BANK OF AMERICA GIVES TO CARING COUNCIL

The new Bank of America created by the merger of BankAmerica and NationasBank on Wednesday is donating $1 million to improve life in 100 communities across the U.S.

Cape Girardeau was selected as one of the communities in which a non-profit organization receives a $10,000 grant. It was presented to Community Caring Council Friday morning.

"We are pleased to present this grant to the Community Caring Council,' said Steve Taylor, community president of Bank of America (NationsBank) in Cape Girardeau. "We are even more pleased to know that this money will be used to touch the lives of people in our community. That is our intent, to make a difference in the communities we serve."

The bank here will continue to operate as NationsBank until the new Bank of America signs start going up in late 1999, said Taylor.

"I have always believed that we have the privilege -- not the right -- to do business in our communities," said Hugh McColl, Bank of American chairman and chief executive officer. "Therefore, we have an obligation to give something back.

"I have always wanted our company to matter in the communities where we work and live," said McColl. "We could think of no better way than to celebrate the birth of our new company than to demonstrate that we'll be a positive focus in our communities."

In each of the 100 communities picked, the local bank associates selected an organization to receive the award. Those organizations focus on meeting the educational needs of children and families in low- to moderate-income areas.

Bank of America, with $572 billion in assets, provides financial products and services to 30 million households and 2 million businesses as well as providing international corporate financial services for business transactions in 190 countries. Bank of America Corp. is listed on the New York, Pacific, London and Tokyo stock exchanges.