Treasury Calls 11-3/4 Percent Bonds of 2004-09

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 15, 2004

Contact: Stephen Meyerhardt

(202) 504-3792

The Treasury today announced the call for redemption at par on February 15, 2005, of the 11-3/4% Treasury Bonds of 2005-10, originally issued February 15, 1980, due February 15, 2010 (CUSIP No. 912810CM8). There are $2,315 million of these bonds outstanding, of which $1,372 million are held by private investors. Securities not redeemed on February 15, 2005 will stop earning interest.

These bonds are being called to reduce the cost of debt financing. The 11-3/4% interest rate is significantly above the current cost of securing financing for the five years remaining to their maturity. In current market conditions, Treasury estimates that interest savings from the call and refinancing will be about $506 million.

Payment will be made automatically by the Treasury for bonds in book-entry form, whether held on the books of the Federal Reserve Banks or in TreasuryDirect accounts. Bonds held in coupon or registered form should be presented for redemption to financial institutions or mailed directly to the Bureau of the Public Debt, Definitives Section, P.O. Box 426, Parkersburg, WV 26106-0426. For more information concerning called coupon or registered bonds, you may contact the Definitives Section at (304) 480-7936.