Bank of North Dakota Gives Out Three $529 College Savings Awards
"I want to go to college!" exclaims nine-year old

BISMARCK–July 28, 2008– Three North Dakota children have jumpstarted their college savings plans with a $529 award from Bank of North Dakota (BND). Each award will be placed into the recipients’ College SAVE 529 plan accounts.

College SAVE is North Dakota’s state-sponsored, tax-advantaged 529 college savings plan administered by Bank of North Dakota.

On May 29, BND sponsored 529 College Savings Day, which included events at zoos in Bismarck and Minot. Each featured a random drawing for a $529 award, along with other festivities celebrating planning for college. The winner of the Bismarck drawing was Jordan Weeks, age 7, and the winner of the Minot drawing was Kacie Rexin, age 3.

There also was a statewide drawing comprised of participants in the Zoo Day events at both locations and other residents who responded to a general mailing promoting the drawing. The winner of the statewide drawing was nine-year old Brooke Pella of Fargo.

“I want to go to college!” exclaimed Brooke when asked how winning this contest makes her think about her future.

Brooke’s mother, Lenora, entered her daughter in the drawing and described the mood in their home when they heard the news. “It was a great surprise! We danced around afterward!”

“Bank of North Dakota is proud to assist these families as they tackle the admirable task of saving for college,” explained Eric Hardmeyer, Bank of North Dakota President. “College is important and we look forward to hearing about the success of these future graduates.”

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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