WSBA Western Sierra Bancorp (MM)

Western Sierra Bank Celebrates 20 Years of Success CAMERON PARK, Calif., Jan. 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Western Sierra Bank, a subsidiary of Western Sierra Bancorp , celebrates 20 years of successfully providing the financial needs of our customers throughout Placer, Sacramento, and El Dorado counties. Western Sierra opened for business in Cameron Park, California on January 3, 1984 and has since grown from a single branch location to over $450 million in assets, 11 branches and plans to add additional locations in Elk Grove and North Natomas in 2004. "For the past 20 years Western Sierra Bank has built its reputation on providing financial services to meet the individual needs of our customers and the communities we serve," stated Kirk N. Dowdell, President and CEO, Western Sierra Bank. Western Sierra Bancorp a multibank bank holding company of Western Sierra Bank, Central California Bank, Lake Community Bank and Auburn Community Bank has assets of over $1 Billion and 32 locations throughout 15 northern and central California counties. This press release contains statements which constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that involve risk and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from the results in these forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause such a difference include, among other things, fluctuations, interest rates, changes in economic conditions or governmental regulation, credit quality and other factors discussed in the Company's Annual Report for the year ending December 31, 2002. Contact: Western Sierra Bank Kirk N. Dowdell, 530-677-5600 (President/CEO, Western Sierra Bank) Western Sierra Bancorp Gary D. Gall, 530-677-5600 (President/CEO, Western Sierra Bancorp) DATASOURCE: Western Sierra Bancorp CONTACT: Kirk N. Dowdell, President/CEO, Western Sierra Bank, +1-530-677-5600; Gary D. Gall, President/CEO, Western Sierra Bancorp, +1-530-677-5600 Web site: http://www.westernsierrabancorp.com/

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