PALO ALTO, Calif., May 16, 2006 - SVB Financial Group (Nasdaq: SIVB) expanded its financial services in the U.K. today, announcing the addition of investment banker Christopher Kirby, who will manage merger, acquisition and private capital advisory services for SVB Alliant Europe Ltd. based in London. As the managing director of SVB Alliant Europe, Kirby will oversee a local team and work with European technology and life science companies on M&A and private capital transactions. SVB Alliant Europe is an affiliate of SVB Alliant and SVB Silicon Valley Bank in the U.S. and a sister company to SVB Europe Advisors, which opened in London in 2004 and provides business services and access to debt financing for high-growth technology companies and private equity firms.

"SVB Alliant is well regarded for our extensive relationships with buyers, venture capitalists and emerging technology entrepreneurs, as well as our deep domain expertise and our proven track record of building value for clients," said David Ketsdever, CEO, SVB Alliant. "The international component of our business is essential in today's global marketplace and Chris has the experience and drive to expand SVB's capabilities and positive reputation in Europe." SVB's European operations offer local technology companies and private equity firms access to the company's extensive network of business partners and clients in the same industries worldwide. Since opening SVB Europe Advisors in 2004, the company has helped U.S.-based companies access European markets and U.K.-based companies access debt financing. With the addition of M&A and private capital advisory services, SVB will be in an even stronger position to help European technology and life science companies succeed.

Kirby has more than 20 years of experience in investment banking and research for the technology industry. As an equity analyst at Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. in New York, he followed consumer electronics and semiconductor companies. At Rothschild Inc. Kirby served as an analyst and research director and at Cowen & Co. in San Francisco he followed semiconductor companies. Moving into investment banking, Kirby handled more than 40 transactions on the West Coast and later led Cowen's European investment banking business in London and Munich. Kirby joined DLJ in London to manage its European technology banking practice (acquired by Credit Suisse) and later Lehman Brothers as managing director and co-head of European technology banking. Most recently Kirby was the chairman of the not-for-profit organization European Tech Tour Association, based in Geneva and he helped start two India-based outsourced research organizations. Kirby earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Pennsylvania and an MBA from the Columbia School of Business.

About SVB Financial Group
For more than twenty years, SVB Financial Group, the parent company of SVB Silicon Valley Bank, has been dedicated to helping entrepreneurs succeed. SVB Financial Group is a financial holding company that serves emerging growth and mature companies in the technology, life science, private equity and premium wine industries. Headquartered in Santa Clara, Calif., SVB Financial Group provides clients with commercial, investment, international and private banking services. The company also offers funds management, broker-dealer transactions, asset management and a full range of services for private equity companies, as well as the added value of its knowledge and networks worldwide. SVB Financial Group operates through 27 offices in the U.S. and three internationally. More information on the company can be found at www.svb.com.SVB Silicon Valley Bank refers to the commercial banking operation of SVB Financial Group, which includes Silicon Valley Bank, the California bank subsidiary of SVB Financial Group.

About SVB Alliant
SVB Alliant, a member of global financial services firm SVB Financial Group, is an investment banking firm providing M&A and private capital advisory services to technology and life science companies. SVB Alliant's expertise spans the technology landscape, with deep subject-matter and execution experience in semiconductors, communications, storage, security, networking, peripherals and capital equipment, the Internet, software and services, life sciences and premium wine. The firm has offices in Palo Alto, California and Boston, Massachusetts and an affiliate in London, England. Additional information is available at www.svballiant.com.

SVB Alliant Europe Ltd. is registered in England and Wales at 34 Dover Street, W1S 4NG, U.K. under No. 5089363 and is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.

SVB Alliant is a wholly owned broker-dealer subsidiary of SVB Financial Group, the parent company of Silicon Valley Bank, and a member of NASD & SIPC. SVB Alliant's services are not Bank products or services. The services of SVB Alliant are not guaranteed by the Bank, are not FDIC-insured and may lose value.