West Coast Bank Named Regional Lender of the Year in Loan Volume by the Small Business Administration

LAKE OSWEGO, Ore., May 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- West Coast Bank was recently named 2009 Regional Lender of the Year in loan volume by the federal Small Business Administration (SBA) when they announced awards for the top financial services institutions in the Portland district.

Commercial Banking Executive Vice President Xandra McKeown said, "West Coast Bank has long been an active SBA lender in the markets we serve. Particularly given the financial impact of the 'Great Recession' on businesses of every size, these lending products are increasingly important. It is a pleasure to see our commitment, efforts, and success recognized in this fashion."

West Coast Bank Government Guaranteed Lending Manager Jerry Burns said, "This accomplishment is a direct result of the expertise and dedicated efforts of our SBA team, coupled with the Bank's support of SBA programs. There are many small businesses in the markets we serve that have benefited from the assistance West Coast Bank has given them to start, grow and strengthen their business."

The U.S. Small Business Administration (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 our nation. Although SBA has grown and evolved, the bottom line mission remains the same. The SBA helps Americans start, build and grow businesses. For more information, see www.sba.gov.

West Coast Bancorp, (Nasdaq: WCBO), is a Northwest bank holding company with $2.7 billion in assets, operating 65 locations in Oregon and Washington. The company combines the sophisticated products and expertise of larger banks with the local decision making, market knowledge and customer service of a community bank.  For more information, visit the Company's web site at www.wcb.com.

SOURCE West Coast Bancorp