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                                                                      EXHIBIT 99

PRESS RELEASE
Available for immediate publication
October 2, 2000
Contact: Brad Smith, President & CEO
         Rebecca Levey, SVP/Marketing


                        HERITAGE COMMERCE CORP ANNOUNCES
                  CLOSE OF MERGER WITH WESTERN HOLDINGS BANCORP

San Jose, Monday, October 2, 2000 --- Heritage Commerce Corp announced effective
October 1, 2000, the completion of the company's merger with Western Holdings
Bancorp, the holding company for Bank of Los Altos.

Under the terms of the merger agreement, Western Holdings Bancorp shareholders
will receive 1.2264 shares of Heritage Commerce Corp common stock for each share
of Western Holdings Bancorp common stock. The merger will be accounted for as a
pooling of interests.

Based on a pro forma consolidated financial statement as of June 30, 2000,
Heritage Commerce Corp will have a total assets of approximately $814.3 million,
total shareholders' equity of approximately $60.3 million, total loans of
approximately $521.5 million and total deposits of approximately $737.2 million.

"We are very pleased that this merger has proceeded so smoothly," said Brad
Smith, Chairman & CEO of the company, "This reflects the complementary nature of
Heritage and Bank of Los Altos. Because of our similarities, we expect to make
quick progress in bringing the two organizations together."

With the addition of Bank of Los Altos, Heritage Commerce Corp now has 4
subsidiary community banks including Heritage Bank East Bay in Fremont with a
branch in Danville, Heritage Bank South Valley in Morgan Hill, and Heritage Bank
of Commerce headquartered in San Jose with a Loan Production office in Santa
Cruz. Bank of Los Altos has two locations in Los Altos and an office in Mt.
View.

"Heritage and Bank of Los Altos are committed to our clients' financial success.
During the next few months, the two banks will initiate products and services
built upon our combined expertise and innovation." Said Smith.

Heritage Commerce Corp, a bank holding company established February 17, 1998 is
listed on the NASDAQ National Market under the symbol "HTBK."



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                      FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENT DISCLAIMER

This release may contain forward-looking statements that are subject to risks
and uncertainties. Such risks and uncertainties may include but are not
necessarily limited to fluctuations in interest rates, inflation, government
regulations and general economic conditions, and competition within the business
areas in which the Company is conducting its operations, including the real
estate market in California and other factors beyond the Company's control. Such
risks and uncertainties could cause results for subsequent interim periods or
for the entire year to differ materially from those indicated. For a discussion
of factors which could cause results to differ, please see the Company's reports
on Forms 10-K and 10-Q as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and
the Company's press releases. Readers should not place undue reliance on the
forward-looking statements, which reflect management's view only as of the date
hereof. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly revise these
forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.




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