Getting good marks in school means money in the bank for Spanish Fork Middle School 6th grade student Quinn Frehner. He won the regional drawing for a $150 scholarship savings account from Zions Bank’s Pays for A’s Program. He received the surprise news about the scholarship from principal Steven Dudley, parents Brad and Debra Frehner and Zions Bank’s Spanish Fork branch manager Richard Roach during an assembly on May 19.

Open to all Utah students in middle school, junior high or high school, Zions Pays for A’s now offers cash incentives for good grades. Teen students simply take their term-end report cards from the current academic year into any Zions Bank(www.zionsbank.com) location. They’ll receive $1 per “A” deposited into their Teengreen savings accounts, or .50 cents per “A” if they opt for cash. Plus, students can enter a drawing for scholarship money when they receive one contest entry form for each of their “A’s.”

Earlier this year, Frehner brought his report card with at least one “A” grade into Zions Bank’s Spanish Fork branch. His name was selected randomly in a drawing among entrants throughout the Utah Valley region.

Students then have until July 3, 2006 to submit all of their report cards from the current 2005-2006 school year and enter the statewide drawing for the grand prize $1,000. Students need not be customers of Zions to participate. More information and full contest details are available online at www.zionsbank.com/pays4as.

“We at Zions Bank(www.zionsbank.com) are thrilled to now offer cash rewards to teens with ‘A’s.’ It’s a great way for us to recognize students like Quinn who excel in their studies,” said Richard Roach, manager of Zions Bank’s Spanish Fork branch. “As the state’s oldest community bank, Zions is proud to partner with teachers and parents in supporting teens who do their very best in school.”

Zions Bank(www.zionsbank.com) is Utah’s oldest financial institution, and is the only local bank with a statewide distribution of branches, operating 112 full-service branches throughout Utah. Zions Bank(www.zionsbank.com) also operates 23 full-service branches in Idaho, and nearly 200 ATMs throughout Utah and Idaho. In addition to a wide range of traditional banking services, Zions offers a comprehensive array of investment, mortgage, and insurance services, and has a network of loan origination offices for small businesses nationwide. The company is also a leader in providing electronic banking services, including electronic municipal bond trading. Founded in 1873, Zions has been serving the communities of Utah for more than 130 years. For more information, contact Zions Bank’s Spanish Fork branch at (801) 798-8683. Additional information is available at www.zionsbank.com.

Zions Bancorporation is one of the nation’s premier financial services companies, consisting of a collection of great banks in select high growth markets. Under local management teams and community identities, Zions operates over 500 full-service banking offices in Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Texas, Utah and Washington.

In addition, Zions is a national leader in SBA lending, public finance advisory services, and agricultural finance. The company is included in the S&P 500 Index.

More Info: https://www.zionsbank.com/

BOISE, Idaho, Oct. 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007, Zions First National Bank, a subsidiary of Zions Bancorporation (NASDAQ:ZION), approved 386 U.S. Small Business Administration 7(a) loans in Idaho’s Boise District, ranking Zions Bank as the top provider of SBA loans to small businesses. Zions’ ranking in the Boise District marks the sixth consecutive year that the bank has been the area’s No. 1 SBA lender. Zions Bank also approved another 32 loans in Northern Idaho out of the SBA’s Spokane District.

Zions Bank is Idaho’s tenth largest bank (ranked by deposits), and the 386 SBA 7(a) loans approved by Zions Bank in Southern and Eastern Idaho represent more than 43 percent of the SBA-backed loan volume in the area during fiscal year 2007.

“When considering the size of the bank in Idaho, it is very impressive that Zions continues to rank as Idaho’s number one SBA lender,” said Zions Bank’s Western Idaho regional president Toni Nielsen. “We are very proud to maintain the position as the number one SBA lender in Idaho. It exhibits our commitment to supporting small businesses as they grow, expand and create jobs. We are dedicated to helping Idaho’s forward-thinking entrepreneurs gain access to the capital they need.”

In addition to its ranking as an overall leader in SBA lending, Zions Bank also actively markets SBA loans to women- and minority-owned businesses. During fiscal year 2007, almost 37 percent (or 142) of the SBA loans approved by Zions Bank in Idaho were to minorities and women. In addition, 38 percent (or 142) went to rural businesses.

SBA 7(a) loans are the most basic and most used type loan of SBA’s business loan programs. Its name comes from section 7(a) of the Small Business Act, which authorizes the Agency to provide business loans to American small businesses. The SBA 7(a) loan program offers up to 25-year, fully amortized loans that result in lower monthly payments for the borrower. Proceeds from the 7(a) program may be used for most business purposes, including the purchase of real estate to house the business operations; construction, renovation or leasehold improvements; acquisition of furniture, fixtures, machinery, and equipment; purchase of inventory; and, working capital.

Nationwide, small firms with fewer than 500 employees represent 99.9 percent of the 26.8 million businesses in America. Small businesses employ about 50 percent of the private workforce, account for more than half of the nation’s private sector output, and are the principal source of new jobs in the U.S. economy. In Idaho, approximately 91 percent of businesses qualify as “small businesses” (businesses with fewer than 500 workers).

