News by SB Informer

Bridge Bank Hosts the SBA Financial Advocate of the Year Award

SB Informer
Thursday, May 25, 2006; 02:00 AM

SAN JOSE -- Bridge Capital Holdings (NASDAQ:BBNK), whose subsidiary is Bridge Bank, National Association, one of the fastest-growing full-service business banks in California and the Nation, teamed-up with the U.S. Small Business Administration to present the 2006 SBA Financial Services Advocate of the Year Award in the San Francisco SBA District to Eric Weaver, Executive Director of Lenders for Community Development (LCD). The event was held at the San Jose City Hall Rotunda on Tuesday, May 23, with more than 100 people in attendance.

This event was sponsored and presented by Bridge Bank together with the U.S. Small Business Administration, which Mark Quinn, the San Francisco District Director of the SBA made the award presentation. Co-sponsors included Bay Area Development Company, a premier CDC throughout Northern California; and the voice of our local businesses, Pat Dando, President and CEO of the San Jose Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce was a featured speaker.

Candidates for SBA Awards are nominated by business associates and undergo a lengthy application process. Mr. Weaver was nominated by Ralph Barnett, Executive Vice President and Manager of the SBA Loan Group at Bridge Bank.

"It is individuals like Eric Weaver, and firms like LCD, that create economic opportunity and educate the entrepreneurs in our community to become self-sufficient," stated Mr. Barnett. "The SBA loan program provides the bank a great deal of flexibility in providing financing solutions for these early stage small businesses. Often times the fundamentals of a credit request don't allow a lender to meet the needs of the small business and it is the SBA program and organization like LCD that allow us to go beyond the numbers and focus on the individual and business potential."

LCD is a lender-supported, non-profit financial institution that enables low-income individuals, families and communities to create economic opportunity, build financial stability, and pursue self-sufficiency. This is achieved by not only offering direct financing to companies that cannot qualify for a bank loan, but also providing targeted training, money management assistance, and peer counseling. These programs, in conjunction with Individual Development Accounts (IDA), a matched savings account program, provide the necessary tools for these early stage businesses to succeed. With over 230 loans closed in the local community, of which over 80% were low-income businesses, LCD has had significant impact on the local business community.

"Bridge Bank and the other member banks provide a critical service to low-income entrepreneurs when they invest in LCD," commented Eric Weaver. "Bridge Bank helps us help individuals pursue self-sufficiency so people can improve their own lives."

May 15 - 20, 2006 is National Small Business Week in the United States. Sponsored by the U.S. Small Business Administration, Small Business Week recognizes exceptional small business owners for their personal achievement and contributions to the US economy.

"Small Business Week is our opportunity to recognize and congratulate the accomplishments of small businesses everywhere," said Mark Quinn, Director of the San Francisco District of the SBA. "Eric has been crucial in steering LCD into successfully putting together and running so many programs important to the community, like their IDA and microloan programs. Plus, he was one of the first on-site partners of ours when we were putting together the Entrepreneur Center in San Jose. We're really glad to be able to recognize his contributions."

The following Small Business advocate awards are presented in each SBA District: Entrepreneurial Success, Exporter of the Year, Financial Services Advocate, Small Business Journalist, Minority Business Advocate, Women in Business Advocate, Veterans Advocate, Young Entrepreneur, and Small Business Person of the Year.

Bridge Bank is a California Statewide Preferred Lender, the highest level of lending accreditation awarded by the Small Business Administration. Since establishing its SBA Lending Group in 2002, Bridge Bank has consistently been ranked as one of the most active SBA lenders in California.

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.bridgecapitalholdings.com.

About Bridge Bank, N.A.
Bridge Bank, N.A. is Silicon Valley's full-service professional 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, Redwood City, Sacramento, San Ramon-Pleasanton, San Diego, Bakersfield, Fresno, Orange County, and Dallas, TX business communities. Bridge Bank provides its clients with a comprehensive package of business banking solutions delivered through experienced, professional bankers. Visit Bridge Bank on the web at www.bridgebank.com.

Forward Looking Statements
Certain matters discussed in this press release constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and are subject to the safe harbors created by that Act. Forward-looking statements describe future plans, strategies, and expectations, and are based on currently available information, expectations, assumptions, projections, and management's judgment about the Bank, the banking industry and general economic conditions. These forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed, suggested or implied by the forward looking statements.

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; (7) future credit loss experience; (8) the ability to satisfy requirements related to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and other regulation on internal control; (9) civil disturbances or terrorist threats or acts, or apprehension about the possible future occurrences of acts of this type; and (10) the involvement of the United States in war or other hostilities.

The reader should refer to the more complete discussion of such risks in Bridge Capital Holdings reports on Forms 10-K and 10-Q on file with the SEC.

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