2008-10-14 13:21:04 -

- Western Alliance Bancorporation (NYSE:WAL) announced today that Joyce Smith has joined Bank of Nevada as Senior Vice President, Branch Deposit Manager of its Rainbow Regional Office.

In her new position, Smith will be responsible for oversight of deposit relationship management and client service quality. Prior to joining Bank of Nevada, Smith was Executive Vice President, Chief Retail Officer

of Community Bank of Nevada and has over 17 years of Nevada banking experience.

"Joyce brings a wealth of banking knowledge and first-hand experience in understanding the needs of clients in this market," said Bruce Hendricks, President & CEO of Bank of Nevada. "She will be a valuable asset in furthering our delivery of the highest standard of relationship banking."

Bank of Nevada serves the business and professional community with a comprehensive range of business and personal banking services. Since its founding in 1994, the Bank has grown to over $3 billion in assets with 15 strategically located offices in Las Vegas, Henderson, North Las Vegas and Mesquite.

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.

Western Alliance Bancorporation
Robert Sarver, 602-952-5400
Bruce Hendricks, 702-248-4200