I have just come from the future. It is truly amazing! But instead of me just telling you about the future, why don't you come with me?

Imagine it is the year 2005, and we are back in Orlando — right here in this ballroom — for the 11th annual Finance One National Sales Conference. Of course, the ballroom is a lot bigger now. In fact, it is an entire stadium filled with bright and energetic faces.

All of you veterans are here, along with hundreds of new colleagues — people you helped recruit and train, and make part of the team. They have come to live the vision, just like all of you did back in 1999. They know there is a difference here at Finance One — something that makes us unique and so successful, year after year. They know there is something here that makes customers want to do business with us — a difference in the way we listen, how we work together, and help them succeed.

That difference makes our employees proud to be part of Finance One. It makes them feel good about coming to work each day and it fuels their commitment to try harder every time.

That difference, ladies and gentlemen, is our vision. Here in the future, we see the results of that vision all around us. Let’s take a walk out in the lobby and see.

(Video is shown.)

Well, she certainly seemed happy. Let’s walk a little farther down the hall. There in the front lobby is a kiosk. Let’s take a look.

(Video is shown.)

Another happy family, and we were there. I hear some music out by the pool. Let’s take a walk outside and see who is there.

[Video is shown]

Well, now you are feeling pretty good about yourself. You walk inside — go back to your room, and download the latest news headlines on your laptop. One of them catches your eye — BANK ONE named best place to work in America for third year in a row. You are not surprised. You helped make it happen.

That is the future, ladies and gentlemen — and it is not far away. It will happen.

How do I know? Because you have been making our vision come true since the beginning of Finance One. Let’s travel back in time — back to 1993 — and let me show you what I mean.

[Video is shown]

Hey look! There is Steve Alonso back in the early days. He really knew how to paint a vision of the future, and to lead his people to get there.

In 1993, Banc One Financial Services "was" Finance One. We had 280 employees in Marion, Indiana, and assets were just $300 million. That did not stop Steve's group from having big dreams. They captured those dreams in a vision drawing, and focused on making it happen.

And guess what? Banc One Financial Services went from a $300 million business…to a $3 billion business in 1998! That is a long way from the little company that started in Marion, Indiana.

The original plan to cover the United States now covers the entire globe — as BOFS looks to expand in Canada and overseas in the United Kingdom. Our partnerships with BANK ONE have also taken off beyond our wildest dreams!

Loan customer referrals from the retail bank branches and First USA credit cards now account for half of all BOFS retail loan volume! We are giving customers another chance for a loan and growing our business at a phenomenal rate in the process.

With all this success, it was not hard to convince BANK ONE to add more businesses to the division. Over the years, the division added: an education finance unit, tax-related products, and home loan services, which provides loans through brokers and other third parties. And just last year, Banc One Mortgage joined the division, giving Finance One a super new team of talented professionals.

The division today has 3,800 employees and $11 billion in assets. All told, the Consumer Division grew an incredible 43% annually from 1996 to 1998! Including mortgage, 1998 earnings were a record $231 million. Consumer division…you have lived the vision that you drew years ago. Give yourselves a big hand!

Now let’s go back again to 1995, the year Banc One Leasing became Finance One’s Commercial Division. Back then, the leasing company faced an onslaught of challenges. Their growth was stalled. Their future was unclear. In fact, their very survival was at stake.

Just like Steve's division, Commercial applied the breakthrough process and drew a clear picture of its future. Pre-tax income grew at an annual rate of 100% from 1995 to 1998! How did it happen? 250 people relentlessly pursuing — in fact, living — a shared vision.

I will also tell you that this only could have happened with a great leader. Someone who knows how to motivate people, how to give them direction. Someone who is serious about pleasing the customer, and also knows when to have a little fun. That person is Rick Ballantine.

Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the real Rick Ballantine to the stage. Rick, come on up here. Rick, under your leadership the leasing company has moved on to BANK ONE’S commercial bank. I know you and your team take a bit of Finance One with you. We are proud that you are taking the breakthrough process — and a record of breakthrough success — to another part of BANK ONE CORPORATION. Thanks, Rick, for all you have done for Finance One. Best of luck for continued success — and just remember to have fun while you are doing it.

[Shakes hands with Rick Ballantine, who then leaves stage.]

Now that is what I call a timeless moment.

