High Country Bancorp, Inc. Announces the Payment of Semi-Annual Cash Dividends and Quarterly Earnings

Business Wire, May 13, 2002

Business Editors

SALIDA, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 13, 2002

High Country Bancorp, Inc. (Nasdaq:HCBC) announced the payment date of its semi-annual cash dividend.

The dividend will be in the amount of $0.25 per share payable on or about May 20, 2002, to stockholders of record at the close of business on May 13, 2002.

Larry D. Smith, President of the Company, stated that the Board of Directors determined that the payment of a dividend was appropriate in light of the Company's financial condition and results of operations. For the three months and nine months ending March 31, 2002, the Company had earnings of $0.42 and $1.40 per share, respectively. He noted that future earnings and payment of dividends are subject to certain risks and uncertainties including changes in economic conditions in the Company's market area, changes in policies by regulatory agencies, fluctuations in interest rates, demand for loans in the Company's market area, and competition.

High Country Bancorp, Inc. is the holding company for High Country Bank, which conducts business through its main office in Salida, Colorado, and branch offices in Salida, Leadville and Buena Vista, Colorado. At May 1, 2002, the Company had 905,409 shares of common stock issued and outstanding, and consolidated total assets of over $170 million.