Business Bank Signs Deal With Amtec Communications; Installs New High Tech PBX Phone System and New Hardware; Bank Saves Money.

Business Editors

LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 21, 2001

Business Bank of Nevada today announced that it has changed phone companies and signed a multi-year deal with Amtec Communications to provide the bank with a new state-of-the-art PBX phone system and new telephones for the entire bank.

The bank also announced that Amtec Communications would handle all of the servicing and maintenance of the new equipment.

Amtec Communications is a small San Bernardino, Calif.-based company that specializes in business telephone systems, and voice and data networking. Amtec also has an office in Las Vegas, which was one of several issues that helped the company secure the bank's telecommunications business.

The annual cost savings of about $5,000 was another key factor in the bank's decision to switch phone companies and go with Amtec Communications, according to Business Bank President and CEO John Guedry.

"We weren't happy with the service and functionality of our old phone system and the price we had to pay for something that wasn't reliable," Guedry said. "As a small company, we're always looking for ways to improve the level of service we can provide to our employees and customers, while at the same time trying to save money. We achieved both goals by switching to Amtec Communications, and the best part is that they're a customer of our bank."

Guedry added that the bank's new phone equipment and software would provide the bank with more convenient connectivity between its branches and departments, greater functionality for its employees, and the centralizing of administrative tasks.

The system now being installed throughout the bank is the Mitel 200SX EL-PBX, which is networked between all of the bank's locations. Using the Mitel platform, the bank will be able to greatly improve communications internally, as well as provide a higher level of service to its customers.

"It's a real challenge trying to gain a foothold in a market that is dominated by larger telecommunications companies, but with clients like Business Bank it's becoming a lot easier to increase our market share in Nevada," said Gary Holland, branch manager of Amtec Communications. "There are a lot of similarities between our company and Business Bank. We're both small, growing companies that know and understand what it takes to be successful."

Russ Goeckner, owner of Amtec Communications, added that the telecommunications industry is doing, at best, a poor job servicing smaller companies like Business Bank. "The larger phone companies seem to only be interested in dealing with Fortune 500 companies, which means smaller companies tend to get overlooked and/or overcharged. Fortunately for us, this attitude has created a real niche market for our company," said Goeckner.

With a customer base of nearly 3,000 businesses and a commitment to customer service, Amtec Communications can take care of any company's telecommunications needs, large or small. Amtec's approach to customer services is what drives the company forward.

"Our customers are in charge, and we will grow and mold our business around their needs," Goeckner said. "Partnering with industry leaders such as Mitel Networks allows us to bring powerful and cost-effective solutions to small and mid-size businesses traditionally found in most larger companies."

Business Bank, with more than $190 million in total assets, is in its sixth year of operation and is one of the fastest-growing independent banks in Nevada. The bank has four branch offices in the state, with three in the Las Vegas area and one in Carson City.

Business Bank is FDIC Insured and is a member of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco. Its stock is listed over the counter (OTC) at ticker symbol BBNV. For more information about Business Bank or possible career opportunities, visit the Bank's Web site at www.bbnv.com.