Bank of America Reports Third Quarter Earnings of $5.42 Billion, or $1.18 Per Share

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Oct. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Bank of America Corporation today reported that net income in the third quarter of 2006 rose 41 percent to $5.42 billion from $3.84 billion a year earlier. Per-share earnings (diluted) were $1.18, up 24 percent from $0.95 a year earlier. Return on average common shareholders' equity for the third quarter was 16.64 percent. Under purchase accounting rules, results for the third quarter of 2005 do not include MBNA, which was acquired on January 1, 2006.

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Excluding merger and restructuring charges of $269 million pre-tax, equal to 4 cents per share, the company earned $5.59 billion, or $1.22 per share (diluted), in the third quarter of 2006. A year earlier merger and restructuring charges of $120 million related to the acquisition of FleetBoston Financial reduced per-share earnings by 2 cents.

"Bank of America turned in another solid performance this quarter, highlighted by strong sales, good expense control and excellent execution across the company," said Kenneth D. Lewis, chairman and chief executive officer. "While margins continue to be under pressure due to the continuing flat yield curve and intense competition, we are benefiting from our ability to provide unmatched convenience and innovative financial solutions to our customers and clients. Our scale and scope is enabling us to make substantial investments across our company to drive growth while continuing to produce the financial results our shareholders expect."

Revenue grew 32 percent from a year earlier while noninterest expense was up 22 percent. On a pro forma basis (including MBNA's third quarter of 2005 results), revenue increased 10 percent while noninterest expense was up 2 percent, resulting in positive operating leverage. Historical information regarding pro forma results was included in the Form 8-K filed on April 10, 2006.

For the first nine months of 2006, Bank of America earned $15.88 billion, or $3.44 per share (diluted), compared to $12.89 billion, or $3.16 per share a year ago.

Third Quarter 2006 Highlights - On a pro forma basis, average managed Card Services loans grew 7 percent to a record $193.32 billion. On a GAAP basis, average held Card Services loans increased $38.53 billion to $95.95 billion, mostly attributable to MBNA. Bank of America is now the leading credit card provider in the United Kingdom. During 2006, the bank renewed contracts with 900 affinity partners, including NASCAR, the New York Mets, the National Association of Homebuilders, Penn State Alumni Association, University of North Carolina and UCLA. - Retail checking accounts grew by a record 744,000 in the third quarter, helped by innovative programs such as Keep the Change.(TM) To date, more than 3 million participating customers have enrolled in Keep the Change and saved over $200 million. - Home equity production increased 16 percent to $20.68 billion in the quarter due to strong sales in the banking centers and an increase in average loan size. Ending home equity portfolio balances grew 22 percent to $82.16 billion. - Debit card income increased 24 percent from the same quarter last year to $502 million and purchase volume grew 19 percent to a record $42.86 billion. Bank of America customers made more than 1 billion transactions with their debit cards during the quarter. Bank of America's market share of debit card transactions is 16 percent, twice that of the nearest competitor. - In the third quarter, average business loans to small businesses with less than $2.5 million in annual sales grew 73 percent to nearly $13 billion compared to the third quarter of 2005. On a pro forma basis, this quarter over quarter loan growth was 31 percent. In June, Bank of America introduced Business 24/7,(TM) a new suite of services targeted at the small business marketplace. - Total average loans and leases grew 14 percent in Global Corporate and Investment Banking to more than $246 billion as businesses continued to invest and expand. - Total assets under management in Global Wealth and Investment Management grew 13 percent to $517 billion, driving a 9 percent growth in asset management fees. Eighty-eight percent of mutual fund assets under management were invested in funds (equity, fixed income, and money market funds) where at least one share class placed in the top two quartiles of its peer group as of Aug. 31, 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. Third Quarter 2006 Financial Summary Revenue

Revenue on a fully taxable-equivalent basis grew 32 percent to $18.96 billion from $14.35 billion in the third quarter of 2005. Last year's results did not include MBNA.

Net interest income on a fully taxable-equivalent basis was $8.89 billion, compared to $7.93 billion the previous year. Besides the addition of MBNA, the increase was driven by loan growth and increases in asset-liability management activity, partially offset by higher cost of funding due to lower deposit levels. The net interest yield decreased 5 basis points to 2.73 percent.

