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California Bank & Trust Named a Leading SBA Lender in California by the U.S. Small Business Administration

^{Published on 2011-02-02 05:25:26 - Market Wire}
 

SAN DIEGO, CA--(Marketwire - February 2, 2011) - California Bank & Trust (CB&T) ([ www.calbanktrust.com ]) today announced that the bank was ranked the third highest producer of U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) 504 lending in the state of California from October 1, 2009 through September 30, 2010. The ranking is based on the number of SBA 504 loans made by CB&T during the SBA's 2010 fiscal year.

SBA 504 loans are generally used to finance purchases of real estate or other fixed assets for growth in small businesses. According to the SBA, small businesses make up 99.7% of all employers in the United States and create more than 50 percent of non-farm private gross domestic product (GDP).

"The state of the economy continues to challenge many small businesses, making SBA loans even more important to the economic recovery," said Chico Perez, Senior Vice President and SBA Sales Manager of California Bank & Trust. "California Bank & Trust is proud to provide our small business customers with expertise in SBA lending, connecting them to much-needed financial backing during this difficult time."

The U.S. SBA was created in 1953 as an independent agency of the federal government to aid, counsel, assist and protect the interests of small business concerns, to preserve free competitive enterprise and to maintain and strengthen the overall economy of the nation.

About California Bank & Trust
California Bank & Trust, a subsidiary of Zions Bancorporation (NASDAQ: [ ZION ]), is one of the largest banks headquartered in California with over $10 billion in assets and more than 100 branches statewide. CB&T provides a full array of financial solutions for businesses and individuals, including commercial and small business lending, cash management, international banking and wealth management. The professional bankers at CB&T are backed by major resources, yet maintain local-decision making authority and regional market and industry expertise. They are committed to providing clients with valuable business and economic insights and to connecting them with the beneficial business relationships they need to succeed. To learn more, visit [ www.calbanktrust.com ].