MENLO PARK, Calif., October 3, 2006 — SVB Financial Group (Nasdaq: SIVB) expanded its life science team today, announcing the addition of Jon Norris as a managing director for SVB Capital Private Equity Group. In this role, Norris is responsible for strengthening relationships with life science-focused venture capital firms by leveraging SVB's platform of strategic business units, including investment and commercial banking, as well as global and analytical services.

SVB Capital's Private Equity Group provides traditional banking products, customized lending solutions and venture distribution services to more than 500 venture capital and private equity clients worldwide.

"The life science industry continues to be a strategic focus for SVB," said Mark MacLennan, president, SVB Capital. "Jon's expertise in this area will complement our strong life science team across the country and bring added knowledge and leadership to our life science-focused clients. We're looking forward to his many contributions."

Prior to joining SVB Capital, Norris was a founding member and senior vice president of Square 1 Bank, where he was an account officer responsible for sourcing deals and managing regional and national venture capital relationships. Norris also served for more than six years at Imperial Bank (subsequently acquired by Comerica Bank), most recently as senior vice president and group manager of the Northern California Life Science Practice. Prior to banking, Norris was a practicing litigation attorney, specializing in employment defense and toxic tort litigation. Norris earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of California, Riverside and a juris doctorate from Santa Clara University.

About SVB Capital
SVB Capital is SVB Financial Group's private equity arm that provides funds management as well as private equity services. SVB Capital Partners, the unit's funds management group, invests in private equity funds and directly in portfolio companies on behalf of SVB Financial Group and third-party investors. The SVB Capital family of funds exceeds $800 million and includes funds of funds, co-investment funds, venture debt funds and special situation debt funds, all invested predominantly on behalf of endowments and foundations. SVB Capital's Private Equity Group provides traditional banking products and customized lending solutions to more than 500 venture capital and private equity clients worldwide. In addition, the group introduces entrepreneurial companies to sources of venture financing. Located on Sand Hill Road in Menlo Park, California, SVB Capital is a member of global financial services firm SVB Financial Group, with SVB Silicon Valley Bank, SVB Alliant, SVB Analytics, SVB Global and SVB Private Client Services. SVB Capital serves clients across the U.S. and in technology-focused markets worldwide. Additional information is available at www.svbcapital.com.

Banking services are provided by Silicon Valley Bank, a member of FDIC and the California bank subsidiary of SVB Financial Group.