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Bridge Bank Establishes the Bridge Bank Chair at San Jose State University

San Jose, CA – December 19, 2008– Bridge Capital Holdings (NASDAQ: BBNK), whose subsidiary is Bridge Bank, National Association, today announced that it has established a term academic chair at the Center for Banking and Financial Services in the College of Business at San Jose State University. In recognition for providing resources for the advancement of the educational mission at San Jose State, the term academic chair has officially been named the ‘Bridge Bank Chair for Banking and Financial Services’.

The Bridge Bank Chair is intended to augment the teaching, research and creative activities of faculty of the highest academic and professional caliber in the area of commercial banking and financial services. Dr. Themis D. Pantos, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Finance with San Jose State University, has been named as the first Bridge Bank Chair.

"At no other time in history have corporate partnerships been more vital and relevant to higher education as they are today," said David M. Steele, Ph.D., Dean of the College of Business and the Lucas Graduate School of Business at San Jose State University. "We commend Bridge Bank on their insight and leadership for investing in the future leaders of the banking industry."

The focus of the Center for Banking and Financial Services at San Jose State University is to build a vital partnership between the University’s College of Business and local financial institutions, and more specifically to create a link between talented San Jose State students and the banking and financial services industry. The Center for Banking and Financial Services is directed by Dr. Marco Pagani.

"Bridge Bank is pleased to expand our longstanding relationship with San Jose State University," said Tim Boothe, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Bridge Bank. "With all that is happening in our industry now, there is a growing need to educate and prepare quality college graduates to become responsible and effective stewards of the commercial banking and financial industries."

Bridge Bank actively participates in other SJSU activities including the Sbona Honors Program which provides internships to give hands-on experience for College of Business students who meet academic requirements. The Bank is also an advocate of the Financial Management Association (FMA) at SJSU. This is a nationwide association which the SJSU Chapter has received various awards including Superior Chapter Awards, a Platinum Award for Growth and Development; Silver in National Honor Society Development, and an outstanding Faculty Advisor Award.


About Bridge Capital Holdings
Bridge Capital Holdings is the holding company for Bridge Bank, National Association. Bridge Capital Holdings was formed on October 1, 2004 and holds a Global Select listing on the NASDAQ Stock Market under the trading symbol BBNK. Visit Bridge Capital Holdings on the web at www.bridgecapitalholdings.com.

About Bridge Bank, N.A.
Bridge Bank, N.A. is Silicon Valley's full-service professional business bank. The Bank is dedicated to meeting the financial needs of small, middle-market, and emerging technology businesses. Bridge Bank provides its clients with a comprehensive package of business banking solutions delivered through experienced, professional bankers. Visit Bridge Bank on the web at www.bridgebank.com.

Certain matters discussed in this press release constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and are subject to the safe harbors created by that Act. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. They often include the words “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “estimate,” or words of similar meaning, or future or conditional verbs such as “will,” “would,” “should,” “could,” or “may.” Forward-looking statements describe future plans, strategies and expectations, such as, for example, the Company’s plans to divest itself of non-performing assets, to sell convertible preferred shares and expectations regarding capital ratios. Forward-looking statements are based on currently available information, expectations, assumptions, projections, and management’s judgment about the Company, the banking industry and general economic conditions. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, nor should they be relied upon as representing management’s views as of any subsequent date. Future events are difficult to predict, and the expectations described above are necessarily subject to risk and uncertainty that may cause actual results to differ materially and adversely.

Forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties and actual results may differ materially from those presented, either expressed or implied, in this press release. Factors that might cause such differences include, but are not limited to: the Company’s ability to reach definitive agreements regarding and to subsequently complete the sales of nonperforming assets and convertible preferred shares, the Company’s ability to successfully execute its business plans and achieve its objectives; changes in general economic, real estate and financial market conditions, either nationally or locally in areas in which the Company conducts its operations; changes in interest rates; new litigation or changes in existing litigation; future credit loss experience; increased competitive challenges and expanding product and pricing pressures among financial institutions; legislation or regulatory changes which adversely affect the Company’s operations or business; loss of key personnel; changes in accounting policies or procedures as may be required by the Financial Accounting Standards Board or other regulatory agencies; and the ability to satisfy requirements related to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and other regulation on internal control.

The reader should refer to the more complete discussion of such risks in Bridge Capital Holdings’ annual reports on Forms 10-K and quarterly reports on Forms 10-Q on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly revise these forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.

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