Bank of America Reports Record Second Quarter Earnings of US$5.5 Billion, or US$1.19 Per Share

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina, July 19 /PRNewswire/ --

- Net income up 18 percent

- Strong momentum across businesses

- Record checking account sales

- Record investment banking income

- Efficiency ratio below 48 percent

Bank of America Corporation today reported that net income in the second quarter of 2006 rose 18 percent to US$5.48 billion from US$4.66 billion a year earlier. Per-share earnings (diluted) were US$1.19, up 4 percent from US$1.14 a year earlier, the previous record quarter on a split-adjusted basis. Return on average common shareholders' equity for the second quarter was 17.26 percent. Under purchase accounting rules, results for the second quarter of 2005 do not include MBNA, which was acquired on January 1, 2006.

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Excluding merger and restructuring charges of US$194 million pre-tax, equal to 3 cents per share, the company earned US$5.60 billion, or US$1.22 per share (diluted), in the second quarter of 2006. A year earlier merger and restructuring charges of US$121 million related to the acquisition of FleetBoston Financial reduced per-share earnings by 2 cents.

"Our performance this quarter demonstrates the power of our unmatched franchise and diverse revenue sources, as well as the skill and hard work of our associates," said Kenneth D. Lewis, chairman and chief executive officer. "Our ongoing advances in operational excellence led to our best efficiency ratio ever, while our investments in innovation and service across the bank produced gains in the consumer, capital markets and wealth management businesses. We offset the difficult interest rate environment with great execution in every line of business, leading to a significant increase in fee income and continued momentum in the growth of shareholder value."

Revenue grew 25 percent from a year earlier while noninterest expense was up 24 percent. On a pro forma basis (including MBNA's second quarter of 2005 results), revenue increased 6 percent while noninterest expense was up 2 percent. Historical information regarding pro forma results was included in the Form 8-K filed on April 10, 2006.

The year-over-year improvement was driven by strong performance across the consumer businesses, continued growth in trading account profits, investment banking income and equity investment gains, as well as improvements in asset management categories.

For the first six months of 2006, Bank of America earned US$10.46 billion, or US$2.25 per share (diluted), compared to US$9.05 billion, or US$2.21 per share on a split-adjusted basis, a year earlier.

Second Quarter 2006 Highlights - Net new retail checking accounts reached a record 701,000 in the second quarter, helped by innovative programs such as Keep the Change(TM). To date, more than 2.7 million customers have enrolled in Keep the Change. - Debit card income grew more than 20 percent from the second quarter of 2005, as higher checking account volume and Keep the Change increased usage of debit cards at retail locations. Debit card purchase volume topped a record US$42 billion in the quarter, an increase of 22 percent from the second quarter of 2005. - Total loans and leases grew 17 percent in Global Corporate and Investment Banking from the second quarter of 2005 as businesses continued to invest and expand. - Investment banking fee income in Global Corporate and Investment Banking reached a record US$645 million in the second quarter, as business practices such as the "dual coverage" partnership between Commercial Banking and Investment Banking continue to increase capital- raising and M&A business among commercial clients. - Capital Markets and Advisory Services produced revenue of more than US$2 billion for the second consecutive quarter, as a favorable market environment in addition to technology and personnel investments begun in 2005 produced strong across-the-board trading results. - Total assets under management in Global Wealth and Investment Management hit the US$500 billion milestone, an increase of 13 percent from the second quarter of 2005. The increase drove 11 percent growth in asset management fees. Based on assets under management, 85% of assets were invested in funds (equity, fixed income, and money market funds) where at least one share class placed in the top two quartiles of their peer group as of June 30, 2006.(1) (1) The share class earning the ranking may have limited eligibility and may not be available to all investors. Peer group rankings were provided by Morningstar for equity funds, Lipper for fixed income funds and iMoneyNet for money market funds. Second Quarter 2006 MBNA Transition Highlights - Cost savings for the merger in the second quarter were US$275 million pre-tax, due primarily to personnel reductions and marketing synergies. The transition is on track to meet projected savings targets. - As of June 30, about 4,000 of the projected 6,000 job reductions have been achieved through a balance of attrition and severance since the merger was announced on June 30, 2005. - Nearly 25 years after MBNA pioneered affinity marketing by offering credit cards to customers who share a strong common interest, Bank of America recently announced long-term extensions of three of its longest and most successful affinity marketing agreements with the National Education Association (NEA), Ducks Unlimited and the American Automobile Association (AAA). - More than 4,200 banking centers are now selling affinity credit cards, and the products are expected to be sold at more than 5,700 banking centers by the end of July. Affinity cards were introduced on bankofamerica.com earlier this year, where customers can now choose among more than 350 affinity card options. Early results have exceeded expectations.

