Indianapolis, IN, MARCH 30, 2006 – During the month of April, Old National Bank is helping save babies from prematurity and helping everyone make “better use of their time” with Old National’s Online Billpay service.

             “It is a very simple and generous way to support the March of Dimes and help fight prematurity,” says Tim Arndt, March of Dimes Indiana Chapter. “It shows Old National’s community-minded values.”

 From April 1st through April 30th, Old National Bank will donate $5.00 to the March of Dimes for its WalkAmerica effort for every new Online Billpay enrollment.  “The March of Dimes does not receive funding from United Way or the government.  It is through individuals and companies like Old National Bank, and many others, that the March of Dimes is able to fund research and community programs that save babies’ lives,” Arndt shared.

            “We’re honored that we can support the March of Dimes, as well as stand behind the hundreds of Old National associates and family members who participate in WalkAmerica in their community,” commented Lori Danielson, Old National Marketing Director.  “With the extra time saved with Online Billpay services, we think supporting the March of Dimes is a great way to put that time toward a worthy cause.”

               Since the first WalkAmerica was held in 1970, the funds collected support March of Dimes programs of research, community services, and education, which have included such lifesaving breakthroughs as:  

• Initiation of special neonatal intensive care nurseries in hospitals to care for sick newborns.
• Research on surfactant therapy, which helps babies born with underdeveloped lungs to breathe.
• Folic acid education campaigns to prevent serious birth defects of the brain and spine known as neural tube defects.
• Community grants to help more women get access to prenatal care.

                “We are immensely proud of the babies saved with successes achieved by March of Dimes and WalkAmerica through the years, but our fight to save babies continues,’’ said Janet Estes, Indiana Chapter State Director.   “Premature births continued to increase in Indiana and the United States last year.  For the first time the number of babies born prematurely in Indiana topped 11,000 and across America over 500,000 were born too soon.  Our multi-year Prematurity Campaign seeks to raise awareness of this serious and growing problem, and to reduce the premature birth rate.  There is so much more that needs to be done to give every baby a healthy start in life, and WalkAmeirca is a great place for everyone to start.’’

                     WalkAmerica takes place in 46 communities in Indiana and in nearly 1,100 cities and towns nationwide.  People can register for WalkAmerica by visiting walkamerica.org or by calling 1-800-BIG-WALK.

                 March of Dimes WalkAmerica national sponsors, Kmart Corporation, CIGNA HealthCare, FedEx Kinkos, Famous Footwear, Farmers Insurance Group, First Response, Grain Food Foundation, Mead Johnson, BabyFit.com, Outdoor Services, Continental Airlines and Discovery Health, are helping in leading the way to healthier babies.

                 The March of Dimes is a national voluntary health agency whose mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality.  Founded in 1938, the March of Dimes funds programs of research, community services, education, and advocacy to save babies and in 2003 launched a campaign to address the increasing rate of premature birth.  For more information, visit the March of Dimes Web site at marchofdimes.com/Indiana, walkamerica.org or its Spanish language Web site at nacersano.org.

                 With $8.5 billion in assets, Old National Bancorp is the largest financial services bank holding company headquartered in Indiana and ranks among the top 100 banking companies in the United States.  Since its founding in Evansville in 1834, Old National has focused on community banking by building long-term, highly valued relationships with clients in its primary footprint of Indiana, Illinois and Kentucky.  Focused on exceeding client expectations, the Old National team of financial professionals provides a broad range of services including retail and commercial banking, wealth management, insurance and brokerage.   For more information and financial trend data, please visit the company’s website at www.oldnational .com.