Bank of the West Debuts in Ten New States; Former Community First Sites Now Part of Bank of the West.

SAN FRANCISCO -- Bank of the West introduced its distinctive bear brand in 133 markets in 10 more states today as the San Francisco-based bank completed its integration of Community First National Bank. Former Community First locations in 12 states opened today as Bank of the West locations -- including 46 in Colorado, 26 in Wyoming, 27 in Minnesota and 16 in Arizona. Former Community First locations were also converted to Bank of the West in California, the Dakotas, Iowa, Nebraska, New Mexico, Utah, and Wisconsin. Adding 166 new locations in all, Bank of the West now operates 463 banking locations in 16 states.

"This is an exciting day as we introduce our brand and the personalized service that has been the hallmark of Bank of the West for 130 years," said Don J. McGrath, President and Chief Executive Officer of Bank of the West. "New Bank of the West signs are on the branches, and customers will find the same familiar folks that have been serving their banking, financial and insurance needs. Our new customers will also have some new choices of consumer and business banking products and services to fit their specific situations."

Community First Bankshares, Inc. was acquired by Bank of the West's parent company BancWest Corporation, in a $1.2 billion transaction that concluded in November. As a result of the acquisition, Bank of the West becomes one of the four largest Western-based commercial banks in the United States. Along with the expanded branch system, Bank of the West adds an administrative center in Fargo, North Dakota as well as a regional administrative center in

Denver. "Our strategy is to add more locations to our network, especially in our new 10-state territory, both by acquisition and by locating new branches in high growth communities," McGrath added.

In January, Bank of the West will further increase its presence in California's Central Valley with its integration of Stockton, California-based Union Safe Deposit Bank. Union Safe operates 19 bank branches in San Joaquin and Stanislaus Counties and had total assets of $1.2 billion at September 30, 2004. After the Union Safe Deposit integration, Bank of the West will operate 480 banking locations in 16 Western and Midwestern states.

Bank of the West offers a full range of products and services, among them:

--  Consumer banking -- full retail and small-business deposit,
        credit and investment services emphasizing personalized
        customer service and decentralized decision-making

    --  Consumer finance -- loans and leases for automobiles,
        recreational vehicles and marine pleasure boats and home
        equity loans and lines of credit

    --  Commercial banking -- lending and deposit services for
        middle-market companies

        --  Specialized expertise includes Agribusiness, Real Estate &
            Construction, Church Lending, Government Banking, Title,
            Escrow & Property Management, Financial Institutions and
            Health Care

        --  Cash Management, Capital Markets, Foreign Exchange,
            International Trade & Trade Finance, Corporate Deposits,
            Loan Syndications and Equipment Leasing services

    --  Small business lending -- including SBA-guaranteed loans

    --  Wealth Management -- full range of trust and investment
        services and investment management

    --  Insurance -- through its subsidiary, BW Insurance, Inc., the
        Bank offers auto, homeowners, worker's compensation and
        general liability insurance

Part of a Global Enterprise

Bank of the West (http://www.bankofthewest.com), with $37 billion in assets, is part of BancWest Corporation, a bank holding company wholly owned by BNP Paribas. BancWest Corporation (http://www.bancwest.com) has approximately $ 48 billion in assets and now serves 3.4 million accounts through more than 500 branches in 17 states, Guam and Saipan. BancWest's other principal subsidiary is First Hawaiian Bank. BNPP is a global financial services group, with its heritage in Europe, leading positions in Asia and an active presence in the United States.