STAMFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 11, 2000--Pitney Bowes Inc. (NYSE: PBI) has been named one of the 100 Best Corporate Citizens by Business Ethics magazine.

The 100 Best Corporate Citizens list recognizes America's most profitable and socially-responsible public companies. Number twelve on the list, Pitney Bowes has a long history of embracing social goals that reach beyond the traditional focus on earnings.

Business Ethics magazine, the premier publication on corporate social responsibility, is dedicated to celebrating progressive management practices. It is hoped that this list will push the envelope on what represents good corporate citizenship practice and move corporations toward even better practices. In selecting the 100 Best Corporate Citizens, they based their criteria on how companies must not only serve stockholders, but stakeholders as well. Stakeholders include those who have a "stake" in the firm. For the award, research focused on four primary constituent groups; employees, customers, community members and stockholders.

Although it received high marks in Customer Relations and Employee Relations, Pitney Bowes was selected for its targeted commitment to the community. Pitney Bowes's high scores for community relations places it alongside such companies as Hewlett Packard, Times Mirror Company, and IBM. This 30-year commitment to local economic development is evidenced by the company's decision to keep its headquarters located in Stamford's South End and to work with grassroots organizations to improve the community. The South End Neighborhood Revitalization Zone Initiative gives a voice to low-income community residents and empowers them to make decisions about the neighborhood. The company has donated property near its worldwide headquarters that was used for an affordable housing complex, and has participated in an assistance program for home ownership.

Volunteerism has also been a cornerstone in Pitney Bowes' community efforts. In 1997, Pitney Bowes began a formal employee volunteer program called PB People: Building Stronger Communities. Currently, over 250 employees from Pitney Bowes have donated over 1800 hours to 22 projects. Their efforts focus on such areas as education, human services and community improvement projects.

"Pitney Bowes is proud to be recognized for our targeted efforts in employee volunteerism and community giving. We believe our company's success is supported by the strength of the communities in which we do business. Pitney Bowes' volunteer programs offer personal development opportunities to our employees, while helping improve the quality of life in our communities. Programs like PB People help give lower-income families a voice in their community," said Michael J. Critelli, chairman and CEO, Pitney Bowes.

Founded in 1920, Pitney Bowes Inc. is a $4.4 billion global provider of informed mail and messaging management. For more information about the company, visit www.pitneybowes.com.

CONTACT: Editorial:

             Michelle Hennelly
             Cunningham Communication, Inc.
             (617) 494-8202
             mhennelly@cunningham.com
                or
             Polly O'Brien
             Director, Community Affairs
             (203) 351-6669
             obrienpo@pb.com