ADVISORY/Bank of the West Bear Brings Cheer and Gifts to Children at Orthopaedic Hospital; Senior Bank Executives Will Deliver Huggable Teddy Bears to Pediatric Patients.

Assignment Desks & News Editors

ADVISORY...for Wednesday, Dec. 3

--(BUSINESS WIRE)

WHAT:         Extending the holiday spirit, the life-size Bank of the
              West Bear will join senior executives to deliver 300
              large, plush teddy bears to underserved children at
              Orthopaedic Hospital on December 3rd.  Bank of the West
              management, including Steve Glenn, vice chairman and
              CAO, and Paul Woolway, senior vice president, will visit
              the Hospital's fracture care, cerebral palsy and
              pediatric neurology clinics to personally hand out gifts
              to hospitalized children, bringing cheer and laughter to
              the hallways of Orthopaedic Hospital. Bank
              representatives will be joined by James V. Luck, Jr.,
              M.D., the Hospital's president, CEO and medical
              director, as they visit the young patients.  The bear
              theme is in keeping with Bank of the West's distinctive
              bear corporate logo.

              Bank of the West believes it has an obligation to help
              improve the social and economic health of the areas it
              serves.  Last year, Bank of the West set a goal of
              making $30 billion in loans, investments, contributions
              and services to low- and moderate-income individuals,
              small businesses and community-based organizations over
              10 years.  To date it has achieved more than 20% of its
              overall goal.

              For over 90 years, Orthopaedic Hospital has been a
              recognized world leader in patient care, teaching, and
              research in orthopaedic medicine, resulting in an
              improved quality of life for children and adults with
              crippling disorders.  Having treated more than two
              million children, Orthopaedic Hospital continues to take
              extraordinary steps toward the future and provide
              medical treatment for children, regardless of their
              families' ability to pay.

WHEN:         Wednesday, December 3, 2003
              1:00 pm

WHERE:        Orthopaedic Hospital
              2400 S. Flower St., LA, CA 90007

WHO:          James V. Luck, Jr., M.D., president, CEO & medical
              director, Orthopaedic Hospital; Steve Glenn, vice
              chairman & CAO, Bank of the West; Paul Woolway, senior
              vice president, Bank of the West; and pediatric
              patients.

Note to Editors: Interviews and post-event photographs are available
upon request.