The ABAQ NASDAQ Index includes all NASDAQ listed banks and thrifts or their holding companies that are designated as banks by the Industry Classification Benchmark (or that which the American Bankers Association determines should be classified as such), excluding

1. Any of the 50 largest banks or thrifts based on asset size (and their holding companies), as determined by the most recently available call report data as complied by the FDIC.
2. Any banks or thrifts classified as having an "international specialization," as determined by the most recently available call report data as complied by the FDIC, provided that such institutions constitute the majority of assets if in a holding company.
3. Any banks or thrifts classified as having a "Credit-card Specialization," as determined by the most recently available call report data as complied by the FDIC, provided that such institutions constitute the majority of assets if in a holding company.

• The Index is capital weighted and split/spin-off adjusted.
• Index methods: Intraday price and total return.

1. The intraday index is calculated every 15 seconds and is disseminated over the NASDAQ Index Dissemination Service. It can be accessed through financial data vendors using the ticker symbol ABAQ.
2. The total return index is calculated once a day and is available on the NASDAQ website at www.nasdaq.com/aspx/TotalReturn.aspx

• The initial value of the Index was set at 250 based on December 2, 2003 closing prices, and includes all banks and thrifts or their holding companies that were listed on September 30, 2003 and met Index criteria on December 2, 2003.
• Eligible banks and thrifts or their holding companies are added to the index semiannually on June 1 and December 1, and will be determined based on companies listed at the end of the preceding month that meet Index criteria.

Questions? Please contact Helen Sullivan.