The opportunity in Las Vegas seems endless. To support the area of the country that attracts an estimated 6,000 net new residents a month, Colonial is expanding its retail presence to serve the area’s promising newcomers. The region recently opened two additional branches in Las Vegas, bringing the total in the state to 13, with four more planned through 2005. The bank is strategically placing new branches in the areas most attractive to the staggering numbers of new residents.

Las Vegas also ranks second in the nation in attracting young, single and college-educated professionals drawn by the area’s continuing job boom and second nationally in the number of jobs created – 24,000, as of September 30, 2003.

Since entering the market in 1998, Colonial has become one of the most active commercial lenders in Nevada, with heavy emphasis on residential land acquisition and development and commercial retail property development in the highly competitive Las Vegas and Reno markets.

The secret to Colonial’s success in Nevada is commitment to the market, demonstrating a high degree of interest in its customers and their businesses. The region’s loan growth of approximately 36 percent led the company overall in 2003 while its nonperforming asset and net charge-off ratios were also the lowest in the company. Driving both the growth and credit quality is a commercial lending team that delivers unparalleled service and reliability.