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FREMONT, California - September 2, 2005 - Celebrate Fremont's Diamond Sponsor Fremont Bank gives more than money to the city's historic year-long jubilee scheduled to kickoff its 50th anniversary with a gala on Jan. 20, 2006.

From Executive Staff on down to Branch Associates, making sure the city's 50th anniversary party called "Celebrate Fremont" will go down in the annals as the biggest bash ever is a key part of community banking. The celebration will be talked about for years to come throughout the city.

"Fremont Bank is synonymous with Fremont," says Vice Mayor Dominic Dutra. "They've not only been incredibly generous over the years financially, but their staff, their employees, their bank really have woven themselves into the fabric of what Fremont is."

So, it is not surprising that in the fall of 2004, when the grass roots community effort first began and Fremont Bank's then CEO Mike Wallace was approached for a donation, he, with the overwhelming blessing of the Board of Directors gave $50,000.

But the giving didn't stop there. When the steering committee first met in June in donated offices and sat in rickety chairs, Fremont Bank's Gary DeLuca asked, "Do you need office furniture?" Within days, very nice office chairs arrived. Spotty mail service became a great concern for Celebrate Fremont Vice Chairwoman Suzanne Lee Chan who worried donations could go astray. Again, Fremont Bank stepped in and solved the problem by providing lock box service.

"This is a tremendous amount of relief knowing these donations are going to the bank and they are being deposited and processed immediately," Chan says.

Chan works with a number of individuals at the bank from the top on down who she says support Celebrate Fremont and help ease her work. She rattles off a list of names that include Mike Wallace, Hattie Hyman, the Hyman family, Gary DeLuca, Kimberly Brokaw, Gloria Villasana Fuerniss, Patty Greenup and Helen Liu.

"Helen has been phenomenal," Chan says.

With the bank's instructions, Liu immediately set up a money market account and checking account. Liu also helped set up credit card processing through merchant services.

"That was a huge benefit," Chan says.

"We are just so delighted to be able to participate in Celebrate Fremont," says Liu, Division Manager for Fremont Bank's Private Banking Group. "And, more importantly, that we were chosen to be the bank of choice for Sue. We are going to do whatever possible to help."

The Private Banking Group handles unique client portfolios such as Celebrate Fremont. When Chan needed a service not handled by that department, Liu referred her to Relations Manager Gary Finnegan of Fremont Bank's Wealth Management division. Finnegan is now helping Chan to protect donations not FDIC protected.

"For the bank to come forward and support us in such a significant way is so appreciated," Chan says.

Money and financial services are not the only ways the bank is helping the city celebrate its 50th Anniversary. When the time comes, many bank employees are ready to step forward and volunteer their time, something the bank has always encouraged.

"Every step of the way Fremont Bank has been there to offer their services," says Chan. "We are overwhelmed with their generosity."

About Fremont Bank
Fremont Bank and its divisions are committed to providing its communities with high-quality, personalized banking services in convenient neighborhood locations. Fremont Bank has built a reputation as one of the most progressive community banks in California.

Fremont Bank was founded in 1964 on the cornerstone value that continues to fuel its success today: fast, friendly, honest service. Customers can still count on receiving this exceptional level of service - a rarity in today's marketplace. For more information, call (800) 743-INFO.

Press Contacts:
Laura Owen
Public Relations, Fremont Bank
Phone: (800) 743-INFO
Email: PublicRelations@fremontbank.com