Business Bank of California and Vineyard Bank Establish $50,000 Soldiers' Freedom Fund.

Business Editors

Topical News: War On Terrorism 

CORONA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 28, 2003

Vineyard Bank and Business Bank of California (Nasdaq:BZBC) today jointly announced the establishment of the Soldiers' Freedom Fund, a charitable fund to provide financial assistance to the families of United States military personnel who had been stationed in California and who died or were severely wounded in the line of duty during the course of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

"Over the past month, our soldiers have fought courageously to protect and preserve the fundamental belief that every man, woman and child should live in freedom. Sadly, some of those brave individuals will not be returning home to their families," stated Norman Morales, President and Chief Executive Officer of Vineyard Bank. "These soldiers are our modern day heroes, for their sacrifice is the greatest one can give."

Vineyard Bank and Business Bank of California would like to pay tribute to these men and women, as well as their families. Together, we have established the Soldiers' Freedom Fund, a charitable fund under the meaning of Section 501 c (3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Vineyard Bank and Business Bank of California have each donated $25,000, and we invite other financial institutions and members of our communities to follow suit.

"While we can only extend our thoughts and prayers to our troops who are still on the front lines, we can assist the families of those who have given their lives," commented Alan Lane, President of Business Bank of California. "As community banks, we welcome the responsibility in establishing this fund today, and we would like to encourage other community banks throughout our great nation to follow our lead in their respective states, with their adopted military bases."

We would also encourage our clients and associates to contribute to the Soldiers' Freedom Fund at any Vineyard Bank or Business Bank of California branch location. One hundred percent of all monies collected will be equally divided and presented to the families of any soldier from California who is fatally or severely wounded in the line of duty.

On behalf of the entire staff at Vineyard Bank and Business Bank of California, we welcome our fellow citizens to join us in honoring and thanking all of our military for their dedicated service.

For further information on the Soldiers' Freedom Fund, please contact [e-mail], or [e-mail].

Vineyard National Bancorp is a $465 million bank holding company headquartered in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., and the parent company of Vineyard Bank, also headquartered in Rancho Cucamonga. Vineyard Bank operates through six full-service branch offices in San Bernardino and Los Angeles counties of California, and three loan production offices located in Beverly Hills, Manhattan Beach and San Diego, Calif. The Company's common stock is traded on the NASDAQ National Market System under the symbol "VNBC." For further information on the company, visit our website at www.vineyardbank.com.

Business Bancorp, parent of Business Bank of California, completed a merger of equals with MCB Financial, parent of Metro Commerce Bank, in December 2001. The bank now has assets of more than $600 million and operates 15 branches offering retail banking, commercial, construction, and SBA lending. The bank operates in the Southern California cities of Corona, Hemet, Hesperia, Ontario, Phelan, Riverside, Redlands, Upland and San Bernardino, and in the Northern California cities of San Rafael, Petaluma, San Francisco, South San Francisco, and Hayward. The branches are strongly focused on providing high quality, personalized services to small businesses, professionals and consumers. For further information on the company, visit our website at www.businessbank.com.

Disclaimer

This press release contains forward-looking statements as referenced in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are inherently unreliable and actual results may vary. Factors which could cause actual results to differ from these forward-looking statements include: securing all necessary governmental and other approvals, the satisfaction of all conditions to the merger, changes in business or other market conditions, and the success of the business combination as planned by the parties. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.