AmericanWest Bancorporation Declares 10% Stock Dividend.

Business Editors

SPOKANE, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 29, 2003

AmericanWest Bancorporation (Nasdaq:AWBC) today announced its Board of Directors, in their January 28th meeting, declared a 10% stock dividend to be issued February 14, 2003, to shareholders of record on January 31, 2003. This is AWBC's eighth 10% stock dividend since its Initial Public Offering in May 1995. AWBC has issued 10% stock dividends each of the past seven consecutive years.

"AWBC has just completed its best year ever and, as we have demonstrated with previous dividend payouts, we believe in the continued success of our organization," said Wes Colley, President and Chief Executive Officer.

As a result of the dividend, shareholders will receive 10 additional shares for every 100 shares currently owned. AmericanWest Bancorporation now has approximately 8.0 million shares outstanding and will have approximately 8.8 million shares outstanding after payment of the stock dividend. Fractional shares of .5 or more will be rounded up and less than .5 will be rounded down.

AmericanWest Bancorporation is a community bank holding company with 42 branch offices -- 36 in Central and Eastern Washington and 6 in Northern Idaho.

Statements concerning future performance, developments or events, and any other guidance on future periods constitute forward-looking statements subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. These include efficiency improvements, increased loan loss reserve, loan and savings product demand, changes in the banking regulatory environment, the effect of changing economic conditions throughout the U.S., as well as Eastern and Central Washington State, and other risk factors detailed in the Company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings.