Headline: Chaula Pandya named Sr. VP at Community Bank of the Bay

Publication: Press Release

Dateline: May 23,2006

Chaula Pandya named Sr. VP at Community Bank of the Bay

OAKLAND, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 26, 2006--Brian Garrett, chief executive officer at Oakland's Community Bank of the Bay (OTCBB:CBYAA - News), said he had 20 million good reasons to promote Chaula Pandya, who oversees the bank's deposit services, to her new rank as senior vice president.

On March 31, the bank's deposits totaled $45.6 million, up from $36.2 million a year before.

Pandya, among many other responsibilities, has overseen the development of the groundbreaking Oakland 1st Fund. The fund, which was started two years ago, recently topped $20 million. Any depositor in any account at Community Bank can ask that those deposits be designated to be used exclusively for Oakland 1st. Loans from the fund are made only for projects in Oakland.

In contrast, depositors in most financial institutions in Oakland have no idea where their money may end up being used. The biggest banks are headquartered elsewhere, in Seattle and North Carolina and Minnesota for example, Pandya noted.

"The response we have received from our customers and from the community has been phenomenal," said Pandya. "We've had customers move their accounts from other banks just so they can be sure their money is used for investment in Oakland's future. When I see things like that happen, it makes me proud to be a part of this community."

Pandya also oversees all of the bank's marketing communication programs, including its television advertising and the online banking program through its Web site, at www.communitybankbay.com.

Before joining Community Bank in 2004, Pandya was at CivicBank of Commerce in deposit operations and as vice president of cash management products and sales.

She hold's a bachelor's degree in psychology from San Francisco State University.

Pandya is active on an advisory board of Wardrobe for Opportunity. She was profiled in 2005 by the East Bay Business Times as one of "40 business leaders under 40."

A photo of Chaula Pandya, as well as b/w and color copies of the NEW Community Bank logo, all scanned specifically for print publication, are easily available upon request. Call 510-304-2411 or e-mail jlyness@e-agency.com.