Athay, 206-239-0140
aathay@apcoworldwide.com

SOURCE: Capital One Financial