Noninterest income was up 57 percent to $10.01 billion from $6.42 billion. Besides the addition of MBNA, which helped boost card income, these results were impacted by continued strength in service fee income and increases in trading account profits. Other income increased significantly due to a $720 million pre-tax gain on the sale of the bank's Brazilian operations. In 2005 this component was affected negatively by approximately $400 million due to 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.

Sales of debt securities resulted in a $469 million net loss in the third quarter of 2006 as the company repositioned its balance sheet compared to a $29 million net gain in the third quarter of 2005.

Efficiency

The efficiency ratio for the third quarter of 2006 was 46.75 percent (45.33 percent before merger and restructuring charges) driven by continued positive operating leverage. The sale of the Brazilian operations benefited the efficiency ratio by approximately 200 basis points. Noninterest expense increased to $8.86 billion from $7.29 billion a year ago. Expenses increased primarily due to MBNA, including $269 million in pre-tax merger and restructuring charges.

Cost savings for the merger in the third quarter were $357 million pre- tax, due primarily to personnel reductions, technology savings and marketing synergies. The transition has exceeded projected savings targets for 2006.

Credit Quality

Consumer credit quality remained stable and commercial credit quality continued to be good. Net charge-offs increased from the third quarter of 2005 due to the addition of MBNA and previously reserved for charge-offs associated with credit card minimum payment requirements. This was partially offset by lower commercial net charge-offs, as 2005 included charge-offs related to the domestic airline industry, and lower 2006 credit card bankruptcy related charge-offs. Provision expense was essentially flat compared to the third quarter of 2005 as increases from the addition of MBNA were partially offset by reduced credit-related costs on the domestic credit card portfolio.

- Provision for credit losses was $1.17 billion, up from $1.01 billion in the second quarter of 2006, and up slightly from $1.16 billion a year earlier. - Net charge-offs were $1.28 billion, or 0.75 percent of average loans and leases. Net charge-offs were $1.02 billion, or 0.65 percent, in the second quarter of 2006 and $1.15 billion, or 0.84 percent, in the third quarter of 2005. Total managed net losses were $2.20 billion, or 1.11 percent of total average managed loans and leases. This compared to $1.81 billion, or 0.98 percent in the second quarter of 2006 and $1.24 billion, or 0.90 percent in the third quarter of 2005. - Nonperforming assets were $1.66 billion, or 0.25 percent of total loans, leases and foreclosed properties, as of September 30, 2006. This compared to $1.64 billion, or 0.25 percent, at June 30, 2006 and $1.60 billion, or 0.29 percent, on September 30, 2005. - The total allowance for loan and lease losses was $8.87 billion, or 1.33 percent of total loans and leases, at September 30, 2006. This compared to $9.08 billion, or 1.36 percent, at June 30, 2006 and $8.33 billion, or 1.50 percent, at September 30, 2005, which did not include MBNA. Capital Management

Total shareholders' equity was $133.60 billion at September 30, 2006. Period-end assets were $1.45 trillion. The Tier 1 Capital Ratio increased to 8.48 percent from 8.33 percent on June 30, 2006 and 8.27 percent a year earlier.

During the quarter, Bank of America paid a cash dividend of $0.56 per share. Additionally, the company issued approximately 30 million common shares primarily related to employee stock options and ownership plans, and repurchased nearly 60 million common shares. Period-ending common shares issued and outstanding were 4.50 billion for the third quarter of 2006, compared to 4.53 billion for the second quarter of 2006 and 4.01 billion for the third quarter of 2005.

Third Quarter 2006 Business Segment Results Global Consumer and Small Business Banking (Dollars in millions) Q3 2006 Q3 2005 Total Revenue (1) $10,443 $7,266 Provision for credit losses 1,144 1,107 Noninterest expense 4,730 3,255 Net Income 2,889 1,842 Efficiency ratio 45.31% 44.80% Return on average equity 18.42 25.23 Loans and leases (2) $193,845 $145,726 Deposits (2) 330,368 310,530 (1) Fully taxable-equivalent basis (2) Balances averaged for period

Revenue grew 44 percent to $10.44 billion and net income increased 57 percent to $2.89 billion. Last year's third quarter results did not include MBNA. Results were driven by higher card income due to the MBNA acquisition and higher net interest margin. On a pro forma basis (including MBNA's third quarter of 2005 results), revenue increased 4 percent while net income increased 13 percent.

