SAN DIEGO, Calif., March 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Bank of Commerce (Nasdaq: BCOM)
today announced it will pay its 44th consecutive quarterly cash dividend on
the 1st day of May, 1998 to shareholders of record on March 31, 1998.  The
three cents ($.03) per share dividend is almost double the dividend paid at
this time in 1997 due to the 2-for-1 split paid December 10, 1997 and the
5-for-2 split paid May 5, 1997.
    "We are delighted to continue to share our accelerating growth in our
business with increased dividend and strong operating performance," stated
Peter Q. Davis, Chairman and CEO.
    On January 20, 1998, Bank of Commerce reported record fourth quarter and
full year profits for 1997.  The bank's fourth quarter profits more than
doubled to $2.4 million, or $.19 per share, compared to $1.0 million, or
$.09 per share, in the fourth quarter a year ago.  For all of 1997, the Bank's
profits increased 101% to a record $7.0 million, or $.56 per share, compared
to $3.5 million, or $.32 per share, in 1996.  Per share results reflect the
5-for-2 stock split paid May 5, 1997 and the 2-for-1 stock split paid December
10, 1997.  Bank of Commerce's 1997 return on average equity was 27.3% for the
fourth quarter and 22.4% for the year.
    Bank of Commerce recently announced its acquisition of Rancho Vista
National Bank.  On February 10, 1998, both banks jointly signed a definitive
agreement to merge.
    Bank of Commerce is the nation's leading SBA bank lender and the largest
publicly held independent bank headquartered in San Diego County.  The bank
operates twelve specially designated loan production offices in San Diego,
Glendale, Orange, Sacramento, and San Francisco, CA; Las Vegas and Reno, NV;
Phoenix and Tucson, AZ; Seattle, WA; Portland, OR; and Denver, CO.  In
addition, Bank of Commerce operates seven full service branches in San Diego,
Palm Desert, and Temecula, CA.  On Monday, March 2, Bank of Commerce shares
closed the trading day at $ 14.37.
    NOTE:  This company is a client of Len Cereghino & Co. Corporate Investor
Relations.
    Bank of Commerce press releases are available at no charge through PR
Newswire's Company News On-Call fax service.  For a menu of Bank of Commerce
press releases or to retrieve a specific release, call 1-800-IRNEWS9,
extension 123798, or http://www.prnewswire.com/cnoc/exec/menu?123798 on the
Internet.

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