EXHIBIT 99.1


News Release

April 28, 1999

Contacts:    Media: Dennis Wyss, Bank of America (415) 622-3010
             Investors: Vince Barella, BA Merchant Services, Inc. (415) 241-7732


                     BA MERCHANT SERVICES, INC. STOCKHOLDERS
                       APPROVE MERGER WITH BANK OF AMERICA


      SAN FRANCISCO, Apr. 28, 1999 - BankAmerica Corporation ("BankAmerica") and
BA Merchant Services, Inc. ("BAMS") announced today the approval by the holders
of a majority of the outstanding common stock of BAMS of the Agreement and Plan
of Merger dated December 22, 1998 among BankAmerica, BAMS and BAMS Acquisition
Corporation. The Merger became effective as of 5:01 p.m. (Pacific Time) today.
As a result, BAMS has become a wholly owned subsidiary of Bank of America
National Trust and Savings Association, and each outstanding share of BAMS
common stock (other than the shares owned by BankAmerica), has been converted
into the right to receive a cash payment equal to $20.50 per share, without
interest. "We're now in a better position to provide Bank of America's full
range of products and services to merchants from coast to coast," said Sharif
Bayyari, President and Chief Executive Officer of BAMS.

      The Class A Common Stock of BAMS (NYSE: BPI) will no longer be traded on 
the New York Stock Exchange.

      BAMS provides a range of payment processing and related information
products and services to merchants who accept credit, charge and debit cards as
payments for goods and services throughout the United States. BAMS is the
exclusive provider of merchant processing services for Bank of America. BAMS is
the fifth-largest processor of merchant credit transactions and one of the
largest processors of debit card transactions in the United States.

      BankAmerica, with $614 billion in total assets, is the largest bank in
the United States. It has full service operations in 22 states and the District
of Columbia and provides financial products and services to 30 million
households and two million


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businesses, as well as providing international corporate financial services for
business transactions in 190 countries. BankAmerica stock (NYSE: BAC) is listed
on the New York, Pacific and London stock exchanges and certain shares are
listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.


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