WSBA Western Sierra Bancorp (MM)

Western Sierra Bank Celebrates Grand Opening in North Natomas, CA CAMERON PARK, Calif., Feb. 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Kirk N. Dowdell, President and Chief Executive Officer of Western Sierra Bank, a subsidiary of Western Sierra Bancorp (NASDAQ:WSBA) is pleased to announce the grand opening of the new North Natomas Branch located at 276l Del Paso Road in the new North Natomas area of Sacramento. We are also pleased to introduce the bank's newest team member, Western Sierra's Volkswagen mobile mascot, "Penny II," a pink piggy bank on wheels. The ribbon cutting and grand opening festivities began on Valentine's Day, February 14th, inviting customers and prospects to fall in love with Western Sierra Bank. "Opening de novo branches in high growth areas is part of our overall strategy to grow Western Sierra Bank. North Natomas is considered a hot market for growth both in the consumer and business market segments. Western Sierra's mission in North Natomas and throughout our territory is to respond to the needs of clients, providing world-class products and services, and partnering with the communities we serve. That's the Western Sierra Way," stated Kirk Dowdell. The North Natomas branch is a 4,000 square foot retail financial center that resembles a professional living room environment with the client greeting area just six feet away from the front door. The smell of "Western Roast" fresh coffee, adds to the warm and approachable environment for clients and prospects to discuss banking services. Bill Badham, Regional VP, Commercial Lending and Sandra Galyardt, Branch Manager and their team are looking forward to a great partnership with the North Natomas community. This is the 13th location in Western Sierra Bank's network and the 4th branch in Sacramento County. Western Sierra Bancorp, comprised of Western Sierra Bank, Lake Community Bank, Central California Bank and Auburn Community Bank, has assets of $1.2 billion. The Company operates in 33 locations throughout the counties of El Dorado, Placer, Sacramento, Lake, Stanislaus, Calaveras, Contra Costa, Tuolumne and Butte. This press release contains statements, which constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that involve risk and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from the results in these forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause such a difference include, among other things, fluctuations in interest rates, changes in economic conditions or governmental regulation, credit quality and other factors discussed in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003. DATASOURCE: Western Sierra Bank CONTACT: Kirk N. Dowdell, President/CEO, or Anthony J. Gould, EVP/CFO, both of Western Sierra Bank, +1-530-677-5600 Web site: http://www.westernsierrabancorp.com/

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