At the All-Star Break, Providian Financial's K's For Kids Program Raises $22,750 for Bay Area Children; At Midseason, Player/Spo

Midway through the 2005 Major League Baseball season,
two-time all-star pitcher Jason Schmidt and his San Francisco pitching
team mates have earned $222,750 for two Bay Area children's charities.
Through the support of Providian Financial (NYSE:PVN) and its K's
for Kids program, the Koret Family House and the South of Market Child
Care Center have shared the $50 for each of the Orange and Black
pitcher's 455 strikeouts so far this season.
   "Through this partnership with Providian, my goal is to support
kids and their families who need a hand," said Schmidt. "Every night
that I am on the mound, the K's for Kids program is on my mind and
this year every strikeout feels even better thanks to Providian and
this great program."
   Providian has teamed with Schmidt and the Giants Baseball Radio
Network flagship station KNBR 680 to promote K's for Kids. Throughout
the season, radio spots, featuring Schmidt, air during the broadcasts,
and play-by-play announcers acknowledge and update the K's for Kids
totals. Schmidt has also pledged to donate $100 to the National Brain
Tumor Foundation for every strikeout he throws this season. He has
pledged $8,800 thus far and is hopeful that the rest of the season is
even more successful.
   "Providian is very proud to support childcare programs around
parts of the country, especially in the Bay Area," said Warren Wilcox,
vice chairman of Planning and Marketing for Providian. "Jason and his
teammates are helping us make a positive impact on our local youth.
We'd love nothing more than to see the team record a lot more K's -
and hopefully some W's - in the second half of the season."
   Providian and its employees are involved in the San Francisco Bay
Area through a variety of initiatives, including another
sports-related social marketing program Touchdowns for Tots, which
provides a donation to designated area childcare centers for every
Oakland Raiders and San Francisco 49ers touchdown scored during the
regular NFL Season. The Company also has a Touchdowns for Tots program
with the Dallas Cowboys, which is supported by Providian's Texas
employees.

   About Providian

   San Francisco-based Providian Financial Corp. (www.providian.com)
is a leading provider of credit cards to mainstream American consumers
throughout the United States. By combining experience, analysis and
technology, Providian seeks to build long-lasting relationships with
its customers by providing products and services that meet their
evolving financial needs.