SVB Silicon Valley Bank Broadens Expertise with Addition of New Technology and Private Equity Financing Specialist

SANTA CLARA, Calif., December 4, 2006 - SVB Silicon Valley Bank, the premier commercial bank nationwide for technology and life science companies of all sizes, hired Brian Sherer as a managing director in Corporate Finance. Effective immediately, Sherer will broaden the company's efforts to arrange and structure debt and banking solutions to select technology and life science firms across the U.S., focusing exclusively on those with private equity backing. SVB Silicon Valley Bank, located in 27 cities across the U.S., is the commercial banking subsidiary of SVB Financial Group (Nasdaq: SIVB).

"For more than twenty years, we have provided innovative, creative financing solutions to technology, life science and private equity firms," said Greg Becker, chief operating officer, SVB Silicon Valley Bank. "Brian's experience and expertise with the buyout community will help us bring our unique understanding of the technology industry's financial needs to this market. We look forward to leveraging Brian's knowledge and long track record in the technology financing and private equity industries to better serve our clients."

Sherer has spent his career developing and providing innovative and complex debt products to technology companies. Most recently, Sherer was a senior vice president at Wells Fargo Foothill, where he focused heavily on private equity-backed acquisition financing. He has also held senior sales and banking positions with GE Corporate Finance, Greyrock Capital Group, Bank of America and Heller Financial, Inc.

Sherer earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Michigan and is a regular speaker at technology and M&A financing conferences.

About SVB Silicon Valley Bank
SVB Silicon Valley Bank provides commercial banking services to emerging growth and mature companies in the technology, life science, private equity and premium wine industries. Through its focus on specialized markets and extensive knowledge of the people and business issues driving them, SVB Silicon Valley Bank provides a level of service and partnership that measurably impacts its clients' success. Founded in 1983 and headquartered in Santa Clara, Calif., the company serves clients around the world through 27 U.S. offices and three international operations. SVB Silicon Valley Bank is a member of global financial services firm SVB Financial Group, with SVB Alliant, SVB Analytics, SVB Capital, SVB Global and SVB Private Client Services. More information on the company can be found at www.svb.com.

SVB Silicon Valley Bank refers to Silicon Valley Bank, the California bank subsidiary and the commercial banking operation of SVB Financial Group. Banking services are provided by Silicon Valley Bank, a member of the FDIC and the Federal Reserve. SVB Private Client Services is a division of Silicon Valley Bank. SVB Financial Group is also a member of the Federal Reserve.