The world's largest issuer of Visa credit cards has recently launched a
visa card with a microchip inside, called a smart card, that will likely
offer new features in the future.  If anyone has tried the First USA Visa
Smart Card and the device that hooks into your computer, let us know.  We
are currently in structured negotiations with Bank One, the parent of First
USA, regarding access to its banking services.

kelly

   PR Newswire

   Wednesday October 25, 3:53 pm Eastern Time

  Press Release

   SOURCE: First USA

First USA Announces Launch of New Consumer Smart Card Product - 'First USA
Smart Visa'

  First USA Smart Visa Enhances Online Shopping Experience

   WILMINGTON, Del., Oct. 25 /PRNewswire/ -- First USA, the largest Visa
   card issuer, today announced the launch of its new smart card product
   for consumers -- the First USA smart Visa card. The First USA smart
   Visa card allows consumers to store all of their Internet usernames
   and passwords, favorite web sites, personal profile information and
   credit card information on their smart chip for quick and easy access.
   It also protects the consumer's personal data by keeping all of the
   data stored on the chip encrypted and accessible only by the
   cardmember using a password. In addition, cardmembers get the added
   values of free access to First USA's Connection online shopping
   service and 5% cash back offers when purchasing online from
   participating merchants.

   Chip data is securely managed by SmartView(TM) software, which is
   exclusively offered by First USA. Using SmartView, cardmembers will be
   able to gain entry to preferred web sites and fill web forms with just
   one click of the mouse.

   ``The First USA smart Visa is a natural extension of our commitment to
   developing high-quality payment products that are tailored to meet
   individual cardmember needs,'' said William P. Boardman, chairman and
   chief executive officer of First USA, and vice chairman of Bank One
   Corporation.

   ``The First USA smart Visa card is the next generation of consumer
   payment products that significantly improves the customer's online
   shopping experience,'' said Carter Warren, executive vice president
   and chief marketing officer of First USA. ``Through the development of
   powerful chip technology, we are providing our cardmembers with a
   product that gives them the best of both worlds -- all the traditional
   value and features of a First USA Visa card plus the enhanced
   convenience, utility and security needed for operating in a virtual
   world.''

   The First USA SmartView software and personal smart card reader are
   the keys to unlocking the maximum value of the card. Both SmartView
   and one smart card reader are free to cardmembers and provide
   convenient and secure access to cardmembers' personal data and enhance
   their online shopping experience. Once data is stored on the card it
   is secure and completely portable to any other PC with the software
   and reader. Additional card readers can be purchased by the
   cardmembers.

   Warren said the card's usefulness to cardmembers will evolve over time
   as First USA develops new applications. First USA is using a powerful
   32K Open Platform chip that will allow downloading of new applications
   over the Internet after a card is issued.
    First USA smart Visa -- the product
      -- Visa branded credit card with credit lines up to $100,000
      -- Offers low introductory rate of 1.9% for six months with the
         transfer of a balance
      -- Offers competitive variable annual percentage rate based on the
         Prime Rate
      -- 32k upgradeable microchip on the card
      -- Provides one free personal card reader
      -- Provides free SmartView software
      -- Provides online account management
      -- Provides online bill payment
      -- Provides free access to First USA Connections -- an online service
         that provides access to hundreds of retailers and millions of
         products
      -- Provides 5% cash back at select online merchants, including
         Amazon.com, CDNow.com, Outpost.com, eToys.com and Dean-Deluca.com
      -- Provides increased convenience and utility related to online
         transactions
      -- Provides Visa's zero-liability protection for unauthorized
         transactions

   First USA will begin marketing the First USA smart Visa card in early
   November with a national advertising campaign that includes direct
   mail, direct response television and the Internet. Prior to that,
   consumers can find out more about the First USA smart Visa card by
   visiting www.firstusa.com/privateoffer.

   The First USA smart Visa card is accepted at over 19 million locations
   worldwide and can access cash at over 910,000 banks and ATMs.

   First USA (www.firstusa.com), a subsidiary of Bank One Corporation
   (NYSE: ONE - news), is the largest issuer of Visa credit cards. First
   USA offers credit cards for consumers and businesses under the First
   USA, First Card and Bank One names and on behalf of its marketing
   partners. Bank One, with more than $280 billion in assets, is the
   nation's fourth-largest banking holding company.

   SOURCE: First USA


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