FIRST INTERSTATE BANK CELEBRATES 'CHRISTMAS IN APRIL' SATURDAY, APRIL 29; Rehabilitates 10 California Homes as Part of National Rebuilding Day

Business Wire, April 28, 1995

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 28, 1995--Tommorrow is ``Christmas in April'' across the nation, with an estimated 130,000 volunteers donating their time and skills to repair and rehabilitate 4,000 U.S. homes belonging to elderly, disabled or low-income homeowners.

In California, First Interstate Bank is getting into the Christmas spirit by sponsoring repairs on 10 homes across the state, at a total cost of $29,000. The bank's chairman, Bruce Willison, will lead 265 employees in volunteering their Saturday to make home improvements at the 10 sites. Willison also will add a special ``season's greeting'' by hanging a Christmas wreath on the door of the home being repaired in Pasadena.

The 10 First Interstate Bank-sponsored ``Christmas in April'' homes are in the Bay Area (San Francisco, Berkeley, San Jose), Los Angeles County (Pasadena, South Central Los Angeles, Long Beach and Pomona), Orange County (Stanton), Sacramento and Bakersfield.

Jill Halverson, the bank's community affairs manager, commented, ``It's part of First Interstate's culture to actively support the communities we serve. We are excited to support the work of Christmas in April and to be part of the national effort to renovate thousands of homes in a single day. Our employees who participated last year found the work to be very rewarding.''

Christmas in April/USA is the leading national volunteer organization that, in partnership with the community, rehabilitates the houses of low-income homeowners, particularly the elderly and disabled, so they may continue to live in warmth, safety and independence. After months of planning and preparation, Christmas in April's work culminates in a National Rebuilding Day the last Saturday in April. This year, Christmas in April will renovate homes in 410 cities and towns in the nation.

With 428 branch offices statewide, First Interstate Bank is the third-largest bank in California. It is the primary subsidiary of Los Angeles-based First Interstate Bancorp, the 13th largest banking company in the United States.

CONTACT: First Interstate Bank, Los Angeles

Rich Wyler, 213/614-4462 (office) 213/613-5995 (pager)

Ken Preston, 213/614-3656 (office) 800/976-3291 (pager)

or

Christmas in April

Katrina Wollenberg, 415/326-4400; 415/722-0771 (cellular)