TCF Introduces New Free Air Miles Card for Business Checking Customers

Business Wire, April 11, 2005

MINNEAPOLIS -- TCF Bank (TCF) (NYSE:TCB), known for its Totally Free Checking Account and seven-day banking access, announces the introduction of air travel and merchandise rewards for its business checking account customers. The new rewards program is designed for businesses that use the free TCF Check Card - a debit card with access to a business checking account.

With a TCF MILES PLUS(SM) Business Check Card, business customers earn one point for every dollar of qualifying purchases made while using their card. Customers can redeem the points to purchase free airline tickets on major airlines without blackout dates or without restrictions seen with other reward programs.

TCF MILES PLUS Business Check Card customers can conveniently search and book their flights online with virtually any major airline they choose through the TCF website. Customers may also use their reward points to purchase any of more than three million merchandise items available through the world's leading online retailer.

"Most business airline reward programs are issued with credit cards, not debit cards, and have high annual fees of $90 or more, are specific to one airline with multiple blackout dates and don't offer free seats for popular destinations," said John Schroeder, executive vice president of TCF Business Banking. "Our new program is unique for small business due to its flexibility with no annual fee. Once a customer has accumulated enough points, they can actually fly where they want to go, which is unusual with most reward programs."

TCF business customers will receive a unique combined account statement, which shows all checking account activity and card purchases made with their card. Customers can also view account and card activity using the TCF Free Online banking system. Under the new program, business customers will start earning free miles points beginning April 1.

A similar program was offered to TCF checking account customers who maintain high monthly balances in August 2004 with the introduction of the free TCF MILES PLUS Card - a credit product that automatically deducts card purchases once a month from the account balance.

The card will be offered free of charge to TCF Free Small Business Checking and TCF Premier Business Checking Plus customers. At the same time, customers with the TCF Premier Business Checking Plus account will see the addition of other free account features, including Preferred Online Banking, online bill pay, and check recovery and check conversion services.

TCF is a Wayzata, Minnesota-based national financial holding company with $12.3 billion in assets. TCF has 430 banking offices in Minnesota, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, Colorado and Indiana. Other TCF affiliates provide leasing and equipment finance, securities brokerage, and investments and insurance sales.