Business Bank of Nevada Hires New Commercial Loan Officer and Loan Administration Officer; Loan Operations Supervisor Promoted.

Business Editors

LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 22, 2001

Business Bank of Nevada today announced that it has hired Rebecca Barker as a commercial loan officer and Lora Mizzi as a loan administration officer.

The bank also announced that it has promoted Michelle Scalzo, loan operations supervisor in the credit department, to an assistant vice president.

Barker joins Business Bank from BankWest of Nevada, where she was a relationship manager in the bank's credit area. Prior to joining BankWest, Barker worked for Bank of America Nevada as vice president and team leader in the Small Business Administration Real Estate Division.

Barker also worked for First Interstate Bank of Nevada as a credit review analyst and MIS officer. She is a graduate of Western State College of Gunnison, Colo., with a bachelor of arts degree in English Education.

Mizzi joined Business Bank from Silver State Bank, where she worked as a loan administration officer for the past two years. She also worked three years as a loan administration officer for Bank of America.

Prior to joining BofA, Mizzi worked for PriMerit Bank as a consumer loan processor. She also worked in the mortgage banking business as a loan processor and underwriter. Mizzi is a native of Las Vegas and a graduate of Central Texas College in Killeen, Texas.

Scalzo has been with Business Bank for the past two years, and as loan operations supervisor she works with the credit administration team in meeting the loan documentation and processing needs of the bank and its clients.

Prior to joining Business Bank, Scalzo worked for BankWest of Nevada as a loan processor for three and a half years. She also worked for Nevada State Bank for 10 years as a teller, new accounts representative and loan processor. Scalzo is a native of Las Vegas.

"We are very happy to have both Becky and Lora join our expanding Credit Department," said Mark Phillips, executive vice president and chief credit officer of Business Bank.

"With our loan pipeline growing every day, the demand for highly experienced lending personnel continues to grow as well. We are also very pleased to be able to recognize strong employee performance and results. Michelle's promotion is well deserved and reflects the quality people we have working at Business Bank."

Phillips added that the bank's loan pipeline is at an all-time high, with more than $70 million currently in the pipeline. The bank anticipates growing its total loan outstandings this year to more than $137 million, which would represent a 22 percent increase over last year.

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.