Less than three weeks left to get-out-the-vote for your favorite mascot

MCLEAN, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 8, 2006--Election Day may be over - but one of the closest, national races is still yet to be decided....the race for Capital One's National Mascot of the Year. Twelve lovable characters were named to the Fifth Annual Capital One All-American Mascot team last summer, and are currently campaigning 24/7 in a fierce competition to be named Capital One National Mascot of the Year. Each mascot has shown their campaign savvy by wooing voters every football game and showing their fans that 'fur is not a factor' in their 'Fur Factor' campaign spots being aired nationally on ABC and ESPN.

Since September 12th, fans have got-out-the-vote for best beast at www.capitalonebowl.com. The top six mascots with the best win/loss records will move on to the online playoffs, and with a little under three weeks to go in the regular season, each mascot is trying to claw and paw their way to the top of the standings. Playoff voting begins November 27th, 2006 and runs through December 18th, 2006. As the vote tally approaches almost 5 million, North Carolina State's Mr. Wuf leads the pack, with Georgia Tech's Buzz, Kentucky's Wildcat and Wisconsin's Bucky Badger right on his over-sized heels.

This year's contest features a weekly claw-to-paw face-off among this year's All-Americans:

                            The Standings
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(1) North Carolina State - Mr. Wuf (7) Air Force Academy - The Bird
(2) Georgia Tech - Buzz            (8) Auburn University - Aubie
(3) University of Kentucky -       (9) Western Kentucky University -
 Wildcat                            Big Red
(4) University of Wisconsin -      (10) Washington State - Butch T.
 Bucky Badger                       Cougar
(5) University of Maryland -       (11) University of Tennessee -
 Testudo                            Smokey
(6) Syracuse University - Otto     (12) University of Oklahoma -
                                    Sooner

"This year's race for the Capital One National Mascot of the Year is one of the closest to date," said Steve Schooff at Capital One. "With just three weeks to go, its time for alumni, students and fans to get-out-the-vote for one of the most important national races that has yet to be decided. Remember, voters are allowed one vote per day....so vote early, and vote often!"

The fan vote is the sole determinant of the winner; the people choose. Voting began in September, with 11 weekly match ups between the All-Americans. The top six mascots with the best win/loss records face off in online playoffs in December. The winner will be pronounced Capital One National Mascot of the Year on January 1, 2007 during the Capital One Bowl.

This year's fuzzy crew was chosen from Division IA and IAA athletic programs with college football teams. They made the squad after being ranked on mascot musts such as interaction with fans, originality and pedigree. The panel of judges included mascot guru and historian, Dr. Roy Yarbrough, and representatives from ESPN and Capital One.

Over the past four years, Capital One has helped thrust the spotlight on these unsung champions of the gridiron. Team members star in a national advertising campaign, which this year features the mascots participating in 'Fur Factor', a series of gravity defying (and fictitious) competitions. In addition to the bragging rights, each mascot receives $5,000 for its school's mascot program. The Capital One National Mascot of the Year will receive an additional $5,000 scholarship to help fund its school's mascot program.

WRITE IN YOUR FAVORITE MASCOT

Didn't see your school's mascot in this year's Mascot Challenge? Capital One has added an additional fan component to this year's competition. Fans can log on to www.capitalonebowl.com and nominate your school's mascot for a chance to win $1000 toward their Mascot Program and an opportunity to compete in the 2007 Mascot Challenge! Each voter is allowed one vote per day, so show your school spirit and vote - vote - vote to see your favorite furry friend in next year's competition!

About Capital One

Capital One Financial Corporation (www.capitalone.com) is a holding company whose principal subsidiaries, Capital One Bank and Capital One FSB, offer consumer lending products. Capital One, a Fortune 500 company headquartered in McLean, Va., 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's affiliation with college football began with the sponsorship of the 2001 Capital One Florida Citrus Bowl (now the Capital One Bowl) and ESPN's Bowl Week. In addition, Capital One sponsors the ABC College Football Halftime Report and numerous other college football programs.

CONTACT: Steve Schooff, Capital One
972-378-8105
stephen.schooff@capitalone.com

SOURCE: Capital One Financial Corporation