(BRADENTON, FL - September 2, 2008) During a time when government institutions, private businesses and individual families are struggling to meet the challenges of a sluggish economy, Bank of America is investing in the future of Manatee County students.

On Friday morning, August 29, 2008, Douglas J. Sherman and Andrew Reddish of Bank of America presented a $25,000 check to representatives of two Manatee District programs that benefit underprivileged children.

Take Stock in Children of Manatee County will receive $20,000 of the donation from Bank of America. The Take Stock in Children program helps high-potential, low-income students achieve success by providing them with mentors and the opportunity to attain a four-year college scholarship if they maintain good grades and exhibit positive behavior. In addition, the program offers ongoing career counseling and guidance once the students graduate from college.

The remainder of the donation will go to Project Heart, a program that ensures homeless students in Manatee County have equal opportunity to achieve academic success regardless of their living circumstances.

Diana Dill, Project Director for Take Stock in Children of Manatee County, and Deborah Bailey, Program Manager for Project Heart, were on hand at Bank of American´s Braden Plaza branch to receive the donation from Mr. Sherman and Mr. Reddish. Mr. Sherman is the President of Bank of America´s West Central Florida operations while Mr. Reddish is the Assistant Vice President for Business Banking.

“The Bank of America Foundation is proud to support education in the communities we serve,” said Mr. Sherman, who has lived in Manatee County for 25 years and whose kids attended or are attending district schools. “We know times are tough and our School Board has had to make some tough decisions, so it´s really great to be able to make a contribution to education in our community at this time.”

Deborah Bailey said the Bank of American contribution was very timely for Project Heart.

“With the back-to-school rush, we´ve already run out of some uniform sizes and all of our back packs,” Ms. Bailey said. “This donation makes all the difference because it allows us to replenish our supplies.”

Diana Dill said the combination of investing in Take Stock in Children of Manatee County and Project Heart can really make a difference in the lives of district students.

“Partnering with Project Heart is an ideal situation for our Take Stock in Children program,” Ms. Dill said. “Project Heart provides the resources for our homeless children to stay in school, and Take Stock gives them the mentors and hope to receive a college scholarship. Working together, we can help break the cycle of poverty in our community.”

A member of the Leadership Council for Take Stock in Children and the husband of Lakewood Ranch High teacher and Take Stock mentor Kari Reddish, Andrew Reddish said Bank of America is happy to contribute to a program that can change a child´s life.

“Helping education is a big part of what the Bank of America Foundation is all about,” Mr. Reddish said. “Being able to provide assistance to a program like Take Stock in Children is a dream scenario for our Foundation.”