Second Quarter 2006 Financial Summary

Revenue

Revenue on a fully taxable-equivalent basis grew 25 percent to US$18.52 billion from US$14.78 billion in the second quarter of 2005. Last year's results did not include MBNA.

Net interest income on a fully taxable-equivalent basis was US$8.93 billion, compared to US$7.83 billion the previous year. Besides the addition of MBNA, the increase was driven by loan growth and increases in asset-liability management (ALM) activity, partially offset by lower core deposit levels and spread compression. The net interest yield increased 5 basis points to 2.85 percent.

Noninterest income was up 38 percent to US$9.60 billion from US$6.96 billion. Besides the addition of MBNA, which helped boost card income, these results were driven by continued strength in service fee income and increases in trading account profits, investment banking income and equity investment gains. Other income declined significantly. A year ago this component benefited from the results of the ALM process, including the change in the value of derivatives used as economic hedges that did not qualify for SFAS 133 and the sale of whole loans.

Sales of debt securities resulted in a US$9 million net loss in the second quarter of 2006 compared to a US$325 million net gain in the second quarter of 2005.

Efficiency

The efficiency ratio for the second quarter of 2006 was 47.06 percent (46.01 percent before merger and restructuring charges) driven by continued positive operating leverage. Noninterest expense increased to US$8.72 billion from US$7.02 billion a year ago. Besides the addition of MBNA, expenses increased due to marketing spending related to consumer banking initiatives and revenue-related incentive compensation. Also included in second quarter 2006 expenses were US$194 million in pre-tax merger and restructuring charges related to the MBNA acquisition.

The effective tax rate increased to 35.56 percent in the second quarter from 33.69 percent in the second quarter of 2005 primarily as a result of a US$175 million cumulative charge reflecting recently passed tax legislation related to foreign sales corporation provision.

Credit Quality

Credit quality remained stable. Net charge-offs increased from the second quarter of 2005 due to the addition of MBNA and new advances on accounts previously securitized, partially offset by lower credit card bankruptcy charge-offs. Provision expense rose compared to the second quarter of 2005 due to the addition of MBNA and 2005 commercial credit reserve releases. These increases were partially offset by decreased credit card costs.

- Provision for credit losses was US$1.01 billion, down from US$1.27 billion in the first quarter of 2006, and up from US$875 million a year earlier. - Net charge-offs were US$1.02 billion, or 0.65 percent of average loans and leases. Net charge-offs were US$822 million, or 0.54 percent, in the first quarter of 2006 and US$880 million, or 0.68 percent, in the second quarter of 2005. Reported net charge-offs excluded US$27 million, or 0.01 percent of average loans and leases in the second quarter of 2006 and US$210 million or 0.14 percent in the first quarter of 2006 as a result of impaired loan purchase accounting for MBNA. Total managed net losses were US$1.81 billion, or 0.98 percent of managed loans and leases. This compared to US$1.48 billion, or 0.84 percent, on March 31, 2006 and US$1.01 billion, or 0.77 percent on June 30, 2005. - Nonperforming assets were US$1.64 billion, or 0.25 percent of total loans, leases and foreclosed properties, as of June 30, 2006. This compared to US$1.68 billion, or 0.27 percent, at March 31, 2006 and US$1.90 billion, or 0.36 percent, on June 30, 2005. - The total allowance for loan and lease losses was US$9.08 billion, or 1.36 percent of loans and leases, at June 30, 2006. This compared to US$9.07 billion, or 1.46 percent, at March 31, 2006 and US$8.32 billion, or 1.57 percent, at June 30, 2005, which did not include MBNA.

Capital Management

Total shareholders' equity was US$127.84 billion at June 30, 2006. Period-end assets grew to US$1.45 trillion. The Tier 1 Capital Ratio was 8.33 percent, compared to 8.45 percent on March 31, 2006 and 8.16 percent a year earlier.

During the quarter, Bank of America paid a cash dividend of US$0.50 per share. The company issued approximately 30 million common shares primarily related to employee stock options and ownership plans, and repurchased slightly more than 83 million common shares in the second quarter of 2006. Period-ending common shares issued and outstanding were 4.53 billion for the second quarter of 2006, compared to 4.58 billion for the first quarter of 2006 and 4.02 billion for the second quarter of 2005.

