Thank you, ladies and gentlemen. I have been waiting to do that all week! We have a lot of fun with the Kato Attack at Finance One. It is one of my favorite jobs — not just because I get to dress up or because I get to talk to so many of you around the country.

Let me tell you why it is so important. The Kato is our "commitment check." It is how we challenge each other — how we "inspect what we expect," and inspire our teammates to the next level. However, that is not just up to me. We should all be working together to follow through on our commitments.

You have all been assigned a buddy this week. Challenge each other throughout the year. Call each other — or drop by — and ask, "How are you living the vision?" Because commitment is the only way to get there, folks.

As the 1999 sales conference draws to a close, think about what you learned his week. And what you will do differently this year as a result. How will you live the vision in 1999?

On Sunday, we heard from John B. McCoy about the future of Bank One and how Finance One will contribute to that future. We looked at where we might be five years from now, and we honored those top performers who helped us get this far. On Monday, we learned how living the vision through serving our customers can be incredibly motivating and personally rewarding. Tuesday, we saw how a culture built on solid values, respect, and strong leadership can inspire us to live the vision every day, in everything we do. And today, we put our commitments in writing.

Now it is time to bring this message home. More than 100 of you have agreed to be our World Tour leaders — to share what you have experienced at this year’s sales conference with those who are not here, so that they can make their commitments, too. You have an important job. And I would like to recognize you. Will all of the World Tour leaders please stand? Let’s give them a big hand!

As we look together to 1999, let me tell you, Finance One has an ambitious goal to reach this year. We are committed to record earnings in 1999 that will exceed 1998 by an incredible 28%!

Let me also tell you, we cannot get there by simply focusing on that goal. We need to see beyond that goal. We need to look to the future…to the picture we have painted. We need to pursue it relentlessly in everything we do. We need to live the vision. And when we do, we will achieve much more than our goals. We will reach beyond our wildest dreams. We will be a success.

So, let me begin by making my personal commitment to living the vision in 1999. This is my pledge to all of you, my team. You have my 100% support and my commitment. I will proudly live the vision with you in 1999.

Come on up here, Rich and Dick!

How about it, ladies and gentlemen. Let’s recognize Dick Vague and Rich Lehmann for their support!

Ok — Ed, Steve, Dale come on up here.

I want to thank you, ladies and gentlemen, for this week, for your hard work, and for our commitment. I am proud to be part of this team.

We set out on this journey in 1995 with a "pioneering spirit" — that spirit is still alive. We had a simple goal — to achieve success and make Finance One America’s best. We created a vision, and we have been faithful to it. We knew what we had to do, and we set out to do it. We gave it our all, then we gave it some more, and we have seen ourselves grow like never before.

We have learned, gotten sharper and become more adept, and the promises we made, are now promises kept. Finally, our efforts have brought us all here, to the threshold of an era, a whole new frontier.

Yes, we have come a long way since we first made our start — yet the rest of the journey is the most important part. For it is what we do now and from this moment on — that will fulfill our vision for Finance One. We are experienced, capable, solid and steady — committed, determined, eager and ready.

We have what it takes; we just have to give it. Our vision is complete — all that is left is to live it.