MCLEAN, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 10, 2006--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. Putting Together a Budget, the newly-introduced BBBTips(TM), offers entrepreneurs information and advice on how to develop and implement a business budget.

"Budgeting is essential to launching and running a successful business," said Steve Cole, President and CEO of the Council of Better Business Bureaus. "Yet many entrepreneurs may not realize how to incorporate a budget into their business planning. Determining when to develop a budget and understanding the basics of a business budget are just some of the practical points included in the latest set of BBBTips(TM)."

The new BBBTips(TM) on Putting Together a Budget outline:

Why You Need a Budget

Information about the link between a well-planned budget and a successful business

When to Develop a Budget

Tips on how to incorporate budgeting into your initial business plan and as your company grows

What to Include in a Budget

How to address the different elements of your budget, including tracking your business' income, expenses and profit

Mistakes to Avoid

Important strategies to avoid common budgeting mistakes

"Creating a budget can help a small business owner establish goals and assess the financial plan for their company," said Dave Wasik, Vice President, Small Business at Capital One. "A budget is a useful tool for small business owners at every stage of their business - from determining start-up costs to identifying new investment opportunities and measuring progress. This new set of BBBTips(TM) shows entrepreneurs how to budget for success throughout the life of a business."

The Capital One-sponsored BBBTips(TM) for Small Business are free and available online at www.bbb.org/tips/capitalone. As the third largest issuer of SBA loans, Capital One also has information available on its Web site about loans.

About Capital One

Headquartered in McLean, Virginia, Capital One Financial Corporation (www.capitalone.com) is a financial holding company whose principal subsidiaries, Capital One Bank, Capital One, F.S.B., Capital One Auto Finance, Inc., and Hibernia National Bank (www.hibernia.com), offer a variety of consumer lending and deposit products. Capital One's subsidiaries collectively had 49.2 million accounts and $84.8 billion in managed loans outstanding as of September 30, 2005. Capital One, a Fortune 500 company, 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 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 and business 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: Capital One
Alison Athay, 206-239-0140
aathay@apcoworldwide.com

SOURCE: Capital One Financial Corporation