CALIFORNIA, CAROLINA BANKS ARE WINNERS

US Banker, August, 2001

"I love banking"-despite Alan Greenspan, says top-ranked CEO. Focuses on business loan niche.The Temecula Valley Bank in Temecula, CA, was formed only about three-and-a-half years ago and already has a track record of superb profitability. It places first for the year 2000 among banks with assets ranging from $100 million to $129 million, and second in the three-year ranking.

"Do we have to keep that up?," asks CEO Stephen H. Wacknitz. "The head of a bank is like a football coach, you're only as good as your last quarter."

But first-quarter 2001 results indicate that Wacknitz is keeping up the pace. Earnings were up 20%over the first quarter of 2000, he says.

"I love banking, I love the challenge of it, and [Federal Reserve chairman Alan] Greenspan has...