Well, the next stop in our journey through Finance One past is 1996. That is when the indirect auto lending businesses of about 70 banks were brought together to form Finance One's Indirect Division.

Since then, Banc One Credit Company, has undergone rapid — and continuing — change. From consolidation to new technology. From several transitions in leadership to a completely new business proposition. From online auto shopping to Wayne Huizenga and his megadealerships.

And it has prospered during this change. How? By bringing the total package of financial products — retail and wholesale — to our most important dealers. By recognizing changes in demand, and producing superior auto lease, used car and custom financing products that allowed us to gain market share. By always staying ahead of the curve.

Because through all this change, one thing has remained constant — the vision painted by Banc One Credit Company. Under the direction of Ed Tinsley, that vision is now really beginning to take off.

We are reaching customers online through programs like U.S. Wheels. And we are offering car dealers new services to increase business, like The One Care warranty program.

The division today manages $25 billion in assets. There are over 3,000 employees doing business with 10,000 dealers in 44 states.

Indirect — you deserve a big round of applause!

So you see, in all of our divisions, we have had a proud history of success. You have helped us reach our dreams again and again.

As we look ahead, here in 1999, I ask you, "What will drive our next five years of growth? What will make us the kind of company customers want to do business with? And people want to work for? How do we get back to the future that we saw here tonight?"

It starts with the vision. The Finance One Vision is:

Now, I admit, that is a mouthful. So let’s break it down so we can really understand it.

First, our vision communicates who we are — a finance company. It tells us what drives our success — "profitability" and "innovation." We know that we must operate as a "national" company. And that we strive "to be the best." Most important, our vision reminds us of why we are in business. We are here to "help customers achieve their goals."

This is true no matter what finance one business you are in.

Banc One Financial Services, helps customers get out of the debt tunnel and secure their financial future. Banc One Credit Company provides expertise and support to help dealers make more money and to survive industry changes and consolidation. Banc One Mortgage, Education Finance, and Home Improvement — they are all about helping customers get over hurdles and get what they want in life.

So what makes us different? The words themselves are meaningless. It is how we act that makes the difference.

As you look to the week ahead, think about this vision and what it means to you. Make it real. Make it personal. Let it drive everything you do. Because the only way to get back to the future we saw tonight is by living the vision.

Living the vision is about making a personal commitment to the long-term direction and success of Finance One. It goes beyond simply understanding and believing in the vision, to a much more personal interpretation. It is about achieving alignment between what you enjoy doing and what you do on the job. People who live the vision consider their career to be an essential part of their lives. They are intensely proud to be part of Finance One and to serve their customers. They just feel good.

This week you will meet some colleagues at Finance One who are truly living the vision.

On Monday, you will see why having heart is the only way to live the vision for your customers. On Tuesday, you will learn how we can create a culture that promotes leadership and values respect and how that culture can give us the rhythm that Steve sang about before. Then on Wednesday, you will be asked to make your personal commitment to living the vision — something that will make you shout as loud as Dale did earlier tonight.

Each morning this week, you will prepare for this commitment by meeting with your commitment team leaders. Be sure to participate. It is important. Because giving it your all, your desire, your determination, your breakthrough ideas…that is what it takes, ladies and gentlemen. Your commitment to living the vision is the only way we will reach it.

Good evening again, Finance One. It feels great to be standing here in my official "achievement awards" tuxedo. It brings out the Billy Crystal in me. Let me say, "You look maAAA-vel-ous!" I see the stars are really out tonight.

Thanks to you, 1998 was one heck of a year for Finance One. Lots of changes. Lots of growth. And lots of breakthroughs!

Before we hand out the awards, remember that you are all winners. We simply could not have done what we did in 1998 without you. So let’s start by giving us all a big hand!

(Don leads applause.)

The producers told me they would cut my monologue if I went on too long. So, let’s get on with the awards. Let’s start with one of my favorite categories…the Wink Awards!

(Presentation of Wink Awards is followed by Integration Champion Awards, Presidents’ Awards and Finance One Chairman Award.)

Congratulations, winners!

What an incredible evening this has been! We have had a great time. And, we hope you have, too. It just goes to show you what you can accomplish when you have one great team, focused on one vision, determined to be one company above all others. We are off to one terrific start!