Bank of the West Launches Community Jumpstart.

Bank Gives Customers $100 for Opening a New Checking Account, Announces Progress on $75-Billion Community Support Commitment

SAN FRANCISCO -- Bank of the West today announced that it provided $13.7 billion in community support in 2008, and said it is 70% of the way to achieving its goal of $75-billion in community support by 2015.

In its ongoing work to improve the social and economic health of the communities it serves, Bank of the West in 2005 set a community support goal of $75 billion in loans, investments, contributions and services to lower-income individuals and small businesses, to companies in lower-income areas, and to community-based organizations.

The bank's announcement of its strong progress on the community support goal came today in conjunction with its Community Jumpstart Campaign. In an effort to help the businesses and neighborhoods in the cities and towns it serves, Bank of the West is offering an incentive to encourage customers to spend in their neighborhoods.

Through June 19, Bank of the West is giving $100 through a statement credit to each individual who opens a new checking account with money new to the bank and direct deposit of at least $250.* That credit means people have more money in their pocket to spend at a local business or organization of their choice.

"Community Jumpstart represents a call to action, not only for Bank of the West, but for new customers as well," said Andy Harmening, Senior Executive Vice President and head of the Regional Banking Group at Bank of the West. "Our bank is the kind of bank that's committed to improving the social and economic health of our communities, and that commitment is now more crucial than ever."

As part of its ongoing support for the communities it serves, Bank of the West has granted more than $2 million in charitable contributions so far this year.

"As we are offering individuals $100 to spend locally and make a difference in their community, we are proud to announce a number of our community contributions," said Rebeca Rangel, Vice President, Community Affairs Manager. "Everybody has been affected by the economic downturn, and we're encouraging people to reinvest in the neighborhoods where we live and work."

The bank has made hundreds of grants in 2008, including contributions to the following organizations: Jewish Vocational Service, San Francisco; Child SHARE, Los Angeles; Albuquerque Community Foundation, Albuquerque; Children's Hospital and Medical Center Foundation, Omaha; San Joaquin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Stockton, Calif.; Lewis & Clark Law School Small Business Legal Clinic, Portland, Ore.; Children and Families of Iowa, Des Moines; Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northern Nevada, Reno and Lyric Opera of Kansas City, Kansas City; and the International Center for Appropriate & Sustainable Technology, Denver.

For More Information

Please visit www.bankofthewest.com/neighbor for more information.

*Open any new personal checking account, establish a monthly direct deposit of at least $250 to your new account and receive a $100 bonus. The first recurring direct deposit must be posted to your account within 60 calendar days of your account opening date. Bonus will be credited to your account within 60 days after satisfaction of conditions. Offer valid for a new personal checking account opened from 4/27 - 6/19/09 with $100 or more from a financial institution other than Bank of the West. Offer subject to change without prior notice and may be terminated or extended based on response. Offer does not apply to second or multiple checking accounts and/or existing checking customers. Limit of one $100 bonus per household per calendar year. To the extent required by law, Bank of the West will report the value of the offer to the IRS on Form 1099. Any applicable taxes are the responsibility of the account holder. All accounts are subject to the Bank's standard terms and conditions and fee schedule.

About Bank of the West

Founded in 1874, $66 billion-asset Bank of the West (www.bankofthewest.com) offers a full range of business, corporate, personal, trust and international banking services and currently operates more than 700 branch locations and commercial banking offices in 19 Western and Midwestern states. Bank of the West's holding company, BancWest Corporation, is a subsidiary of BNP Paribas, among the six strongest banks in the world, according to Standard & Poor's.