Business Bank of Nevada Aligns Itself With High-Tech Internet Security Company to Further Protect Its IT Infrastructure From Malicious Intrusion.

Business Editors

LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 19, 2001

Business Bank of Nevada (OTCBB:BBNV) today announced that it has contracted with Message Secure Corp. to implement a Managed Network Security Services program, with Internet Penetration Analysis (IPA) capabilities, by the end of next month.

Federally regulated institutions are required to have an IPA program in place, which would then become an annual assessment. Message Secure, a leading nationwide provider of network security, will provide Business Bank with a fully integrated suite of managed services providing comprehensive data security at the "Public Network's" point of entry to the bank.

Some of the managed security products and services Message Secure will provide to Business Bank include: VSecurity(TM), a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week managed firewall service; VSecureMail(TM), a secure and virus-free e-mail solution that swiftly routes and virus-scans all Internet e-mail; and VSecureRemote(TM), a secure, encrypted VPN connection via the Internet between the remote user and the bank.

The bank initially approached Message Secure for its IPA program because of stringent guidelines being put in place by banking regulators. The VSecureIPA(TM) program offered by Message Secure will compile and analyze all public information regarding the bank's presence on the Internet and all pertinent internal and external factors.

"As the Internet and e-commerce continues to grow and gain in popularity, so too does the threat of Internet hostility," said Larry Charlton, executive vice president and chief financial/operations officer of Business Bank of Nevada.

"Even without the IPA requirements mandated by banking regulators, we recognized the need to further protect the bank and our customers from potential threats to this high-tech environment. This is why we chose to align ourselves with a company like Message Secure that could minimize the threats and risks associated with the Internet and e-commerce."

It was a year ago this month that Business Bank introduced its Internet Banking product to the Nevada marketplace. Business Bank was one of the first community banks in Nevada to offer Online Banking, and today the bank has more than 500 customers utilizing this free 24-hour-a-day, seven-day-a-week service. The bank also recently switched to S1 Corp. as its new Internet provider company.

"We applaud Business Bank of Nevada for their forward-thinking attitude toward Internet security, and we're excited to be the company they chose to help them deliver a more reliable and secure product to both its employees and customers," said Michael Ryan, vice president of sales and marketing for Message Secure Corp.

"We provide institutions, particularly growing ones like Business Bank, with managed security services that simply cannot be duplicated by an institution's in-house staff."

Ryan added that the 24/7 monitoring is just one aspect of the portal security that would be difficult at best for a company to perform itself. "The Message Secure solution relieves the client's information technology personnel from the responsibility of configuring and maintaining firewall, external mail and remote access systems," he said.

About Business Bank of Nevada

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 on the Over The Counter Bulletin Board (OTCBB) at ticker symbol BBNV. Additional information about Business Bank and possible career opportunities is available at www.bbnv.com.

About Message Secure Corp.

Founded in 1997, Message Secure Corp. delivers Regulatory Compliant outsourced Security Services featuring VSecure(TM) Managed Security Services (MSS).

The company's business model is focused on organizations and institutions with fiduciary responsibility to customers and/or governing bodies. By focusing on a single vertical, the company is able to clearly understand the requirements and proactively meet all current and future regulatory standards and guidelines.

Message Secure provides a fully integrated suite of managed services for comprehensive data security at the "Public Network's" point of entry to the client institution. Network interfaces can include public and private networks such as the Internet, dedicated connections to third-party processors, and other outsourced business partners.

Internal delivery of these systems requires high levels of expertise in the face of constantly changing technologies. Federally regulated institutions face increasingly stringent guidelines. A carefully planned approach to data security is crucial in order to safely utilize the Internet and other third-party network connections.

Forward-Looking Statement 

This news release contains forward-looking statements relating to results of operations, product features and benefits, market penetration and market strategies. Such statements are made based on management's beliefs as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to management, pursuant to "safe-harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. While these statements reflect the company's best judgment, they are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause a change in focus and direction.