Business Bank of California Announces Appointment of Coulter as SBA Loan Officer in San Diego.

Business Editors

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 18, 2001

Alan J. Lane, president and chief executive officer of Business Bank of California (Nasdaq:BZBC), a division of Business Bancorp (BZBC), announced the appointment of John Coulter as assistant vice president business development officer for the bank's Small Business Lending Division.

Coulter is a seasoned financial services professional with more than 20 years of experience, including a position with the U.S. Small Business Administration in Sacramento. He has been affiliated with numerous commercial real estate brokers and developers, including Coldwell Banker, for more than 18 years.

Having established himself in the SBA lending community in San Diego over the three years, Coulter has now joined Business Bank of California to promote their successful Small Business Lending operation to San Diego-based businesses.

Coulter's first-hand experience as a broker working with commercial clients to purchase properties makes him invaluable as a liaison between brokers, their clients and Business Bank of California's SBA lending program. His keen understanding of the specific needs of both the borrower and the lender during the loan process enables him to move deals forward as expeditiously as possible.

Business Bank of California is the principal operating subsidiary of Business Bancorp, a bank holding company that owns 100% of the capital stock of Business Bank of California (the "bank"). The bank is a California state chartered commercial bank whose primary business includes retail banking, commercial, construction and SBA lending activities.

Business Bank of California has served the Inland Empire since 1984. The bank operates 10 branches in the cities of Corona, Hemet, Hesperia, Ontario, Phelan, Redlands, San Bernardino and Riverside. The bank recently announced that by year-end it would merge with Metro Commerce Bank. Metro Commerce Bank has five offices located in the Bay area and one in Upland, Calif. Both organizations refer to the upcoming merger as a "merger of equals."

Information regarding Business Bancorp stock can be obtained on Nasdaq's Small Cap Market utilizing the symbol (BZBC). Visit Business Bank of California on the Internet at www.businessbank.com.