PVN Providian Financial

Providian Launches Two New Credit Card Programs Designed to Empower Customers Providian Real Rewards(TM) Program Rewards Cardmembers for Spending, Carrying a Balance, and Making Payments on Time SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- As part of its commitment to recognize and reward customers for their loyalty and for managing their accounts responsibly, Providian Financial today launched two new credit card programs: Providian Real Rewards and Providian Real Information. As part of the new offering, the Company also unveiled an innovative series of online financial tools and resources to educate and empower mainstream American consumers about building and maintaining good credit. (Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20040217/LATU022 ) "After listening to mainstream Americans across the country, we found some major gaps between how consumers say they want to be treated by their credit card company, and how they are actually being treated," said Warren Wilcox, Providian's Vice Chairman of Planning and Marketing. "Based on this input, we've made a committed effort to reinvent our company to better meet people's needs -- and the two programs we're introducing today are good examples of that commitment." Providian Real Rewards With the Providian Real Rewards program, cardmembers can earn points faster, because they'll be rewarded for more of the ways that they're already using their card: making purchases (one point per $1 spent), maintaining a balance (10 points for every $100 in revolving balances every billing cycle), and making payments on time (500 points for on-time payments in six consecutive billing cycles). With Real Rewards, customers can redeem points for rewards at a wide variety of restaurants and retailers, or for cash back in the form of statement credits. And unlike other rewards programs, Providian Real Rewards customers can use points to manage their account, including lowering their purchase APR, or to get a late or overlimit fee credit. With redemption levels ranging from 1,000 to 50,000 points, Real Rewards enables participating Providian customers the opportunity to quickly earn rewards that are the most meaningful to them. Examples of Real Reward Levels and Offerings: 1,000 points- $10 Barnes & Noble Gift Card or $10 Mrs. Field's(R) Gift Certificate 3,000 points - $30 Chili's(R) Gift Card or a Late or Over-limit Fee Credit 5,000 points - $40 Statement Credit or $50 Off Any Airline Ticket 10,000 points - $100 Macy's Gift Card or three (3) Percentage Points Off the Purchase APR for 12 consecutive billing cycles Providian Real Information With the Providian Real Information program, customers will have free online access to their FICO credit score and a supporting credit information summary. In addition to free FICO scores, Providian customers can use a "score simulator" to see how certain behaviors, such as paying late or on time and payingmore than the minimum due, can affect their credit score. They can also view a snapshot of where and when they are using their credit card, and get information and tips on managing their credit. This groundbreaking service was created by Providian working in partnership with a national credit reporting agency (TransUnion(R)) and the creator of FICO credit scores (Fair Isaac(R)). Providian Real Information is a key element of the Providian Real Benefits and Real Rewards programs. With Providian Real Benefits, cardholders also enjoy money-saving coupons and discounts at top national retailers that are relevant to our customer's lives, such as Borders(R), Payless Shoe Source(R), Bed Bath & Beyond(R), and Blockbuster(R), included automatically in monthly billing statements, and a commitment to regularly review every cardholder's account to determine if they qualify for a credit line increase and grant it automatically if they do. How to Get More Information About These New Programs For more information on Providian Real Rewards and/or Real Information, consumers can watch their mailbox, call 1-800-775-8382, or visit http://www.providian.com/. About Providian San Francisco-based Providian Financial Corp. (http://www.providian.com/) is a leading provider of credit cards to mainstream American consumers throughout the United States. By combining experience, analysis and technology, Providian seeks to build long-lasting relationships with its customers by providing products and services thatmeet their evolving financial needs. For further information, please contact Alan Elias, +1-415-278-4189, , or Beth Haiken, +1-415-278-4889, , both of Providian Financial Corp.; or Emily Killmer, +1-213-623-4200, ext. 734, , for Providian Financial Corp. http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20040217/LATU022 DATASOURCE: Providian Financial Corp. CONTACT: Alan Elias, +1-415-278-4189, , or Beth Haiken, +1-415-278-4889, , both of Providian Financial Corp.; or Emily Killmer, +1-213-623-4200, ext. 734, , for Providian Financial Corp. Web site: http://www.providian.com/

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