Photo Desks/Business Editors

MCLEAN, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 30, 2008--In search of the next generation of great American photographers, Capital One Financial Corporation (NYSE:COF) and Newsweek in conjunction with Flickr today announced the "American Life" online photo contest, offering consumers the opportunity to share images that best capture the everyday moments of life in America - from amazing landscapes and sunsets to neighborhood landmarks and the family pet.

From October 27 to January 5, consumers can submit their photos at www.capitalonephotocontest.com or via the "American Life Photo Contest" group on Flickr, www.flickr.com/groups/capitaloneamericanlife. Online consumer voting from January 6, 2009 to February 6, 2009 will determine the top 50 semi-finalists. At the conclusion of public voting, Newsweek Director of Photography, Simon Barnett, who has edited and selected for publication some of the most renowned images in American life and world news, will determine one grand prize winner and two runners up whose work will be featured on Capital One's Image Card site where cardholders can personalize their credit card. Winners will be announced in March 2009.

"American life is best celebrated through the power of photography and Capital One is thrilled to partner with a leader in photojournalism like Newsweek to capture your news and celebrate your moments," said Pam Girardo, spokesperson for Capital One. "Our Image Card program allows Capital One cardholders to use a personal photo or image to create a credit card that's distinctly theirs, and with this contest we're excited to see what other images consumers want in their wallet."

The grand prize winner will receive $7,000, an exclusive meeting, photography tutorial and portfolio review with Newsweek Director of Photography, Simon Barnett, and a tour of Newsweek's Photo Department. The first runner-up will receive $6,000 and the second runner-up will receive $5,000. Each winner also will have their photo displayed as the featured image for cardholders on Capital One's Image Card site and their profile featured on www.capitalonephotocontest.com.

"Photography is a powerful way to tell a compelling story about your life and who you are as an individual," Barnett said. "With the Capital One-Newsweek American Life contest, we are searching for images that capture original, every day American moments in a meaningful way. I'm excited to get a glimpse of the imaginative individual and family moments and help select the next generation of great American photographers."

About Capital One Image Card

In 2007, Capital One announced its new Image Card tool that allows all Capital One consumer credit card customers to upload their own images - family, friends, pets or a favorite picture - to be printed on their card, at no cost. New and existing Capital One customers can go to www.capitalone.com/imagecard and upload their own photo, use Flickr photos, or choose an image from Capital One's image gallery for their card. Once the image is approved, a new card will be mailed at no cost to the customer; account terms remain intact.

About Capital One

Capital One Financial Corporation (www.capitalone.com) is a financial holding company whose subsidiaries collectively had $98.9 billion in deposits and $147.3 billion in managed loans outstanding as of September 30, 2008. Headquartered in McLean, VA, Capital One has 739 locations primarily in New York, New Jersey, Texas, and Louisiana. It is a diversified bank whose principal subsidiaries, Capital One, N.A. and Capital One Bank (USA), N. A., offer a broad spectrum of financial products and services to consumers, small businesses and commercial clients.

    CONTACT: Capital One Financial Corporation
             Pam Girardo, 703-720-2351
             pam.girardo@capitalone.com

    SOURCE: Capital One Financial Corporation