Second Quarter 2006 Business Segment Results Global Consumer and Small Business Banking (All currency is in US dollars) (Dollars in millions) Q2 2006 Q2 2005 Total Revenue(1) $10,479 $6,903 Provision for credit losses 1,029 1,155 Noninterest expense 4,546 3,347 Net Income 3,105 1,534 Efficiency ratio 43.37 % 48.47 % Return on average equity 19.69 21.17 Loans and leases(2) $187,607 $141,353 Deposits(2) 333,999 306,521 (1) Fully taxable-equivalent basis (2) Balances averaged for period

Revenue grew 52 percent to US$10.48 billion and net income more than doubled to US$3.11 billion. Last year's second quarter results did not include MBNA. On a pro forma basis (including MBNA's second quarter of 2005 results), revenue increased 10 percent while net income increased 42 percent.

Results were driven by increased service charges due to new account growth, higher debit card income due to increased usage and higher credit card income as Bank of America's combination with MBNA continued to exhibit positive results. Mortgage reported lower results primarily resulting from margin compression caused by higher interest rates as compared to the second quarter of 2005.

- Deposits revenue increased 16 percent to US$4.29 billion compared to the second quarter of 2005, while net income increased 30 percent to US$1.33 billion. On a pro forma basis, deposits revenue increased 15 percent compared to the second quarter of 2005, while net income increased 27 percent. - Card Services had revenue of US$5.47 billion, an increase of 163 percent compared to the second quarter of 2005. Net income increased tenfold to US$1.6 billion, compared to US$137 million. On a pro forma basis, Card Services recorded an increase in revenue of 18 percent compared to the second quarter of 2005, while net income more than doubled. - Home Equity had revenue of US$366 million, an increase of 7 percent from the second quarter of 2005. Net income increased 18 percent to US$128 million. On a pro forma basis, there was no material impact on either revenue or net income. - Mortgage had revenue of US$344 million compared to US$411 million in the second quarter of 2005 and net income of US$66 million compared to US$97 million a year ago. On a pro forma basis, both revenue and net income recognized slightly larger declines, as pro forma revenue for the second quarter of 2005 was US$424 million and pro forma net income was US$106 million a year ago. - ALM/Other had revenue of US$15 million compared to US$383 million in the second quarter of 2005 and a net loss of US$65 million compared to net income of US$169 million in the second quarter of 2005. On a pro forma basis, revenue was US$422 million while net income was US$194 million in second quarter of 2005. Global Corporate and Investment Banking (Dollars in millions) Q2 2006 Q2 2005 Total Revenue(1) $5,717 $4,908 Provision for credit losses 41 (249) Noninterest expense 2,956 2,603 Net Income 1,716 1,705 Efficiency ratio 51.71 % 53.02 % Return on average equity 15.94 16.62 Loans and leases(2) $243,140 $207,927 Deposits(2) 205,263 191,471 Trading-related assets(2) 332,688 332,432 (1) Fully taxable-equivalent basis (2) Balances averaged for period

Revenue increased 16 percent to US$5.72 billion from US$4.91 billion. Net income was essentially flat at US$1.72 billion. Loan growth helped mitigate the effects of a flattening yield curve.

The growth in revenue was fueled by increased capital markets activity. Capital Markets and Advisory Services benefited from positive sales and trading results in Liquid Products, Credit Products and Structured Products as previous investments in personnel and trading infrastructure came to fruition. Investment Banking benefited from increased market activity and continued leadership in leveraged debt underwriting. Treasury Services benefited from increased net interest income due to higher short-term interest rates.

Net income was impacted by increased provision expense primarily in Business Lending and increased performance-based compensation in Capital Markets and Advisory Services. Provision expense rose primarily due to the absence this quarter of benefits from the release of reserves in 2005 related to reduced uncertainties associated with the FleetBoston credit integration.