The U.S. Small Business Administration, established in 1953, provides financial, technical and management assistance to help Americans start, run, and grow their businesses. The SBA’s current business loan portfolio of roughly 219,000 loans worth more than $45 billion makes it the largest single financial backer of U.S. businesses in the nation.

Zions Bank operates 24 full service branches in Idaho, and nearly 200 ATMs throughout Utah and Idaho. Zions also operates 114 branches throughout Utah. In addition to a wide range of traditional banking services, Zions offers a comprehensive array of investment, mortgage, and insurance services, and has a network of loan origination offices for small businesses nationwide. The company is also a leader in providing electronic banking services, including electronic municipal bond trading. Founded in 1873, Zions has been serving the communities of the Intermountain West for more than 130 years. Additional information on Zions Bank is available at http://www.zionsbank.com/.

Zions Bank Visa debit and credit card holders can now earn cash for using their cards at a variety of local and national businesses through the new Zions Cash Rewards program.

Zions Bank Visa debit and credit card holders can now earn cash for using their cards at a variety of local and national businesses through the new Zions Cash Rewards program.

This first-of-its-kind program provides customers with up to 50 percent back in cash rebates on all kinds of everyday purchases, from restaurants and hotels to auto shops and dry cleaners. Among the nearly 700 participating merchants are Big O Tires, Real Salt Lake, Tuscany restaurant, Hammond Toys, Overstock.com, Thanksgiving Point and Caf? Trang. Cash Rewards range from $5 off a $10 purchase at Sconecutter restaurant to $100 off a $500 purchase at Joey’s Custom Jewelry & Repair in Sandy.

Unlike other bankcard rewards programs, Zions Cash Rewards does not require redemption of points or miles. There are no caps on total rewards, so the potential for cash back earnings is unlimited. Cardholders simply use a Zions Bank Visa debit or credit card at participating merchants. Cash rewards will be automatically deposited back to the client’s account. Users do not have to worry about clipping coupons, or asking questions at the cash register.

While mileage- or points-based programs are typically funded by the issuing financial institution, Zions Cash Rewards rebates are based on offers made by merchants. For example, Panache Catering in Riverton gives $200 off a $2,000 order, and Tuscany restaurant in Salt Lake City provides $15 off a $40 purchase. At the point of sale, the cardholder pays full price for the product or service. On behalf of the merchant, the reward is then electronically posted to the cardholder’s Zions Cash Rewards account, where he or she can view account activity at any time by logging into Zions Online Banking.

Clients claim rewards and deposit them to their credit card or checking account on a monthly basis by using the “Deposit My Rewards” feature in their Cash Rewards account, which is accessed at www.cashrewards.zionsbank.com. Cardholders pay no out-of-pocket costs and no annual fees.

Zions Bank employees began reaping their Zions Cash Rewards during a month-long pilot period in July. The average employee earned $7.75 in cash rewards per qualifying transaction. The largest amount of cash rewards earned by a cardholder during this pilot period was $35.

“With Zions Cash Rewards, our customers save money at businesses that they know and truly care about. At the same time, these local merchants benefit because we help foster their growth by driving business to them,” said Scott Anderson, Zions Bank president and CEO. “And the best part is, Zions Cash Rewards makes it as easy as possible for cardholders to claim their cash back rebates electronically.”

“As a Utah-based company, Access Development is proud to come together with the state’s original financial institution to launch this innovative product that brings merchants and cardholders together in a meaningful way that delivers real value to both,” said Larry Maxfield, Access Development president and CEO. “With Zions Cash Rewards, Zions Bank is setting itself apart from other card companies and creating a win-win situation for customers and local merchants alike.”

All Zions Bank personal Visa credit and debit cards are automatically enrolled in the Zions Cash Rewards program. Business accounts are not eligible at this time. For more information about opening a Zions Bank credit card or debit card, visit any Zions Bank branch or www.cashrewards.zionsbank.com.

About Access Development
Since 1984, Access Development has worked diligently as the “silent partner,” building name recognition and goodwill for the organizations it serves. The Salt Lake City-based company plays a behind-the-scenes supportive role by offering private-label services that help companies and associations build their brand equity and retain valued employees, customers and members.

About Zions Bank

Zions Bank is Utah’s oldest financial institution, and is the only local bank with a statewide distribution of branches, operating 112 full-service branches throughout Utah. Zions Bank also operates 23 full-service branches in Idaho, and more than 200 ATMs throughout Utah and Idaho. In addition to a wide range of traditional banking services, Zions offers a comprehensive array of investment, mortgage, and insurance services, and has a network of loan origination offices for small businesses nationwide. The company is also a leader in providing electronic banking services, including electronic municipal bond trading. Founded in 1873, Zions has been serving the communities of Utah for more than 130 years. Additional information is available at www.zionsbank.com