Community Bank Investment Expert Joins BankIPO.com

Feb. 28, 2006--SAN DIEGO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)

James R. Miller, an industry recognized securities analyst and appraiser, joined California-based BankIPO.com recently to provide his services as an analyst, market maker and portfolio strategist to de novos and their shareholders. The addition of Mr. Miller to BankIPO.com will help de novos enhance their competitive and capital position, giving them the edge they need in the rapidly changing investment market.

Miller brings to the table a broad range of experience and a clear vision of where the market is headed. He educates banks about the securities market, implementing service packages that produce tangible results. These services include market making, fairness opinions and valuations, mergers and acquisitions analyses, capital augmentation plans and consultations on corporate strategies. These services have the capacity to assist in the day-to-day structure of the trading activity as related to the Bank's shares in the marketplace. By serving as a market maker directly, or by assisting the Bank's process, the goal is to enable the market to recognize the Bank's fundamental progress.

Says Miller of today's banking environment: "The market for the community bank investor looks extremely promising. A sweep of solid earnings and rising market tide has resulted in some lofty share levels, although many solid values remain for the discerning investor. Additionally, strong performance in the community bank sector, coupled with generous pricing ratios, will likely result in an increase in mergers and acquisitions, giving potential acquirers a rich 'currency' to spend on the acquisition of solid community franchises."

Of particular consequence to investors is Mr. Miller's capacity as a portfolio strategist. Mr. Miller manages individual accounts, diversifying investments in a portfolio of bank stocks that are designed to be value based and diversified as to demographics and market capitalization. Using his skills as an analyst, Miller performs the initial screening of potential candidates, bringing the participating firms only the most qualified leads. If the preliminary results in the analytical scrutiny portend a favorable potential, the project is passed on to those participating firms.

Miller's securities services are managed through Emmett A. Larkin Company, Inc. at 100 Bush Street, San Francisco, CA 94104.

BankIPO.com
Jim Miller, 760-918-9740