Connecting Blackhawk Networks, Bank of America and AB Acquisition

SUBSEQUENT EVENT

Distribution of Blackhawk Shares On March 24, 2014, Safeway's Board of Directors declared a special stock dividend to its stockholders of all of the 37.8 million shares of Class B common stock of Blackhawk owned by Safeway, representing approximately 94.2% of the total outstanding shares of Blackhawk's Class B common stock and approximately 72% of the total number of shares of Blackhawk common stock of all classes outstanding.  On April 14, 2014, Safeway distributed the special stock dividend to all Safeway stockholders of record on April 3, 2014 (the "Record Date").  The distribution took place in the form of a pro rata dividend of Blackhawk Class B common stock to each Safeway stockholder of record on the Record Date.  Safeway stockholders received 0.164291 of a share of Blackhawk Class B common stock for every share of Safeway common stock held as of the Record Date, less any shares withheld in respect of applicable withholding taxes.  No fractional shares of Blackhawk stock were distributed.  Instead, Safeway stockholders received cash in lieu of any fraction of a share of Blackhawk stock.

Assuming the acquisition by AB Acquisition is completed as contemplated by the Merger Agreement (see Note A), it is expected that Safeway’s distribution of Blackhawk shares will be taxable to Safeway and Safeway’s stockholders. Based on Safeway’s preliminary estimates and after the application of tax payments previously made in connection with Safeway's sale of shares in the initial public offering of Blackhawk's Class A common stock in April 2013, Safeway expects that the distribution of Blackhawk shares will result in an incremental tax to Safeway of approximately $360 million.

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