Miss Teen USA Delegates Use U.S. Bank Visa Buxx Cards; Card Will be Seen Throughout the Pageant, Which Will be Broadcast August 28 on CBS

Business Wire, August 27, 2002

Business Editors

MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 27, 2002

More than 11 million viewers of the 2002 Miss Teen USA Pageant will see the delegates using their U.S. Bank Visa Buxx cards when the pageant airs live on CBS Wednesday, Aug. 28 at 9 p.m. EDT.

U.S. Bank, through its partnership with Visa, issued the cards that the delegates will be seen using as they shop. Each delegate's card was loaded with $350 from Visa, a major sponsor of the program. Visa Buxx will also be featured in a video segment describing the card's value to teenage shoppers and their parents. The new Miss Teen USA will receive a U.S. Bank Visa Buxx card loaded with $2,500.

"Visa Buxx is a perfect alternative for parents of teens, like me, who prefer that their sons and daughters not carry large amounts of cash as they do their back-to-school shopping. Teens spend only what their parents load to the card, which helps prevent overspending, and unlike cash, the card is backed with Visa's zero liability policy if it is lost or stolen," said Patricia Wesner, executive vice president of card services at U.S. Bank.

U.S. Bank was the first Visa Buxx issuer when it made the card available in August of 2000. Since then, more than 25,000 teens and parents have signed-up for the card, which is available online at www.usbank.com/visabuxx. Parents and teens apply together and walk through an online educational program before they submit their application, giving them an opportunity to discuss budget issues and financial responsibility.

Minneapolis-based U.S. Bancorp, with assets in excess of $173 billion, is the 8th largest financial services holding company in the United States. The company operates 2,131 banking offices and 4,818 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.