- Capital Markets and Advisory Services had revenue of US$2.12 billion, an increase of 39 percent from the second quarter of 2005. Net income increased 57 percent to US$504 million. - Business Lending had revenue of US$1.51 billion, slightly higher than the second quarter of 2005. Net income decreased to US$589 million from US$789 million, primarily due to the provision benefits in 2005. - Treasury Services had revenue of US$1.70 billion, an increase of 15 percent from the second quarter of 2005. Net income increased 26 percent to US$559 million. - ALM/Other had revenue of US$383 million and net income of US$64 million. Global Wealth and Investment Management (Dollars in millions) Q2 2006 Q2 2005 Total Revenue(1) $1,955 $1,790 Provision for credit losses (40) (9) Noninterest expense 991 929 Net Income 634 556 Efficiency ratio 50.68 % 51.91 % Return on average equity 25.76 21.64 Loans and leases(2) $60,412 $53,047 Deposits(2) 114,195 120,256 (in billions) At 6/30/06 At 6/30/05 Assets under management $500.1 $442.8 (1) Fully taxable-equivalent basis (2) Balances averaged for period

Revenue increased 9 percent and net income rose 14 percent from a year ago. Results were driven by higher asset management fees, higher loan volume and higher deposit spreads, as well as continued migration of certain banking relationships from Global Consumer and Small Business Banking.

Asset management fees increased 11 percent from the second quarter of 2005 due to higher assets under management balances driven by total net asset inflows of US$42 billion in addition to increased market values of US$15 billion.

- Premier Banking & Investments had revenue of US$732 million, an increase of 20 percent from the second quarter of 2005. Net income increased 34 percent to US$254 million. - The Private Bank had revenue of US$549 million, a slight increase from the second quarter of 2005. Net income increased 25 percent to US$195 million. - Columbia Management had revenue of US$377 million, an increase of 15 percent from the second quarter of 2005. Net income increased 29 percent to US$81 million. - ALM/Other had revenue of US$297 million and net income of US$104 million.

All Other

All Other reflected US$20 million of net income for the quarter, compared to US$862 million in the second quarter of 2005. In 2005 All Other benefited from the results of the ALM process, including the change in the value of derivatives used as economic hedges that did not qualify for SFAS 133 and the sale of whole loans. The second quarter of 2006 included losses on sales of debt securities of US$6 million, compared to gains on sales of debt securities of US$204 million in the second quarter of 2005. Equity investment gains in this segment were US$524 million compared to US$479 million in the second quarter of 2005.

Note: Al de Molina, chief financial officer, will discuss second quarter 2006 results in a conference call at 10 a.m. (Eastern Time) today. The call can be accessed via a webcast available on the Bank of America Web site at http://investor.bankofamerica.com.

Bank of America is one of the world's largest financial institutions, serving individual consumers, small and middle market businesses and large corporations with a full range of banking, investing, asset management and other financial and risk-management products and services. The company provides unmatched convenience in the United States, serving more than 54 million consumer and small business relationships with more than 5,700 retail banking offices, nearly 17,000 ATMs and award-winning online banking with more than 19.8 million active users. Bank of America is the No. 1 overall Small Business Administration (SBA) lender in the United States and the No. 1 SBA lender to minority-owned small businesses. The company serves clients in 175 countries and has relationships with 98 percent of the U.S. Fortune 500 companies and 79 percent of the Global Fortune 500. Bank of America Corporation stock (NYSE: BAC) is listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements, including statements about the financial conditions, results of operations and earnings outlook of Bank of America Corporation. The forward-looking statements involve certain risks and uncertainties. Factors that may cause actual results or earnings to differ materially from such forward-looking statements include, among others, the following: 1) projected business increases following process changes and other investments are lower than expected; 2) competitive pressure among financial services companies increases significantly; 3) general economic conditions are less favorable than expected; 4) political conditions including the threat of future terrorist activity and related actions by the United States abroad may adversely affect the company's businesses and economic conditions as a whole; 5) changes in the interest rate environment reduce interest margins and impact funding sources; 6) changes in foreign exchange rates increases exposure; 7) changes in market rates and prices may adversely impact the value of financial products; 8) legislation or regulatory environments, requirements or changes adversely affect the businesses in which the company is engaged; 9) changes in accounting standards, rules or interpretations, 10) litigation liabilities, including costs, expenses, settlements and judgments, may adversely affect the company or its businesses; 11) mergers and acquisitions and their integration into the company; and 12) decisions to downsize, sell or close units or otherwise change the business mix of any of the company. For further information regarding Bank of America Corporation, please read the Bank of America reports filed with the SEC and available at www.sec.gov.

Please consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of Columbia mutual funds carefully before investing. Contact your financial advisor for a prospectus which contains this and other important information about the fund. Read it carefully before you invest.

Columbia Management is the primary investment management division of Bank of America Corporation. Columbia Management entities furnish investment management services and advise institutional and mutual fund portfolios. Columbia Funds are distributed by Columbia Management Distributors, Inc., member NASD, SIPC. Columbia Management Distributors, Inc. is part of Columbia Management and an affiliate of Bank of America Corporation.

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