New Benefit for BND Student Loan Borrowers
BND LinkUP Can Save Money and Reduce Debt Faster

BISMARCK-June 15, 2009-Bank of North Dakota (BND), North Dakota’s leading student loan source, is pleased to announce LinkUp, a free program that enables borrowers to use rewards they earn with Upromise® to help pay down their BND student loans.*

“We have been committed to North Dakota’s students for more than 40 years through our student loan programs,” stated Eric Hardmeyer, BND president. “With LinkUp, students can use college savings rewards from Upromise to help pay down their BND student loans, and we are proud to offer this option.”

For example, a borrower who has student loans totaling $20,000 and who earns $50 per year in Upromise rewards could save nearly $1,000 or three full months of repayment. Rewards earned through Upromise are in addition to other BND-sponsored savings programs that may include zero-fee loans or state and federal repayment benefit programs.

“To qualify for LinkUp, borrowers must have one or more eligible federal or Dakota Education Alternative Loans (DEAL) serviced by Bank of North Dakota,” said Julie Kubisiak, vice president of Student Loan Services. “Upromise rewards can be automatically applied each quarter to borrowers’ accounts.”**

Upromise members can earn college savings rewards for higher education expenses when they shop online, dine out at participating restaurants, or buy gas or groceries. Joining Upromise is free and BND customers can accrue rewards which can be applied toward a BND student loan account or moved into North Dakota’s College SAVE 529 Plan.

Family and friends also can join Upromise and link their account to a BND borrower’s account to assist with student loan payoff. This extended savings network provides direct financial assistance at the time student loan customers need it most – as they transition from college and start their careers.

To learn more about how to LinkUp your BND and Upromise accounts, visit www.upromise.com/bnd. To learn more about Upromise, visit www.upromise.com.

The nation’s only state-owned bank, BND was established in 1919 to encourage and promote agriculture, commerce and industry in North Dakota. BND has been funding student loans for over 40 years. BND is overseen by the Industrial Commission of North Dakota, consisting of Gov. John Hoeven as Chairman, Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem, and Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring.

*Upromise is an optional service offered by Upromise Inc., is separate from Bank of North Dakota and is not affiliated with the State of North Dakota. Specific terms and conditions apply. Visit www.upromise.com to learn more and join for free.

**$25 minimum required.

For more information about North Dakota’s College SAVE Plan, call 1-866-SAVE-529 (1-866-728-3529) or visit www.collegesave4u.com to obtain a Plan Disclosure Statement. Investment objectives, risks, charges, expenses, and other important information are included in the Plan Disclosure Statement; read and consider it carefully before investing. Upromise Investments, Inc. serves as Distributor and Underwriter.

If you are not a North Dakota taxpayer, consider before investing whether your or the designated beneficiary’s home state offers any state tax or other benefits that are only available for investments in such state’s qualified tuition program.

The College SAVE Plan is a 529 plan established by the State of North Dakota. Bank of North Dakota acts as trustee of the College SAVE Trust and is responsible for administering the Plan. Upromise Investments, Inc., and Upromise Investment Advisors, LLC, serve as the Plan Manager and Recordkeeping and Servicing Agent, respectively, with overall responsibility for the day-to-day operations, including effecting transactions and marketing and distribution of the Plan. The Vanguard Group, Inc. provides underlying investments for the Plan. The Plan’s Portfolios, although they invest in mutual funds, are not mutual funds. Units of the Portfolios are municipal fund securities and the value of units will vary with market conditions.

Investment returns are not guaranteed, and you could lose money by investing in the College SAVE Plan.

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