SHANGHAI, China and SANTA CLARA, Calif., December 8, 2005 - SVB Financial Group (Nasdaq: SIVBE), the parent company of Silicon Valley Bank, officially opened its third international subsidiary today in Shanghai. SVB Business Partners (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. primarily targets high-growth technology companies and venture capital investors with business and consulting services designed for firms conducting cross-border business. SVB Business Partners (Shanghai) is a part of the SVB Global division, which comprises offices in Bangalore, London and Shanghai and provides clients with access to its network of relationships with venture capital investors worldwide.

Since the early 1990s Silicon Valley Bank has been involved in international markets, building relationships with technology companies, entrepreneurs, venture capitalists and service providers around the globe to help its clients work and sell in overseas markets. Physical locations are the next phase of a global strategy that is further enabling the company to achieve its mission to help entrepreneurs succeed, worldwide. In 2004, SVB opened SVB Europe Advisors in London and SVB India Advisors in Bangalore.

In China, SVB Business Partners (Shanghai) will help develop the entrepreneurial environment locally and encourage Chinese entrepreneurs through connections to investors and business partners as well as through training and networking sessions. The Shanghai team will actively participate in the local technology industry, bringing the full scope of Silicon Valley Bank's knowledge and networks to the Chinese technology market.

In support of Silicon Valley Bank's U.S.-based clients, SVB Business Partners (Shanghai) will serve as a hub for companies expanding business activities or adding a physical presence in China.

"SVB Global is a critical component of the success of high-growth technology companies, so it is only fitting that we would move permanently into China - a growing technology and venture capital hub," said Ken Wilcox, president and CEO of SVB Financial Group and Silicon Valley Bank. "As a financial services company in the technology industry, if we were not global, we would be irrelevant. Having a presence in China will only improve our ability to meet the needs of our enterprising clients and venture capital partners in another technology-rich market."

The Hub for Cross-Border Connections Bridging China and the U.S.

SVB Business Partners (Shanghai) provides consulting and business services, acting as a gateway for U.S.-based and China-based technology companies and venture capital firms pursuing cross-border business. In China, SVB Business Partners will serve as a training and networking hub for local entrepreneurs and investors.Consulting services
  • Consulting and business services such as training, networking, and guidance regarding the selection of service providers (lawyers, accountants, real estate brokers, HR firms, etc.)
  • Organizing various training and networking events to help establish connections with Silicon Valley Bank's clients and partners worldwide
  • Administrative/ business services for clients, including venture fund clients, while visiting China
  • Liaison services to Silicon Valley Bank's global financial services (including global treasury, foreign exchange, global finance and global trade) in the U.S.
  • This subsidiary will not provide lending, deposit or investment services
All SVB Global activity is subject to local rules and regulations.

About SVB Global
SVB Global is the part of SVB Financial Group that is responsible for in-market business services in international locations. Currently, SVB Global oversees operations in Bangalore, London, and Shanghai, as well as a vast network of relationships with venture capital firms and funds throughout Europe, Asia, Israel and around the globe. All SVB Global activity is subject to local rules and regulations.

About SVB Financial Group
For more than 20 years, SVB Financial Group, formerly Silicon Valley Bancshares, 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., USA, 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. More information on the company can be found at www.svb.com.