Bank of the West offers free access to Export Hotline's international trade information.

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 28, 1994--Bank of the West today announced it is offering businesses free access to the Export Hotline, a free fax retrieval international trade information service. The Export Hotline is designed to assist both small and large companies learn about global markets, from the size of a market to local preferences and customs. The Export Hotline can help companies build their export business and find foreign business partners around the world.

Updated weekly, Export Hotline has more than 5,000 reports covering 50 industries and 78 countries. Specific information topics include how to export, sample import/export documents, government programs, trade shows, key contacts in 78 countries and 50 states, shipping and direct marketing. An electronic yellow pages lists buyers and sellers identified by a digitized code which allows companies to locate prospective customers and vendors.

The Export Hotline adds more than 100 new reports each month from over 150 public and private information sources.

"Bank of the West is sponsoring Export Hotline to help Northern California businesses of all sizes learn more about doing business in the global marketplace and take advantage of international business opportunities. Export Hotline is a valuable information source for both companies already exporting and importing products and also companies now considering doing business abroad," said Catherine Janigian, vice president of Bank of the West.

Users of the service use the key pad on their fax machine to request and receive reports from Export Hotline. The service is available 24-hours a day, seven days a week. There is no charge for the information. Interested businesses should contact Bank of the West's Business Services Division at 510-942-8323.

Bank of the West is presently the only sponsor in Northern California. The service is promoted by corporate sponsors in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Founded in 1874, Bank of the West is California's eighth largest bank. With the recent acquisition of 15 Citibank branches, Bank of the West is one of California's largest community banks. Most of the Bank's 100 branches are in Northern California.

CONTACT: Catherine Janigian

              Vice President & Marketing Manager
              Bank of the West
              510-942-8582
              Dave Faries
              David A. Faries & Associates
              408-354-7308