ADVISORY/Christmas Arrives Early for Rosecrans Elementary in Compton; 6,500 Books and Art Mural Donated to School Library.

City Desks/Assignment Editors

ADVISORY...for Saturday (Dec. 7)

--(BUSINESS WIRE)

City National Bank Partners with Access Books to

Improve Inner City School Library

                   MEDIA ADVISORY/PHOTO OPPORTUNITY

"Reading Is The Way Up," a statewide program sponsored by City
National Bank, together with Access Books, a non-profit organization
dedicated to improving inner city school libraries, will donate 6,500
books to Rosecrans Elementary School in Compton on Saturday. To also
help enhance the school's limited 650-sq.-ft. library, an artist's
mural will be designed on the library walls and along campus walkways.
Rosecrans students will be on hand to help paint the new murals and
shelf books with City National Bank volunteers.

City National Bank's "Reading Is The Way Up" aims to replenish the
most under-stocked school libraries in California to improve student
achievement and better prepare the state's workforce of tomorrow.
Compared with a national average of 16-25 books per student, Rosecrans
Elementary School currently offers just six books per student.

VISUALS: -- Students from Rosecrans Elementary participating in mural
            painting
         -- Volunteers from City National Bank and Access Books
            working with teachers and kids to renovate and improve
            school library
         -- 2,500 books donated by City National Bank, and 4,000 books
            donated by Access Books for massive book drive

WHO:     City National Bank

WHAT:    "Reading Is The Way Up" Book Drive & Volunteer Day

WHEN:    Saturday, December 7, 2002
         11 a.m. - Book Drive & Mural Painting in full swing
         (All-day event begins at 7 a.m. and ends by 3 p.m.)

WHERE:   Rosecrans Elementary
         1301 Acacia Avenue
         Compton, California
         (Located off the 110 Freeway, north of Rosecrans Boulevard)