Return to Index

San Jose, California - November 4, 2004 - Bridge Capital Holdings (NASDAQ: BBNK), whose sole subsidiary is Bridge Bank, National Association, Silicon Valley's newest business bank, announced today that Silicon Valley technology industry veteran Lawrence "Owen" Brown was appointed to the company's Board of Directors. He was also appointed to the subsidiary Bank's Board of Directors.

"We are pleased to have the opportunity to add such an experienced technology executive to our board," said Allan C. Kramer, M.D., Chairman of Bridge Capital Holdings and the Bank. "Owen's extensive knowledge of technology companies will add significantly to the Bank's abilities to serve our growing technology client base."

Owen Brown has managed a variety of high technology companies over the course of his thirty-five year business career. Following his initial role as manager of several business segments of Digital Equipment Corporation, Mr. Brown was selected as the original President and COO of Sun Microsystems. After Sun, he held senior executive positions with Xerox Corporation, Parallel Computers, Inc., Synthesis Software Solutions, Ltd., and other companies. Mr. Brown founded and was the President and CEO of Migration Software, a software engineering services company for Fortune 500 clients requiring expert skills to develop and implement new technologies.

"I look forward to serving on the board of such a fast growing and successful bank," said Mr. Brown. "I am especially excited about participating in the development of bank strategy and capabilities to better serve the Silicon Valley technology industry, a business sector that is rich with opportunity for Bridge Bank."

In addition to his extensive background of managing high technology companies, Mr. Brown has also participated in the venture capital industry of Silicon Valley. He was among the first twenty members of The Band of Angels and has participated in placement of millions of dollars of seed financing to more than one hundred technology start-up companies, including organizing the seed-round funding for Network Appliance Corporation.

Following graduation from Auburn University in Auburn, Alabama, with a B.S.M.E. degree in mechanical engineering, Mr. Brown served twenty-five years on active duty, and in the reserves, with the United States Navy's Nuclear Submarine Force, retiring as a Captain. Mr. Brown attended the University of Chicago's MBA Program and completed the Tuck Executive Program in the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College. In 2001, Mr. Brown was inducted into the Engineering Hall of Fame for the State of Alabama. Mr. Brown recently completed an assignment as the President of the Alumni Association and currently serves on the Foundation Board for Auburn University.

Since obtaining charter approval in late 2000, the Bank raised over $33 million of capital, one of the largest capitalizations within the first year of operation for any bank in California. Bridge Bank has been recognized as one of the fastest growing banks in California as well as the United States. At September 30, 2004, just over three years from it's opening, the Bank reported total assets of $385 million and earnings of $817,000 for the quarter.

Bridge Bank specializes in providing superior service and customized banking solutions to small and middle-market businesses. The Bank's product offerings include 24/7 internet-based business cash management, on-line account statement and item imaging, commercial lines of credit, construction loans, Small Business Administration 7(a) and 504 loans as an SBA Preferred Lender Participant-accredited direct lender, and factoring and asset-based loans through its Bridge Capital Finance Group.

In 2004, Bridge Bank opened a full service regional banking office in downtown San Jose, regional Small Business Administration loan production offices in San Diego and Fresno to serve the Southern and Central California small business markets, and recently formed a holding company, Bridge Capital Holdings. The Bank also received the prestigious 5-Star rating from BauerFinacial Incorporated, that independent rating firm's highest quality rating for financial institutions.

About Bridge Capital Holdings

Bridge Capital Holdings is the holding company for Bridge Bank, National Association. Bridge Capital Holdings was formed on October 1, 2004 and is listed on The NASDAQ Stock Market under the trading symbol BBNK.

Visit Bridge Capital Holdings on the web at www.bridgebankcapitalholdings.com.

About Bridge Bank, N.A.

Bridge Bank is Santa Clara County's newest full-service business bank. The Bank is dedicated to meeting the financial needs of small and middle-market, and emerging technology businesses in the Silicon Valley, Palo Alto, Sacramento, San Diego, and Fresno business communities. Bridge Bank provides clients with a comprehensive package of business banking solutions delivered through experienced and professional bankers. Visit Bridge Bank on the Web at www.bridgebank.com.

These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: (1) competitive pressures in the banking industry; (2) changes in interest rate environment; (3) general economic conditions, nationally, regionally, and in operating markets; (4) changes in the regulatory environment; (5) changes in business conditions and inflation; (6) changes in securities markets; and (7) future credit loss experience.

To print or save a pdf version of this press release please click here to download

You need Acrobat Reader to view these pdf files. Download a free version Here.

To save a .pdf file for off-line viewing, please right click on a link, and choose:

'Save Link As' in Netscape
'Save Target As' in Internet Explorer