Sales of consumer financial products increased across-the-board, as the business leveraged its leading franchises in both banking centers and online capabilities. Franchise sales totaled 12 million products, an increase of 9 percent from the third quarter of 2005, including record performance in checking, debit and online sales.

On a GAAP basis, deposit balances increased by $20 billion or 6 percent, driven by the addition of the MBNA deposit portfolio. On a proforma basis, deposits declined 2 percent from a year ago as the company continued to balance growth and profitability.

E-Commerce sales grew to more than 2 million units in the quarter, driven by checking, savings and credit card sales. Bankofamerica.com now has 20.6 million active users and 10.8 million active bill-payers.

- Deposits revenue increased 10 percent to $4.37 billion compared to the third quarter of 2005, while net income increased 7 percent to $1.30 billion. On a pro forma basis, deposits revenue increased 9 percent compared to the third quarter of 2005, while net income increased 6 percent. - Card Services had revenue of $5.33 billion, an increase of 137 percent compared to the third quarter of 2005. Net income more than tripled to $1.48 billion. On a pro forma basis, Card Services recorded an increase in revenue of 7 percent compared to the third quarter of 2005, while net income increased 47 percent. The disproportionate increase in net income is driven by a decrease in provision and non-interest expense versus prior year. - Home Equity had revenue of $374 million, an increase of 6 percent from the third quarter of 2005. Net income increased 5 percent to $123 million. - Mortgage had revenue of $354 million compared to $407 million in the third quarter of 2005 and net income of $60 million compared to $93 million a year ago. - ALM/Other had revenue of $11 million compared to $284 million in the third quarter of 2005 and a net loss of $74 million compared to net income of $100 million in the third quarter of 2005. On a pro forma basis, revenue was $301 million while net income was $110 million in the third quarter of 2005. The decrease in net income is due to a lower contribution from ALM activities due to a flatter yield curve. Global Corporate and Investment Banking (Dollars in millions) Q3 2006 Q3 2005 Total Revenue (1) $6,015 $5,289 Provision for credit losses 22 12 Noninterest expense 2,965 2,854 Net Income 1,922 1,551 Efficiency ratio 49.30% 53.96% Return on average equity 18.62 14.91 Loans and leases (2) $246,419 $216,121 Deposits (2) 206,576 188,901 Trading-related assets (2) 340,521 328,713 (1) Fully taxable-equivalent basis (2) Balances averaged for period

Revenue increased 14 percent to $6.02 billion from $5.29 billion. Net income rose 24 percent to $1.92 billion. Most of the increase was due to the $720 million pre-tax gain from the sale of Bank of America's Brazilian operations. Excluding the impact of the Brazil transaction, revenue grew by 1 percent and net income declined by 4 percent, or $67 million.

Besides Brazil, the growth in revenue was driven by increased results in Global Treasury Services and strong growth in loans and deposits, which was somewhat offset by spread compression and lower equity investment gains. Excluding Brazil, net income was lower due to increased personnel costs, reflecting the build out of capital markets services and products.

Capital Markets and Advisory Services benefited from increased sales and trading results in Credit Products and Structured Products, which were offset by lower results in Liquid Products.

- Capital Markets and Advisory Services had revenue of $1.87 billion and net income of $324 million, compared to revenue of $1.84 billion and net income of $422 million in the third quarter of 2005. - Business Lending had revenue of $1.40 billion and net income of $519 million, compared to revenue of $1.51 billion and net income of $569 million in the third quarter of 2005. - Treasury Services had revenue of $1.70 billion, up 12 percent from third quarter 2005, generating net income of $564 million, or an increase of 20 percent. - ALM/Other had revenue of $1.04 billion and net income of $515 million, up nearly six-fold primarily due to the sale of the Brazilian operations, which closed during the quarter. Global Wealth and Investment Management (Dollars in millions) Q3 2006 Q3 2005 Total Revenue (1) $1,868 $1,819 Provision for credit losses (1) (1) Noninterest expense 992 924 Net Income 553 568 Efficiency ratio 53.12% 50.79% Return on average equity 21.68 22.51 Loans and leases (2) $62,271 $55,260 Deposits (2) 113,529 118,135 (in billions) At 9/30/06 At 9/30/05 Assets under management $517.1 $457.4 (1) Fully taxable-equivalent basis (2) Balances averaged for period

Revenue increased 3 percent, driven by higher asset management fees and continued migration of qualified banking relationships from Global Consumer and Small Business Banking into Premier Banking. Net income decreased slightly due to higher personnel expenses associated with an aggressive hiring strategy of investment professionals.

