FREMONT, California - March 17, 2006 - Fremont Bank continues a tradition of being first on the block with new financial products for its customers.

Today the bank offers a new product for commercial real estate and multifamily properties - an equity line of credit. They currently offer "one-fee" pricing on the multifamily product.

Benefits of a commercial or multifamily equity line of credit include the opportunity to access equity when owners have a prepayment penalty on their first mortgage, availability of funds on a revolving line of credit for several years without annual fees, and the opportunity for a rate below the prime index on investment property.

"Because we offer one-fee pricing on our Multifamily Equity Line of Credit or 'MELOC', borrowers know exactly what the loan will cost them, there are no surprise fees at closing" says Melissa Sanguinetti, Manager, Commercial Real Estate Loan Operations. "And, with the automatic payment option, they have a rate that is even get Prime minus a margin. I don't know of any other lender doing such a loan for investment property."

In addition to the MELOC product, Fremont Bank can customize a Commercial Equity Line of Credit or 'CELOC' to fit a business' needs because the bank knows one-size does not fit all.

"We don't try and fit the need into a pre-packaged product," says Sanguinetti.

Fremont Bank provides an equity line on commercial property such as office, retail, warehouse, light industrial, medical or office condos. The bank also lends on specialty use property: petroleum stations with a convenience store or car washes, hotels and hospitality facilities, places of worship or community centers, restaurants, assisted living facilities, auto dealerships, golf courses and more.

Fremont Bank is also very committed to the small businesses in its communities. By working with several CDCs (Community Development Corporations), Fremont Bank is able to help provide them with federally assissted loans through the SBA 504 loan program.

"The CDCs package deals for the Small Business Administration," says Sanguinetti. "Fremont Bank provides a 1st mortgage up to 50% loan-to-value and the SBA does a 2nd mortgage up to 40%. This program makes it possible for business owners to purchase and occupy a building with as little as 10% down."

While many large banks offer commercial lending products, they don't offer the banking relationship with which Fremont Bank has built its reputation.

"There is very little the big banks offer that we cannot." says Sanguinetti, "Actually, we can offer more. We care about people, their needs and how we can help. We are a part of each community we are located in and we will be here in the future."

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