2008-10-13 13:12:02 -

- Western Alliance Bancorporation (NYSE:WAL) announced today that its subsidiary, Torrey Pines Bank, has hired Patrick J. Tropio as Vice President, Relationship Manager in its headquarters office in Carmel Valley.

"We are delighted to have Pat join our team," said Gary Cady, Torrey Pines Bank President and CEO. "Pat is recognized as a top performing banker in this market,

particularly with his track record of building strong deposit relationships with professional, commercial and private banking clients."

Tropio has 17 years' experience in the San Diego market, most recently as Managing Director of First Republic Bank before joining Torrey Pines Bank.

Torrey Pines Bank is the fastest growing de novo bank in San Diego in thirty years, with seven offices and assets of $755 million as of June 30, 2008.

About Western Alliance Bancorporation

Western Alliance Bancorporation is the parent company of Bank of Nevada, First Independent Bank of Nevada, Alliance Bank of Arizona, Torrey Pines Bank, Alta Alliance Bank, Miller/Russell & Associates, Shine Investment Advisory Services, Premier Trust, and PartnersFirst. These dynamic organizations provide a broad array of banking, leasing, trust, investment, and mortgage services to clients in Nevada, Arizona and California, investment services in Colorado, and bank card services nationwide. Staffed with experienced financial professionals, these organizations deliver a broader product array and larger credit capacity than community banks, yet are empowered to be more responsive to customers' needs than larger institutions. Additional investor information can be accessed on the Investor Relations page of the company's website, westernalliancebancorp.com.

for Western Alliance Bancorporation
Robert Sarver, 602-952-5445
Gary Cady, 858-523-4600