Union Planters International Banking Launches Internet-Based UPTrade Solutions

Business Wire, June 16, 2004

CORAL GABLES, Fla. -- Union Planters Bank (NYSE: UPC) today announced that its International Banking division has launched an innovative Web-based trade finance tool for importers.

UPTrade Solutions now provides an easy and convenient way for importers to handle virtually all their Letter of Credit needs, from any location worldwide. The automated system allows importers to issue, track and amend LC transactions without any special software. UPTrade Solutions offers maximum flexibility by simply visiting the International Banking section of the Union Planters Web site, and using a secure, password protected log in.

"In today's competitive global marketplace, it's critical that businesses engaged in international trade have the tools they need at their fingertips, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. UPTrade Solutions provides a cutting-edge technological solution to a challenge common to importers - capturing business by processing their Letters of Credit efficiently, whenever needed and as fast as possible," says David Konfino, president of Union Planters International Banking.

UPTrade Solutions reduces clients' paperwork and administrative burdens, reducing turnaround time by 24 hours. The feature-rich system allows users to view their full history including transaction documents and data; initiate airway releases, amendments and Steamship Guarantees; track status of LCs; create standard product descriptions to save time on future requests and view SWIFT messages.

"Our team understands our clients' needs and has decades of experience maneuvering through the intricacies of worldwide trade; so, we are uniquely qualified to create such a system," says Emy Ruiz, Union Planters International Banking senior vice president, trade finance manager. "It's easy to use, and provides such a comprehensive level of service and information that virtually 90% of the questions an importer might have can be answered by simply looking at the work flow screen."

Currently, UPTrade Solutions provides powerful access for Import Letters of Credit. Additional product and service functionality will be added throughout 2004.

For more information about UPTrade Solutions, visit the Union Planters Web site at www.unionplanters.com.

About Union Planters International Banking

Headquartered in Miami, Florida, our team of highly knowledgeable professionals interacts with thousands of specialized associates, uniquely positioning the company to meet the demands of the worldwide marketplace. For over three decades, Union Planters has provided the knowledge, commitment and reliability that guide customers through a world of financial opportunities, offering a full array of Correspondent Banking, Structured Finance, Syndication, Securitization, International Wealth Management and Trade Finance products and services:

About Union Planters

Union Planters Corporation, the largest bank holding company headquartered in Tennessee and is among the 25 largest bank holding companies based in the United States with consolidated assets of $31 billion at December 31, 2003. Union Planters Bank, N.A., the principal banking subsidiary, operates 717 banking offices and 925 ATMs in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Tennessee and Texas. The Company is included in the Standard and Poor's 500 Index, the Standard and Poor's 500 Banks Index, the NYSE Composite Index and the Russell 1000 Index. For more information on Union Planters, please access our website at www.unionplanters.com/investor/ .