San Francisco -- May 2, 2001 -- Silicon Valley Bank, a wholly owned subsidiary of Silicon Valley Bancshares, is co-sponsoring and hosting a workshop at the Build Value 2001: CEO Forum conference held May 1 - 2. The conference will take place at the Fairmont Hotel on top Nob Hill in San Francisco.

Silicon Valley Bank's hosted workshop is called "Alternative Capital for Today's Market." Panelists will discuss today's market and how angel investors are making investment decisions, what options are available from leasing companies, and how Silicon Valley Bank is helping companies secure funding and opportunities offered by the new venture capital community. The panel will consist of Silicon Valley Bankers Philip Johnson, managing director of the Corporate Development and Alliances Group, and John Flinn, managing director of the Seed Capital Group. Jim Marshall, general partner of Selby Partners, and Carol Sands, managing director of the Angels' Forum will also be panelists. Barbara Kamm, managing director from Silicon Valley Bank, will moderate.

Build Value 2001 targets CEOs that are facing the challenges of building a successful business and developing exceptional leadership. This event offers business leaders insights and navigational tools to turn today's market obstacles into a competitive advantage. The speakers and panelists throughout the two-day conference will be industry leaders and other CEOs, discussing the latest technical advances driving successful companies, helping attendees to enhance their leadership skills and build winning organizations.

Silicon Valley Bank serves emerging growth and middle market companies in targeted niches, focusing on technology and life sciences, while also addressing other specific industries in which it can provide a higher level of service and better manage credit through specialization and focus.

The Bank operates throughout the Silicon Valley: Santa Clara, Palo Alto and Sand Hill, the center of the venture capital community in California. Other regional offices within California include: Irvine, Los Angeles, Napa Valley, San Diego, San Francisco, Santa Barbara, and Sonoma. Office locations outside of California include: Phoenix, Arizona; Boulder, Colorado; West Palm Beach, Florida; Atlanta, Georgia; Chicago, Illinois; Boston, Massachusetts; Minneapolis, Minnesota; Durham, North Carolina; Portland, Oregon; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Austin, Texas; Dallas, Texas; Northern Virginia; and Seattle, Washington. More information on the Bank can be found at www.svb.com .

SVB Contact: Andrea McGhee, (408) 654-3078, amcghee@svbank.com.