----- Original Message -----
From: "Lainey Feingold, Esq." <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, October 04, 2001 11:34 AM
Subject: Bank of America to Install More than 7000 Talking ATMs
Nationwide


October 4, 2001
For immediate release

Bank of America announces plans to install more than 7,000 Talking ATMs
nationwide by 2005
Initiative demonstrates continued leadership; applauded by the Vision
Impaired Community

CHARLOTTE:  Bank of America today reconfirmed its commitment to the
visually impaired community by announcing plans to install more than
7,000
Talking ATMs coast to coast.  With a total of more than 3,000 talking
ATMs
planned by the end of 2002, the rollout is expected to be complete by
the
end of 2005. The bank currently has 500 Talking ATMs installed in
Florida
and California. The aggressive plan reinforces Bank of America's
objective
of continuing to lead the industry in pioneering Talking ATMs
nationwide.

Furthering its long-standing commitment to the Talking ATM deployment
effort, Bank of America is implementing technological innovations not
found
in earlier generations of machines. These features, which will make Bank
of
America Talking ATMs among the most advanced in the industry, include
efforts in volume control, spoken balance and voice synthesis.

"Bank of America continues to take a leadership role in the development
and
installation of Talking ATMs and we congratulate them on today's
announcement," said Christopher Gray, national president of the American
Council of the Blind.  "This unparalleled action solidifies and
magnifies
Bank of America's reputation in serving the blind community."

Talking ATMs are part of a broader initiative at Bank of America to make
banking work in ways it has never before.  Accessible banking services
for
customers with vision impairments include account statements available
in
Braille and large print and raised line checks. The bank is also taking
further steps to ensure that its Web site and online banking services
are
W3-C compliant, making them accessible to visually impaired persons
whose
personal computers use screen readers to audibly read text on a computer
screen.

"Bank of America continues to set the standard in the industry with
innovative programs that aim to better serve our customers who are
visually
impaired," said Bill Raymond, manager, ATM Channel Strategies and
Development at Bank of America.  "Talking ATMs along with compliant web
pages, specialized statements and other initiatives further demonstrate
our
commitment to serving our customers and how we are embracing ingenuity
to
make their lives easier."

Talking ATMs provide audible instructions to persons who cannot view
information on an ATM screen. These machines make it easier for
vision-impaired users to withdraw cash, deposit money and perform other
ATM
transactions. The ATMs have audio jacks that deliver spoken instructions
through standard headsets to protect the security of users who are blind
or
have low-vision.

Those wishing to obtain additional information about Talking ATMs can
call
1.800.299.BANK.  California customers can contact Bank of America at
1.800.ENABLEU for assistance.  To locate a Bank of America talking ATM
visit www.bankofamerica.com.

About Bank of America

One of the world's leading financial services companies, Bank of America
is
committed to making banking work for customers like it never has before.
Through innovative technologies and the ingenuity of its people, Bank of
America provides individuals, small businesses and commercial, corporate
and institutional clients across the United States and around the world
new
and better ways to manage their financial lives. The company enables
customers to do their banking and investing whenever, wherever and
however
they choose through the nation's largest financial services network,
including approximately 4,400 domestic offices and 13,000 ATMs, as well
as
38 international offices serving clients in 190 countries, and an
Internet
Web site that provides online access for more than 3 million customers,
more than any other bank.

Bank of America stock (ticker: BAC) is listed on the New York, Pacific
and
London stock exchanges. The company's Web site is www.bankofamerica.com.
News, speeches and other corporate information may be found at
www.bankofamerica.com/newsroom

About the American Council of the Blind

The American Council of the Blind (ACB) is a national membership
organization of people who are blind and visually impaired.  ACB has 51
state and regional affiliates and 20 national special interest and
professional affiliates across the United States.  ACB advocates for the
well being of blind persons in areas including accessible ATMs,
pedestrian
safety, quality work skills training, accessible computer environments
and
more. ACB can be reached at WWW.ACB.org.

Reporters May Contact:

For Bank of America:
Brad Russell
Bank of America
704.388.6806
[log in to unmask]

For the Blindness Community:
Lainey Feingold
1.510.548.5062
[log in to unmask]

Linda Dardarian
Saperstein, Goldstein, Demchak & Baller
1.510.763.9800
[log in to unmask]



Lainey Feingold
Law Office of Elaine B. Feingold
1524 Scenic Avenue
Berkeley, CA 94708
(510) 548-5062
[log in to unmask]


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