LOS ANGELES, July 16, 2001 (PRIMEZONE) -- General Bank, a wholly owned subsidiary of GBC Bancorp (Nasdaq:GBCB), today opened its 19th branch in Aliso Viejo, California. The branch is designed to serve the Bank's high-technology clients and to accommodate the needs of customers in southern Orange County.
The opening of the new branch comes nearly within a fortnight of the cityhood of Aliso Viejo, an area in Orange County which has experienced exponential growth in the past decade. "The Aliso Viejo Branch provides General Bank with opportunities to serve a fast-growing population in this developing market. Expansion of General Bank's branch network signifies the Bank's commitment to service excellence, and desire to grow together with the Aliso Viejo community," said Peter Wu, President and CEO of General Bank.
Branch information is as follows:
Address: 65 Enterprise, Aliso Viejo, California, 92656
Contact: Vivian Chang, Customer Service Manager
Telephone: 949-360-9858
Facsimile: 949-360-9628
Alex Lee, Director of Branch Administration, will oversee the branch, with daily operations under the charge of Customer Service Manager, Vivian Chang. "We are particularly pleased with the strategic location of the branch within the 'Enfrastructure' high-technology campus," said Lee, "which will compliment the efforts of our Southern California High Tech Department." General Bank is one of the very few banks among its peer group in the country that is successfully engaged in financing the high-tech sector. The Bank also specializes in international trade financing, and real estate and construction lending.
The new Aliso Viejo Branch, the Bank's 4th branch in Orange County, provides a comprehensive range of financial services, in line with the Bank's strategy of offering customers personalized financial solutions.
General Bank's holding company, GBC Bancorp, is the most profitable banking corporation in the U.S. among banking companies with assets ranging between $1.12 to $2 billion, based on one-year and five-year return on average equity and per-share earnings growth, as of December 31, 2000 (U.S. Banker, 7/01). GBC Bancorp has further distinguished itself as the most efficient bank holding company in California, the fifth most efficient nationwide, as of December 2000 (American Banker, 5/31/01), and was rated the most profitable financial institution in Los Angeles, based on five-year average annual return on equity (Los Angeles Business Journal, 4/30/01).
General Bank is a California-chartered, full-service commercial bank, and is deeply rooted in the belief that excellent customer service and truly personal attention will appeal to all people seeking a sound, friendly and professional banking relationship. Headquartered in downtown Los Angeles, the Bank has branches throughout California and Washington State, and a loan office in New York City. For more information about GBC Bancorp and General Bank, visit the company's Website at www.generalbank.com.