Silicon Valley Bank Applies for UK Branch License

LONDON, June 1, 2010 - Silicon Valley Bank, financial partner to technology companies and
venture capitalists worldwide, is seeking regulatory approval to open a full
commercial banking branch in the UK. A branch license application was
submitted by Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) to the Financial Services Authority on
Wednesday, May 26, 2010. A Silicon Valley Bank branch in London would offer
loans, deposits, cash management, foreign exchange and trade finance support
services locally to SVB's technology and venture capital clients.
Additionally, a branch would serve the needs of SVB's U.S. and other global
clients transacting business in the UK. Silicon Valley Bank is a commercial
bank and the main operating subsidiary of SVB Financial Group (Nasdaq: SIVB).

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"Silicon Valley Bank is an important part of the growth equation for the
technology, life science and cleantech sectors and venture capital investors
around the world," said Bruce Golden of Accel Partners London. "With its
experience and vast network of connections within all technology and
investment capital sectors globally, SVB has proven to be an invaluable
resource and partner for innovative European firms and integral in
development of many of our portfolio companies."

SVB Financial Group has had an office in London since 2004, and Silicon
Valley Bank has been providing loans to UK-based technology and life science
companies in all stages of their development from start-up to global
corporations. Today, SVB Financial Group UK Ltd. provides access to financial
services as well as SVB's worldwide network of venture capitalists and
partners. SVB Financial Group UK aims to give European technology and life
science companies access to the same targeted financial services as their
U.S.-based counterparts, including sources of diverse debt capital such as
venture debt, acquisition financing, working capital, capital call lines,
growth capital and capex financing. In addition, the UK team offers access to
foreign exchanges services, trade finance and U.S. banking for subsidiaries.
With a branch license, SVB would be able to offer these services locally.

"For nearly 30 years, Silicon Valley Bank has been dedicated to helping
dynamic companies succeed," said Ken Wilcox, president and CEO of SVB
Financial Group. "The opportunity to expand our capabilities in the UK will
help our clients worldwide access Europe more extensively and give British
companies and investors a local partner to help them thrive."

If its application is approved, Silicon Valley Bank anticipates opening a
commercial banking branch in London in 2011, which would be led by Phil Cox,
Head of Europe and Israel, SVB Financial Group.

Cox joined the business in August 2009 and said, "I was attracted by the
opportunity to build something new and different in the UK market, something
that would challenge tradition and create a platform for further growth into
Europe. It is clear that UK entrepreneurial businesses in the technology and
life science sectors are under-served right now and we aim to deliver a broad
relationship-based banking proposition that clearly differentiates us from
the competition."

About Silicon Valley Bank

Silicon Valley Bank provides commercial banking services to emerging
growth and mature companies in the technology, life science, private equity
and premium wine industries. Through its focus on specialized markets and
extensive knowledge of the people and business issues driving them, Silicon
Valley Bank provides a level of service and partnership that measurably
impacts its clients' success. Founded in 1983 and headquartered in Santa
Clara, Calif., the company serves clients around the world through 26 U.S.
offices and five international operations. Silicon Valley Bank is a member of
global financial services firm SVB Financial Group (Nasdaq: SIVB), along with
SVB Analytics, SVB Capital, SVB Global and SVB Private Client Services. More
information on the company can be found at www.svb.com.

Find SVB on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

Banking services are provided by Silicon Valley Bank, a member of the
FDIC and the Federal Reserve System. SVB Private Client Services is a
division of Silicon Valley Bank. SVB Financial Group is also a member of the
Federal Reserve System.

This material has been issued by and approved by SVB Financial Group UK
Ltd. as defined in Section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000.
SVB Financial Group UK Ltd. is registered in England and Wales at 34 Dover
Street, London, W1S 4NG, U.K. under No. 5572575 and is authorised and
regulated by the Financial Services Authority ("FSA"). The services which are
the subject of this material are not available to retail clients as defined
by the FSA. The material is for information purposes only and should not be
considered as an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy any of the
investments mentioned within, or to make any investment decision.

Carrie Merritt of SVB Financial Group, +1-503-574-3705, cmerritt at svb.com