Sign Up With National City and Say Goodbye to ATM Fees

Enhanced Checking Accounts Address Everyday Needs

    CLEVELAND, March 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Starting today, consumers
 can gain free access to all ATMs by opening one of National City's new
 checking accounts. The new benefits will be featured in a new integrated
 marketing campaign throughout the bank's Midwestern markets.
     (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20030428/NATIONALCITYLOGO )
     "We want to offer the most competitive checking product in the market
 to give consumers even more reasons to bank with National City," said Peter
 E. Raskind, president of National City Corporation. "Coupled with the
 industry- leading rewards program, points from National City, our checking
 accounts become one of the most attractive checking packages in the bank's
 network in Ohio, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri
 and Pennsylvania.
     "We're delighted to help our customers save time and money by granting
 them free access to the nearest ATM and free checks whenever they need
 them," Raskind added.
     National City offers a full suite of checking products to fit any
 lifestyle. The benefits offered by its new checking accounts, depending on
 the account selected, include:
     - Rebates of $1.50 for every non-National City ATM transaction for
       National City Elite Checking accounts, in addition to eliminating
       National City's fee for using other banks' ATMs. Elite checking
       customers will receive up to 30 rebates per month. Elite Checking
       accounts just require monthly deposits totaling $5,000 to avoid a
       monthly maintenance fee.
 
     - No National City fees for transactions at non-National City ATMs and
       free checks for National City Free Checking Plus and National City
       Interest Checking Plus accounts. Any monthly automated activity,
       including monthly direct deposit; online bill payment; or Automated
       Clearing House (ACH) payment, such as a car loan or a utility bill
       payment, qualify accounts for these benefits.
 
     - All new National City checking accounts may qualify for overdraft
       protection from a savings account or Cash Reserve line of credit, and
       new customers are able to open a Personal Savings account with no
       initial deposit and are not required to maintain a minimum balance.
     "Customers are now able to put the appropriate system in place, whether
 it's direct deposit or online bill pay, and then relax knowing that they
 will receive the associated benefits, without checking their account
 balance every day," said Daniel J. Frate, executive vice president for
 retail banking for National City. "We recognize that fewer people keep
 large cash balances in their checking accounts given the range of financial
 tools available today. The new selection of checking accounts allows
 customers to put their money where they prefer and still collect perks such
 as free use of foreign ATMs and free checks."
     Existing National City customers who are interested in learning about
 the benefits of these new products should visit their local branch to
 discuss transferring to the appropriate new account.
     Checking that "Looks out for You"
     An integrated marketing campaign launched today throughout National
 City's Midwestern markets illustrates how the bank looks out for its
 customers while they navigate daily life. Billboards and print ads
 challenge customers to consider the extra time and gas used to avoid ATM
 fees, and television segments show how the new checking accounts help
 customers keep up with a life that never stops. Ongoing outdoor, print,
 television and radio advertising will be augmented by an online campaign at
 www.nationalcity.com/noATMFees.
     In conjunction with the introduction of its new checking suite,
 National City is also unveiling a new design for its Consumer and Business
 CheckCards and credit cards to more closely align with its points from
 National City rewards program.
     Checking Becomes Even More Rewarding
     Customers who open a National City checking account and select a
 Visa(R) CheckCard may enroll in points from National City. Customers
 collect points through everyday banking transactions like using their
 CheckCard, credit card, online bill payment and even writing checks. Points
 can be redeemed for rewards ranging from $10 Target gift cards to overnight
 stays at the Ritz- Carlton to airline tickets.
     For more information or to open a new checking account, go to
 www.NationalCity.com/noATMfees.
     About National City
     National City Corporation ( NCC), headquartered in Cleveland,
 Ohio, is one of the nation's largest financial holding companies. The
 company operates through an extensive distribution network primarily in
 Ohio, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri and
 Pennsylvania, and also serves customers in selected markets nationally. Its
 primary businesses include commercial and retail banking, consumer finance,
 asset management, mortgage financing and servicing and payment processing.
 For more information about National City, visit National City's Web site at
 nationalcity.com.
     The following URL leads to a listing of the benefits and requirements
 of each National City checking account:
     http://www.nationalcity.com/checking/recommender/default.asp?runrec=0
 
 

SOURCE National City Corporation