Asset management fees increased 9 percent from the third quarter of 2005 due to continued strong performance at Columbia Management. Higher assets under management balances were driven by total net asset inflows of $47 billion, in addition to increased market values of $13 billion.

- Premier Banking & Investments had revenue of $704 million, an increase of 7 percent, and net income of $228 million, up 10 percent compared to the same period a year ago. - The Private Bank had revenue of $501 million, down 3 percent from the same period last year and net income of $103 million, down nearly 28 percent. - Columbia Management had revenue of $377 million, an increase of 12 percent, and net income of $80 million, an increase of 7 percent from the same period a year ago. - ALM/Other had revenue of $286 million, a decrease of 5 percent and net income of $142 million, essentially flat from the same period a year ago. All Other

All Other reflected $52 million of net income for the quarter, compared to a net loss of $120 million in the third quarter of 2005. In 2005, All Other was negatively affected by 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. The third quarter of 2006 included losses on sales of debt securities of $483 million, compared to gains on sales of debt securities of $13 million in the third quarter of 2005. Equity investment gains in this segment were $687 million compared to $640 million in the third quarter of 2005.

Note: Al de Molina, chief financial officer, will discuss third quarter 2006 results in a conference call at 9:30 a.m. (Eastern Time) today. The call can be accessed via a webcast available on the Bank of America website 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 55 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 20 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 80 percent of the Global Fortune 500. Bank of America Corporation stock 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 http://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.

