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            Imperial Bank to Receive Hall of Fame Award







CONTACT:    Ann Abajian
            (310) 752-4400 ext. 123

IMPERIAL BANK TO RECEIVE WORLD TRADE CENTER ASSOCIATION'S
WORLD TRADE HALL OF FAME AWARD

Trade Industry's Highest Honor Presented to
Imperial Co-Founder and Chairman George L. Graziadio

LOS ANGELES (May 1, 2000) - The World Trade Center Association Los
Angeles-Long Beach will recognize Imperial Bank Chairman and Co-founder
George L. Graziadio with the World Trade Hall of Fame Award on May 9, 2000.
Imperial Bank will also be presented with the President's "E" Award for
excellence in export service, which is given to U.S. companies or
organizations that have demonstrated outstanding contributions to the
increase of U.S. exports. Imperial is the first bank in the nation to
receive the "E" Award since 1995.

      "Imperial's team of international banking experts has helped
hundreds of importers and exporters compete in the global marketplace, in
turn creating jobs and revenue that build our local economy," said
Graziadio.  "I would like to commend all of the international companies
that have contributed to the region's growth, and am honored to be
recognized for Imperial Bank's dedication to the growth of international
trade."

      "We are honored to recognize Mr. Graziadio for his leadership and
vision in directing Imperial Bank's international endeavor as well as
supporting the overall Los Angeles area economy," said Tom Teofilo,
president of the World Trade Center Association Los Angeles-Long Beach.

About the Awards
The World Trade Hall of Fame Award is given to as many as four
outstanding leaders in multinational corporations for their significant
contributions to the growth of international trade while directly
supporting the development of the Los Angeles regional economy.  The 11th
annual World Trade Hall of Fame Awards Dinner will take place at the
Wilshire Grand Hotel in Los Angeles, and is expected to draw an audience
of approximately 500 business, government and civic leaders.

Presented by the Department of Commerce in the name of the President of
the United States, the "E" Award was created by President John F. Kennedy
in 1961 as the nation's highest award to honor U.S. manufacturers and
organizations that demonstrate superior performance in increasing and
promoting exports. Imperial's "E" award was based on its business
strategy to develop specialty financial services for select high-growth
industries and mid-sized businesses, including the bank's introduction of
SWIFTradeSM, the first Web-based global trade finance system that
provides real-time letters of credit reporting and issuance.

About World Trade Center Association
The World Trade Center Association Los Angeles-Long Beach is one of the
largest and most active of more than 300 World Trade Centers in the
world.  Its prime mission is the promotion of international commerce to
one of the world's most dynamic international business communities.

About Imperial Bank
With $7 billion in assets, Imperial Bank is one of the leading
independent business banks headquartered in California and offers a wide
range of financial services tailored to corporate customers,
entrepreneurs and professionals.  Serving mid-sized businesses, Imperial
Bank's strategy focuses on delivering customized financial products and
services to manufacturing, distribution, wholesale, service,
import/export, apparel and textile businesses; in addition to some of the
fastest growing industries such as emerging technology, entertainment,
residential construction, and title and escrow.  Founded in 1963 by
California entrepreneurs, Imperial Bank is the principal subsidiary of
Imperial Bancorp (NYSE - IMP), with 15 regional banking offices:  12
located throughout California; in Phoenix, Arizona; in Denver, Colorado;
and in Kirkland, Washington.  In addition, Imperial has emerging growth
loan offices in Phoenix, Arizona; Irvine, Los Angeles, Menlo Park and San
Diego, California; Denver, Colorado; Boston, Massachusetts;
Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina; Austin and Dallas, Texas; Reston,
Virginia; and Kirkland, Washington.  Imperial can be found on the Web at
www.imperialbank.com.

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