ALABAMA NATIONAL BANCORPORATION ANNOUNCES ELECTION OF JOHN H. HOLCOMB, III TO CHAIRMAN.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 26, 1996--Alabama National BanCorporation (Nasdaq/NM:ALAB) today reported that its Board of Directors announced the resignation of James A. Taylor, chairman and chief executive officer, effective April 30, 1996.

Taylor laid the foundation for the formation of the multi-bank and thrift holding company with the purchase of First National Bank of Ashland in 1981. He purchased three additional banks between 1984 and 1986 and formed Alabama National BanCorporation ("ANB") in 1986. Taylor served as chairman of ANB since its formation and added two banks and one thrift to the holding company between 1988 and 1993.

On December 29, 1995, Alabama National BanCorporation acquired National Commerce Corporation ("NCC"), the parent company of National Bank of Commerce of Birmingham ("NBC"), in a reverse merger whereby ANB survived but NCC became the controlling entity. In connection with his resignation, Taylor and his wife, Martha Taylor, agreed to terminate their employment contracts in consideration of a lump sum payment of approximately $900,000. Had the Taylors elected to continue their employment agreements, they would have been paid approximately $1.7 million over the next three years. The lump sum payment to the Taylors will be charged to ANB's second quarter earnings.

Upon acceptance of Taylor's resignation, the Board of Directors of ANB elected John H. Holcomb, III chairman and chief executive officer. Holcomb formerly served as president and chief operating officer of the Company. Victor E. Nichol, Jr., formerly executive vice president, was elected president and chief operating officer of ANB.

A native of Birmingham and a graduate of Furman University, Holcomb joined NBC in 1980. He was elected president of NBC in 1989 and chief executive officer in 1990. Holcomb will retain these positions in addition to serving as chairman and CEO of ANB.

Nichol joined NBC in January 1994 as executive vice president and chief financial officer and will continue in such capacity while serving as president and COO of the holding company. Prior to NBC, Nichol was a member of AmSouth's management team for 23 years and lastly held the position of senior executive vice president and head of corporate banking. He holds M.B.A. and B.S. degrees from Samford University and is a native of Birmingham.

"Jimmy Taylor will be missed by the organization. Based on his philosophy of serving customers through community banks with local decision-making authority, he has positioned the organization to move forward and to better serve customers. Taylor was instrumental in ANB's merger with NBC and recognized the merger's importance to enhancing shareholder value," stated Holcomb.

Alabama National BanCorporation is the sixth largest bank holding company in Alabama. The Company operates 28 locations in Alabama through seven bank subsidiaries: National Bank of Commerce of Birmingham; Citizens Bank of Talladega; First National Bank of Ashland; Bank of Dadeville; Alabama Exchange Bank in Tuskegee; Gulf Bank in Orange Beach; and St. Clair Federal Savings Bank in Pell City. ANB provides full banking services to individuals and small businesses that prefer local bank decision-making and personalized service. Brokerage services are provided to customers through NBC's wholly owned subsidiary, NBC Securities, Inc. At March 31, 1996, ANB had assets of $794 million.

CONTACT: Alabama National BanCorporation

Judy Lawley, 205/583-3630