Bank of America Selected Financial Data (1) Three Months Nine Months Ended September 30 Ended September 30 2006 2005 2006 2005 (Dollars in millions, except per share data; shares in thousands) Financial Summary Earnings $5,416 $3,841 $15,877 $12,891 Earnings per common share 1.20 0.96 3.49 3.21 Diluted earnings per common share 1.18 0.95 3.44 3.16 Dividends paid per common share 0.56 0.50 1.56 1.40 Closing market price per common share 53.57 42.10 53.57 42.10 Average common shares issued and outstanding 4,499,704 4,000,573 4,547,693 4,012,924 Average diluted common shares issued and outstanding 4,570,558 4,054,659 4,614,599 4,072,991 Summary Income Statement Net interest income $8,586 $7,735 $25,992 $22,878 Total noninterest income 10,067 6,416 28,566 19,403 Total revenue 18,653 14,151 54,558 42,281 Provision for credit losses 1,165 1,159 3,440 2,614 Gains (losses) on sales of debt securities (469) 29 (464) 1,013 Other noninterest expense 8,594 7,165 25,943 21,008 Merger and restructuring charges 269 120 561 353 Income before income taxes 8,156 5,736 24,150 19,319 Income tax expense 2,740 1,895 8,273 6,428 Net income $5,416 $3,841 $15,877 $12,891 Summary Average Balance Sheet Total loans and leases $673,477 $539,497 $641,909 $528,331 Securities 236,033 225,952 235,874 219,314 Total earning assets 1,302,366 1,137,629 1,258,927 1,100,685 Total assets 1,497,987 1,294,754 1,457,087 1,258,041 Total deposits 676,851 632,771 670,552 633,614 Shareholders' equity 129,262 101,246 129,256 99,832 Common shareholders' equity 129,098 100,974 129,021 99,561 Performance Ratios Return on average assets 1.43 % 1.18 % 1.46 % 1.37 % Return on average common shareholders' equity 16.64 15.09 16.44 17.29 Return on average tangible common shareholders' equity 34.90 27.34 33.73 31.76 Credit Quality Net charge-offs $1,277 $1,145 $3,122 $2,914 Annualized net charge-offs as a % of average loans and leases outstanding 0.75 % 0.84 % 0.65 % 0.74 % Managed credit card net losses as a % of average managed credit card receivables 4.23 5.74 3.68 6.04 At September 30 2006 2005 Balance Sheet Highlights Loans and leases $669,149 $554,612 Total securities 195,152 227,485 Total earning assets 1,216,965 1,091,689 Total assets 1,449,211 1,252,267 Total deposits 665,905 626,477 Total shareholders' equity 133,597 101,728 Common shareholders' equity 132,771 101,457 Book value per share 29.52 25.28 Tangible common equity ratio (2) 4.16 % 4.39 % Risk-based capital ratios: Tier 1 8.48 * 8.27 Total 11.46 * 11.19 Leverage ratio 6.16 * 5.90 Period-end common shares issued and outstanding 4,498,145 4,013,063 Allowance for credit losses: Allowance for loan and lease losses $8,872 $8,326 Reserve for unfunded lending commitments 388 390 Total $9,260 $8,716 Allowance for loan and lease losses as a % of total loans and leases 1.33 % 1.50 % Allowance for loan and lease losses as a % of total nonperforming loans and leases 562 556 Total nonperforming loans and leases $1,580 $1,498 Total nonperforming assets 1,656 1,597 Nonperforming assets as a % of: Total assets 0.11 % 0.13 % Total loans, leases and foreclosed properties 0.25 0.29 Nonperforming loans and leases as a % of total loans and leases 0.24 0.27 Other Data Full-time equivalent employees 200,220 177,539 Number of banking centers - domestic 5,722 5,844 Number of branded ATMs - domestic 16,846 16,714 * Preliminary data Information for periods beginning January 1, 2006 includes the MBNA acquisition; prior periods have not been restated. BUSINESS SEGMENT RESULTS Global Global Global Consumer Corporate Wealth and and and Small Business Investment Investment All Banking Banking Management Other Three Months Ended September 30, 2006 Total revenue (FTE) (3) $10,443 $6,015 $1,868 $635 Net income 2,889 1,922 553 52 Shareholder value added 1,542 828 291 (215) Return on average equity 18.42 % 18.62 % 21.68 % n/m Average loans and leases $193,845 $246,419 $62,271 $170,942 Three Months Ended September 30, 2005 Total revenue (FTE) (3) $7,266 $5,289 $1,819 $(25) Net income 1,842 1,551 568 (120) Shareholder value added 1,177 450 310 (614) Return on average equity 25.23 % 14.91 % 22.51 % n/m Average loans and leases $145,726 $216,121 $55,260 $122,390 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2006 Total revenue (FTE) (3) $31,062 $17,293 $5,791 $1,280 Net income 8,644 5,221 1,801 211 Shareholder value added 4,546 1,865 1,009 (483) Return on average equity 18.16 16.50 23.34 n/m Average loans and leases $189,378 $242,161 $60,496 $149,874 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2005 Total revenue (FTE) (3) $21,028 $15,651 $5,421 $770 Net income 5,258 5,108 1,707 818 Shareholder value added 3,297 1,820 938 (507) Return on average equity 24.29 16.43 22.68 n/m Average loans and leases $142,267 $210,038 $53,063 $122,963 n/m = not meaningful Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30 September 30 2006 2005 2006 2005 SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL DATA Fully taxable-equivalent basis data (3) Net interest income $8,894 $7,933 $26,860 $23,467 Total revenue 18,961 14,349 55,426 42,870 Net interest yield 2.73 % 2.78 % 2.85 % 2.85 % Efficiency ratio 46.75 50.76 47.82 49.83 Reconciliation of net income to operating earnings Net income $5,416 $3,841 $15,877 $12,891 Merger and restructuring charges 269 120 561 353 Related income tax benefit (100) (40) (208) (118) Operating earnings $5,585 $3,921 $16,230 $13,126 Operating Basis Diluted earnings per common share $1.22 $0.97 $3.52 $3.22 Return on average assets 1.48 % 1.20 % 1.49 % 1.40 % Return on average common shareholders' equity 17.16 15.39 16.81 17.61 Return on average tangible common shareholders' equity 35.16 27.91 34.48 32.34 Efficiency ratio 45.33 49.92 46.81 49.00 Reconciliation of net income to shareholder value added Net income $5,416 $3,841 $15,877 $12,891 Amortization of intangibles 441 201 1,322 613 Merger and restructuring charges, net of tax benefit 169 80 353 235 Capital charge (3,580) (2,799) (10,615) (8,191) Shareholder value added $2,446 $1,324 $6,937 $5,548 (1) Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to current period presentation. (2) Tangible common equity ratio equals common shareholders' equity less goodwill and intangible assets divided by total assets less goodwill and intangible assets. (3) Fully taxable-equivalent (FTE) basis is a performance measure used by management in operating the business that management believes provides investors with a more accurate picture of the interest margin for comparative purposes. Information for periods beginning January 1, 2006 includes the MBNA acquisition; prior periods have not been restated.