1st Commerce Bank Opens for Business
New Bank Ready to Serve North Las Vegas
LAS VEGAS, Nev.: Oct. 18, 2006 - 1st Commerce Bank President Al G. Gourrier announced today that the bank is officially open for business after receiving regulatory approval and an overwhelming response from investors to the bank's stock offering. Las Vegas's newest community bank is located at 5135 Camino Al Norte in North Las Vegas.
"The reception to our new bank has been extremely positive, from shareholders and various community leaders, as well as from past and current customers and associates of our management team. We began this venture with the belief that there is a need for a bank in North Las Vegas that focuses on establishing long-term relationships with its clients," said Gourrier. "Our philosophy is to know our clients so we can deliver a comprehensive suite of quality financial products to help each one achieve their financial goals. We will be able do this because our credit, pricing and product decisions are made locally, here at the bank, by bankers that know the market, the community and their clients."
Joining Gourrier on the board of directors are the following business leaders:
| Russell S. Bono | Realtor, Award Realty |
| Michael J. Devine | Attorney at Law |
| Charles L. Laskey | President, Lasky, Fifarek & Hogan, PC |
| John S. Lewis | President, Western Regions, Capitol Bancorp Limited |
| Rian M. Ross | Owner, Southwest Commercial Real Estate |
| Harry H. Shull | Manager/Partner, Celebrate Homes |
| Al L. Thomas | Senior Voce President, ACN, Inc. |
| John J. Zanoni | Managing Partner, Zanoni & Company, LLP |
Gourrier has more than 13 years of banking experience in Las Vegas and most recently was Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Officer for Desert Community Bank. 1st Commerce Bank and Desert Community Bank are both members of the Capitol Bancorp (NYSE:CBC) community bank network.
Active in the community, Gourrier serves as a board member and past president of the local chapter of the Urban Financial Services Coalition. He is an active member of the Urban Chamber of Commerce, the Las Vegas and North Las Vegas Chambers of Commerce, and the 100 Black Men of Las Vegas. He was named National Orator of the Year in 1995 by the National Association of Urban Bankers. Gourrier holds a bachelor's degree in finance and a master's degree in business administration from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and is a graduate of the prestigious ABA's Stonier Graduate School of Banking at Georgetown University in Washington DC.
Gourrier is joined on the bank's management team by John Kley as Chief Credit Officer. Kley joins the bank from First Savings Bank and brings more than 26 years of banking experience to his new role. Michael Pizzi, Vice President/Private Banking Manager, joins the bank from Bank of America where he worked for the past seven years, and Marcel Baker, Vice President/Commercial Banker, brings 13 years banking experience to his new role. He most recently was with Desert Community Bank. Also joining the bank is JoAnn Kincaid as AVP/loan operations supervisor. She comes to the bank from Bank of Nevada and has more than 27 years of banking experience.
"The teamwork from all participants has been remarkable,"added Gourrier. "I know I speak for the entire group when I say we look forward to being a long-term partner in this community."
About 1st Commerce Bank
1st Commerce Bank is a full service community bank specializing in total relationship banking for owners of small to mid-sized businesses, medical professionals, real estate professionals and residents of the local community. The bank is located at 5135 Camino Al Norte, Suite 250 in North Las Vegas and is open Monday - Friday, 9 a.m to 4 p.m. Extended hours are available by appointment. Courier service is available for business clients and a full array of electronic banking services offers all clients 24/7 account accessibility. The main phone number is (702) 942-2050.
