Zions Bank is Idaho's fifth largest bank (ranked by deposits), and the 154 SBA 7(a) loans it approved in Southern Idaho total more than $13 million and represent more than 33 percent of the 460 SBA-backed loans approved in the district during fiscal year 2009. Zions Bank also approved another 17 loans totaling more than $4 million in Northern Idaho out of the SBA's Spokane District.

"At a time when the media and consumers are raising questions about banks' willingness to make loans, Zions Bank is proud to continue to demonstrate our institution-wide commitment to supporting small businesses as they build and drive our economies," said Zions Bank President and CEO Scott Anderson.

Zions Bank also actively markets SBA loans to women- and minority-owned businesses. During fiscal year 2009, 38 percent (or 59) of the SBA loans Zions Bank approved were made to women- and minority-owned businesses. Additionally, one-quarter of the total Idaho SBA loans closed by Zions Bank in 2009 were made to rural businesses.

SBA 7(a) loans are the most basic and most used type of loan in SBA's business programs. The program offers up to 25-year, fully amortized loans that result in lower monthly payments for the borrower. Proceeds from the 7(a) program may be used for most business purposes, including the purchase of real estate for business operations, acquisition of equipment, and working capital.

The 7(a) loan category also includes SBA's new America's Recovery Capital (ARC) loans, designed to provide an immediate infusion of capital to struggling but viable small businesses. Zions Bank became the first financial institution in the nation to receive authorization by the SBA to extend a new ARC loan to a small business client on June 15, 2009. Since that time, Zions Bank has approved 23 ARC loans in the SBA's Boise District, totaling $786,400. This represents 41 percent of the 56 total ARC loans authorized in the district in 2009.

Nationwide, small firms with fewer than 500 employees represent 99.9 percent of the 26.8 million businesses in America. Small businesses employ about 50 percent of the private workforce, account for more than half of the nation's private sector output, and are the principal source of new jobs in the U.S. economy. In Idaho, about 97 percent of businesses qualify as "small businesses" (businesses with fewer than 500 workers).

Zions Bank, a subsidiary of Zions Bancorporation (Nasdaq:ZION), operates 25 full-service branches in Idaho and 103 branches throughout Utah. In addition to offering a wide range of traditional banking services, Zions Bank is also a leader in small business lending and has ranked as the No. 1 lender of U.S. Small Business Administration 7(a) loans in Idaho's Boise District for the past eight consecutive years. Founded in 1873, Zions Bank has been serving the communities of the Intermountain West for 135 years. Additional information is available at www.zionsbank.com.

This news release was distributed by GlobeNewswire, www.globenewswire.com

CONTACT: Zions First National Bank
         Rob Brough, Executive Vice President
          Marketing and Communications
         A. Scott Anderson, President/Chief Executive Officer
         (801) 844-7979

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