Exhibit 99.1
March 22, 2004
Investors may contact:
Kevin Stitt, Bank of America, 704.386.5667
Lee McEntire, Bank of America, 704.388.6780
Media may contact:
Eloise Hale, Bank of America, 704.387.0013
Bank of America announces new Board of Directors
CHARLOTTE —Bank of America Corporation today announced the members of its new board of directors, who are charged with leading the company following the completion of its merger with FleetBoston Financial Corporation, scheduled for April 1.
“The individuals on our new board represent the highest standards of leadership in America, and bring to our company the experience and skills necessary to oversee a large, complex business enterprise,” said Kenneth D. Lewis, chairman, chief executive officer and president of Bank of America. “We deliberately chose a diverse group of individuals from around the country, with professional backgrounds in corporate and financial management, academics and public service, to ensure a broad range of skills, experience and perspectives among the leadership that will guide us in the future.”
“The group we are naming today as the new leaders of our company share a strong commitment to corporate governance and adherence to the values upon which our company is founded,” said Charles K. Gifford, chairman and chief executive officer of Fleet. “We thank our departing board members for their wisdom, counsel and service to our customers and shareholders. We welcome this new board with our full confidence as we look forward to the bright future of Bank of America.”
Under the merger agreement, the new board consists of 12 directors selected by Bank of America and 7 directors selected by Fleet. Gifford will be chairman of the board. Lewis will be chief executive officer of the company.
The directors are:
William Barnet, III, 61
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Barnet Company, Inc.
Director of Fleet since 1985
John T. Collins, 57
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Collins Group, Inc.
Director of Fleet since 1992
Charles W. Coker, 70
Chairman, Sonoco Products Company
Director of Bank of America since 1969
Gary L. Countryman, 64
Chairman Emeritus, Liberty Mutual Insurance Company
Director of Fleet since 1982
Paul Fulton, 69
Chairman, Bassett Furniture Industries
Director of Bank of America since 1993
Charles K. Gifford, 61
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Fleet
Director of Fleet since 1987
Donald E. Guinn, 71
Chairman Emeritus, Pacific Telesis Group
Director of Bank of America since 1998
James H. Hance, Jr., 59
Vice Chairman and Chief Financial Officer, Bank of America Corporation
Director of Bank of America since 1999
Kenneth D. Lewis, 56
Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President, Bank of America Corporation
Director of Bank of America since 1999
Walter E. Massey, 65
President, Morehouse College
Director of Bank of America since 1998
Thomas J. May, 56
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, NSTAR
Director of Fleet since 1994
C. Steven McMillan, 58
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Sara Lee Corporation
Director of Bank of America since 2001
Eugene M. McQuade, 55
President and Chief Operating Officer, Fleet
Director of Fleet since 2003
Patricia E. Mitchell, 61
President and Chief Executive Officer, Public Broadcasting Service
Director of Bank of America since 2001
Edward L. Romero, 70
Former Ambassador to Spain
Director of Bank of America since 2003
Thomas M. Ryan, 51
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, CVS Corporation
Director of Fleet since 1997
O. Temple Sloan, Jr., 65
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, General Parts, Inc.
Director of Bank of America since 1996
Meredith R. Spangler, 66
Chairman of the Board, C.D. Spangler Foundation and a Director,
C.D. Spangler Construction Company
Director of Bank of America since 1988
Jackie M. Ward, 65
Outside Managing Director, Intec Telecom Systems PLC
Director of Bank of America since 1994
Bank of America is one of the world’s largest financial institutions, serving individual consumers, small businesses and large corporations and institutions with a diverse range of banking, investing, asset management and other financial and risk management products and services. The company provides unmatched convenience for consumers in the United States, serving 1 in 3 American households. Bank of America Corporation stock (ticker: BAC) is listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
www.bankofamerica.com
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