The Bank of New York Mellon Provides Update on Lost Back-Up Data Tapes

PRNewswire-FirstCall
NEW YORK
(NYSE:BK)
Aug 28, 2008

Offers Comprehensive Fraud Protection to Individuals Identified in New Forensic Review of Data

No Indication That Any Lost Information Has Been Inappropriately Accessed or Used

NEW YORK, August 28, 2008 — The Bank of New York Mellon said today that it is providing comprehensive fraud protection assistance to all individuals whose personal information was identified in a new forensic review of back-up data storage tapes lost by a third-party vendor earlier this year.

The Bank of New York Mellon disclosed in May the loss of back-up data storage tapes from BNY Mellon Shareowner Services and notified individuals whose personal information may have been included on the tapes. A subsequent re-examination by an industry-leading forensic investigation firm of the analysis applied to the lost tapes led to the identification of additional individuals. The Company is in the process of notifying these individuals, though there continues to be no indication that the data has been accessed or misused in any way.

Brian Rogan, chief risk officer at The Bank of New York Mellon, said, "We sincerely regret this incident occurred and are fully committed to offering comprehensive fraud protection assistance to all individuals identified in our recent forensic review of the data. We are actively engaged in a top-to-bottom review of our security policies and procedures - including retaining a leading independent consultant to conduct an objective analysis of our current practices - and we are taking the steps necessary to ensure we have industry-leading security measures in place across all of our businesses."

While there has been no indication that the data on the lost tapes has been misused in any way, the Company is offering comprehensive fraud protection to all affected individuals as a precaution. This includes two years of free credit monitoring through Experian®, a global leader in the credit monitoring field; identity theft insurance in the amount of $25,000 through Virginia Surety Company, Inc., with no deductible (provided to residents of states where permitted by local law); reimbursement for the cost of one placement and one removal of a credit freeze for each of the three national credit reporting bureaus; and maintaining dedicated toll-free numbers and adding additional call center representatives to respond to any consumer questions and concerns.

The Bank of New York Mellon has taken several new steps since May to continue enhancing its security policies and procedures, such as hiring a leading independent consultant to conduct an objective review of the Company's policies, procedures and controls, as well as implementing a companywide program requiring that, when technically feasible, confidential data be transferred within the Company via direct encrypted electronic transmission in order to minimize the need for data storage tapes and their transport. The Company also has instituted new stringent standards for the transport of confidential data and is initiating a company-wide awareness and training program on data security for all employees.

The Company has established a dedicated website to provide consumers with additional information, guidance and answers to frequently asked questions, which is accessible at http://www.bnymellon.com/tapequery.

The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation is a global financial services company focused on helping clients manage and service their financial assets, operating in 34 countries and serving more than 100 markets. The company is a leading provider of financial services for institutions, corporations and high-net-worth individuals, providing superior asset management and wealth management, asset servicing, issuer services, clearing services and treasury services through a worldwide client-focused team. It has more than $23 trillion in assets under custody and administration, more than $1.1 trillion in assets under management and services $12 trillion in outstanding debt. Additional information is available at bnymellon.com.