Business Bank of Nevada Opens its New 5,000-Square-Foot, Full-Service Financial Center in Carson City.

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CARSON CITY, Nev.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 17, 2001

The sounds of concrete trucks and construction crews have all gone and what now stands in their place is Business Bank of Nevada's new 5,000-square-foot, full-service financial center located in the Shaheen Business Park at 1811 East College Parkway.

This new bank-owned facility was opened this week after employees relocated from a 1,500-square-foot leased branch at 3476 Executive Point Way. The bank had been doing business from this facility since entering the Carson City market in December 1999.

The bank broke ground on its new branch in June of last year. After approximately six months of construction, the new facility totals a little more than 5,000 square feet and sits on nearly two-thirds of an acre of land.

The exterior of the branch has a split-face block and stucco design, with a walk-up ATM vestibule area, one drive-up teller window and a 24-hour night depository. The inside of the branch has six teller windows, with one being ADA accessible for handicapped individuals, two new accounts desks and 143 safe deposit boxes.

In addition, the bank now offers its clients full access to the most complete investment and financial planning services available among banking companies in Nevada.

Through an alliance with American Express Financial Advisors and John Dube & Associates, Business Bank clients can access business and personal financial planning, as well as trust services and a full range of securities and insurance products from one location.

As part of its alliance with American Express, a fully licensed investment and financial planning representative is housed in the new Business Bank branch.

A grand opening celebration of the new facility is planned for next month, where the bank will be giving away several prizes including a trip for two to Hawaii, a palm pilot and savings bonds. An evening reception, along with ribbon-cutting ceremony, is also planned for February 6, from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m.

"We are extremely proud of our new facility and want to show it off to as many people as possible," said Jerry Gregory, senior vice president and regional manager of Business Bank of Nevada. "We hope area residents and businesses recognize the commitment we've made to Carson City by building a branch of this magnitude. Our early success is a direct result of very loyal and supportive customers who we can't thank enough for their business."

Gregory added that in its first year of operation, the Carson City branch surpassed $37 million in total deposits. This is a phenomenal accomplishment considering that there are 19 different banking locations serving a population of just 53,000 people in the Carson City area.

That compared to Las Vegas, there are nearly 1.5 million people living in this area and just 24 banking companies serving that market.

The bank will be promoting the opening of its new Carson City facility in newspaper advertising beginning January 31. Prominently featured in the promotional advertising will be the Hawaiian vacation, along with other prizes, as well as some of the bank staff who are natives and/or longtime residents of the area.

"Experience, knowledge of the local market as well as the people and businesses in the area, and good people skills is what sets us apart from the competition," said Lori Haney, vice president and manager of Business Bank's Carson City Branch. "Our staff of 10 employees has over 175 years of combined banking experience, most of which is in the Carson City area. People want to bank with individuals they know and trust, and we have those kind of people working at Business Bank."

Haney started her banking career at First Interstate Bank before moving to Pioneer Citizens Bank, which is now part of Nevada State Bank.

Gregory began his tenure in banking with Valley Bank of Nevada, which became part of Bank of America. He also worked for Sierra West Bank before joining Business Bank.

Holly Black, customer service manager for Business Bank, is a longtime Carson City resident and banker who worked for Valley Bank, BofA, and Sierra West Bank before joining Business Bank.

Weldon Lary, business development officer for Business Bank, is a longtime resident of the area who also worked for First Interstate Bank and Sierra West Bank prior to joining Business Bank.

According to Gregory, the success of the Carson City branch, along with the strong business environment throughout the area, has caused the bank to look at other areas in Northern Nevada that it might want to move into.

The bank believes the surrounding areas of Carson City, such as Minden and Gardnerville, may have some appeal to the bank. The Reno/Sparks market, along with Incline Village in the Lake Tahoe area, may also present the bank with some good business opportunities.

Business Bank of Nevada, with over $174 million in total assets, is in its sixth year of operations and is one of the fastest-growing independent banks in the state. The bank has four branch offices in Nevada, with three in the Las Vegas area and one in Carson City. The bank has plans to open additional offices statewide in the near future.

Business Bank is FDIC Insured and is a member of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, and is listed over the counter (OTC) at ticker symbol BBNV. www.bbnv.com

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