Press Release

Prospect Heights, Ill., January 14, 2002 --Household International (NYSE:HI), the 124-year-old consumer lender, today announced that Democratic National Committee Vice Chair Lottie Shackelford, has joined the company's Consumer Advisory Board.

Shackelford brings more than 20 years of experience in city, state and national politics to Household's Consumer Advisory Board. In addition to earning her place in history in 1978 as the first woman elected Mayor of Little Rock, Ark., Shackelford has also held several leadership positions with the National League of Cities and the Democratic National Committee, including co-chair of the Democratic National Convention in 1988. In 1993, Shackelford was appointed by former President Clinton to the board of directors of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), which helps U.S. businesses invest and compete in emerging markets and developing nations worldwide. She currently serves as executive vice president at Global USA Inc., a governmental relations firm, in its Washington, D.C. office.

"We are proud and honored that Lottie Shackelford has agreed to join Household's Consumer Advisory Board," said William F. Aldinger, Household's chairman and CEO. "We look forward to Lottie's thoughtful and experienced guidance as we continue to strengthen Household's long- standing commitment to fairly and effectively serve the credit needs of middle-market America."

"I'm excited to work with Household as a member of the Consumer Advisory Board," said Shackelford. "I'm also honored to be associated with a company that strives to be responsive to consumer needs."

Household's Consumer Advisory Board was formed in February 2001 to advise the company on its responsible lending and business principles, as well as community relations and philanthropic activities. With the addition of Shackelford, Household's Consumer Advisory Board now totals five members including: Former U.S. Senator Connie Mack, (R-FL); The Honorable Thomas F. McLarty, former president Clinton chief of staff; Art Torres, former California state senator and current chairman of the California Democratic Party; and Dr. Vincene Verdun, professor at Ohio State University College of Law.

A meeting of the Consumer Advisory Board was held at the company's headquarters in Prospect Heights, Ill, on January 11, 2002. This working session was dedicated to exploring additional lending and customer service initiatives, and to establishing the groundwork for the company's community and legislative outreach strategies for 2002.

About Household
Household's businesses are leading providers of consumer loan, credit cards, auto finance and credit insurance products in the United States, United Kingdom and Canada. In the United States, Household's largest business, founded in 1878, operates under the two oldest and most recognized names in consumer finance - HFC and Beneficial. Household is also one of the nation's largest issuers of private label and general purpose credit cards, including The GM Card® and the AFL-CIO's Union Plus® card. For more information, visit the company's web site at www.household.com.