American Jewish Committee to Present 2004 National Human Relations Award to Union Bank of California CEO on November 18

Business Wire, Nov 18, 2004

SAN FRANCISCO -- Norimichi Kanari, president and chief executive officer of Union Bank of California, N.A., will be recognized by The American Jewish Committee with its prestigious 2004 National Human Relations Award. The award will be presented at a dinner on November 18th at the Four Seasons Hotel in San Francisco. The award is given to leaders whose community works and professional achievements celebrate diversity and reflect the mission of the American Jewish Committee.

The American Jewish Committee is this nation's pioneer community relations organization. AJC has regional offices in 33 major American cities, and overseas offices in Berlin, Jerusalem, Warsaw, Brussels, and Geneva.

"The Institute of Human Relations Award is presented to leaders who through their skills, influence, and dedication have demonstrated their profound commitment to preserving our democratic heritage and securing human rights," said Ernest H. Weiner, executive director of the American Jewish Committee. "We are proud to award Norimichi Kanari this 2004 National Human Relations Award for his professional accomplishments that help to strengthen pluralism and protect the rights of all minorities."

Kanari heads a bank that has a well-documented history of leadership in civic, community, and business affairs. In the early 1900s, Union Bank backed the creation of the largely Jewish-owned garment industry in Los Angeles and its founder helped establish a hospital in the city that eventually became Cedars Sinai. Another Union Bank of California predecessor company, The Bank of Tokyo California, was formed to provide banking services to Japanese Americans, who were routinely denied banking services, shortly after World War II.

Today, Union Bank of California has worked with public television for more than a decade to help recognize the contributions of various individuals -- African American, Hispanic, Asian, and Pacific Islander -- and to showcase their achievements in the community. Union Bank has invested 4.5 percent of its assets every year in the underserved neighborhoods of the communities it serves. Its commitment in 2004 is more than $2 billion.

"I am truly humbled and honored by The American Jewish Committee's Human Relations Award," said Norimichi Kanari, president and chief executive officer of Union bank of California. "Like the American Jewish Committee, Union Bank has a rich history of bridging cultures and creating business opportunities through innovative programs and people. I am proud to continue that tradition in our works today."

Mr. Kanari serves on the boards of directors of Union Bank of California, its holding company, UnionBanCal Corporation (NYSE:UB), and the Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi, Ltd., UnionBanCal's majority shareholder. Mr. Kanari joined the bank in July 2000 as vice chairman, overseeing functions in the Office of the President. He has a broad and distinguished background, including extensive service with The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi and its predecessor, The Bank of Tokyo, in the United States, as well as in Asia. He serves on the Board of Trustees of the Asian Art Museum Foundation. He is the immediate past president of the Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Northern California.

The award dinner will be chaired by Robert T. Parry, retired president and chief executive officer, the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco. Co-chairs include some of California's top business leaders: George C. Halvorson, Peter Magowan, Claire McAuliffe, Regina Liang Muehlhauser, Nelson Rising, Richard Rosenberg, John G. Stumpf, Roselyne Swig, and Kirk Wilson.