County Bank Promotes Craig De Shields to the Position of Consumer Loan Manager.

Business Editors

MERCED, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 16, 2000

County Bank announced the recent promotion of Craig De Shields to Vice President, Consumer Loan Manager.

De Shields has been with Capital Corp of the West, the parent company of County Bank for over ten years. He previously held key positions with another of Capital Corp's subsidiaries.

De Shields has an impressive history with the company. In 1989 he was a Teller/Clerk and eventually advanced to branch manager for a new facility. In 1997 De Shields earned his way to the prestigious President Circle and in 1998 his delinquency rate was the best of all Loan Managers.

"His commitment to career training and community service has made him a most valuable resource," reported the bank's President and CEO, Tom Hawker. "At County Bank, our philosophy of investing in our own communities and citizens proves itself in the advancements of Craig De Shields."

De Shields is a Fresno Chamber of Commerce member and serves on the Ambassador Committee. He is also a member of the Kiwanis of Northwest Fresno where he has served as a board member, Inter-Club Chairman, and 1999-2000 Club President. In 1994 De Shields graduated from San Francisco State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration.

County Bank is an independent community bank, with 15 branches serving customers in the counties of Fresno, Madera, Mariposa, Tuolumne, Stanislaus, Tulare and Merced. Capital Corp of the West, the holding company of County Bank, has assets of over $500 million, is located in Merced, Calif., and can be found on the World Wide Web at www.ccow.com and traded through the National Stock Exchange (Nasdaq:CCOW). Capital Corp of the West offices are housed at the Merced facility at 550 West Main St. The Bank is a member of FDIC and an equal housing lender.