10-Q 1 p76085e10vq.htm 10-Q e10vq
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UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
     
þ   Quarterly Report Under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the Quarterly Period Ended June 30, 2008
or
     
o   Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the Transition period from                      to                     
Commission File Number: 001-32550
WESTERN ALLIANCE BANCORPORATION
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
     
Nevada   88-0365922
(State or Other Jurisdiction
of Incorporation or Organization)
  (I.R.S. Employer I.D. Number)
     
2700 W. Sahara Avenue, Las Vegas, NV   89102
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)   (Zip Code)
(702) 248-4200
(Registrant’s telephone number,
including area code)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes þ     No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
             
Large accelerated filer o   Accelerated filer þ   Non-accelerated filer o   Smaller reporting company o
        (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)    
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act)
Yes o     No þ
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
Common Stock Issued and Outstanding: 34,075,758 shares as of July 31, 2008.
 
 

 


 

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Signatures
    42  
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 EX-31.1
 EX-31.2
 EX-32

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Part I. Financial Information
ITEM I. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Western Alliance Bancorporation and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets
June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007
(Unaudited)
                 
    June 30,   December 31,
($ in thousands, except per share amounts)   2008   2007
 
Assets
               
Cash and due from banks
  $ 170,341     $ 104,650  
Federal funds sold
    10,942       10,979  
     
Cash and cash equivalents
    181,283       115,629  
     
Securities held-to-maturity (approximate fair value $94,014 and $9,530, respectively)
    94,126       9,406  
Securities available-for-sale
    398,285       486,354  
Securities measured at fair value
    129,242       240,440  
 
               
Gross loans, including net deferred loan fees
    3,874,565       3,633,009  
Less: Allowance for loan losses
    (58,688 )     (49,305 )
     
Loans, net
    3,815,877       3,583,704  
     
 
               
Premises and equipment, net
    143,472       143,421  
Other real estate owned
    6,847       3,412  
Bank owned life insurance
    89,434       88,061  
Investment in restricted stock
    41,599       27,003  
Accrued interest receivable
    18,341       22,344  
Deferred tax assets, net
    39,359       25,900  
Goodwill
    217,810       217,810  
Other intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $5,447 and $3,693, respectively
    22,925       24,370  
Other assets
    20,733       28,242  
     
Total assets
  $ 5,219,333     $ 5,016,096  
     
 
               
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
               
Liabilities
               
Noninterest bearing demand deposits
  $ 1,007,596     $ 1,007,642  
Interest bearing deposits:
               
Demand
    263,844       264,586  
Savings and money market
    1,585,351       1,558,867  
Time, $100 and over
    622,234       649,351  
Other time
    174,653       66,476  
     
 
    3,653,678       3,546,922  
Customer repurchase agreements
    185,590       275,016  
Federal Home Loan Bank advances and other borrowings
               
One year or less
    666,600       489,330  
Over one year ($30,811 and $30,768 measured at fair value, repectively)
    50,355       55,369  
Junior subordinated debt, measured at fair value
    54,326       62,240  
Subordinated debt
    60,000       60,000  
Accrued interest payable and other liabilities
    23,343       25,701  
     
Total liabilities
    4,693,892       4,514,578  
     
 
               
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 6)
               
 
               
Stockholders’ Equity
               
Preferred stock, par value $.0001; shares authorized 20,000,000; no shares issued and outstanding 2007 and 2006
           
Common stock, par value $.0001; shares authorized 100,000,000; shares issued and outstanding 2008: 34,058,669; 2007: 30,157,079
    3       3  
Additional paid-in capital
    412,899       377,973  
Retained earnings
    158,674       152,286  
Accumulated other comprehensive loss — net unrealized loss on available-for-sale securities
    (46,135 )     (28,744 )
     
Total stockholders’ equity
    525,441       501,518  
     
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
  $ 5,219,333     $ 5,016,096  
     
See Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

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Western Alliance Bancorporation and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Income
Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2008 and 2007
(Unaudited)
                                 
    Three Months Ended   Six Months Ended
    June 30,   June 30,
($ in thousands, except per share amounts)   2008   2007   2008   2007
 
Interest income on:
                               
Loans, including fees
  $ 62,817     $ 67,193     $ 128,521     $ 126,213  
Securities — taxable
    8,074       8,044       17,644       14,939  
Securities — nontaxable
    328       230       685       288  
Dividends — taxable
    829       412       1,456       832  
Dividends — nontaxable
    558       458       977       845  
Federal funds sold and other
    80       509       195       1,042  
     
Total interest income
    72,686       76,846       149,478       144,159  
     
Interest expense on:
                               
Deposits
    17,208       25,832       36,722       47,705  
Short-term borrowings
    5,174       2,677       12,754       5,066  
Long-term borrowings
    695       639       1,410       1,155  
Junior subordinated debt and subordinated debt
    1,607       1,872       3,728       3,551  
     
Total interest expense
    24,684       31,020       54,614       57,477  
     
Net interest income
    48,002       45,826       94,864       86,682  
Provision for loan losses
    13,152       2,012       21,211       2,453  
     
Net interest income after provision for loan losses
    34,850       43,814       73,653       84,229  
     
Other income:
                               
Trust and investment advisory services
    2,734       2,137       5,531       4,242  
Service charges
    1,411       1,167       2,838       2,236  
Income from bank owned life insurance
    573       960       1,373       1,888  
Other
    2,234       1,755       5,628       3,242  
     
Noninterest income, excluding securities and fair value gains (losses)
    6,952       6,019       15,370       11,608  
     
Investment securities gains (losses), net
    56             217       284  
Derivative gains
    764             807        
Securities impairment charges
                (5,280 )      
Unrealized gain/loss on assets and liabilities measured at fair value, net
    (113 )     (3,766 )     1,268       (3,779 )
     
Noninterest income
    7,659       2,253       12,382       8,113  
     
Other expense:
                               
Salaries and employee benefits
    21,517       18,821       43,451       35,854  
Occupancy
    5,179       4,872       10,207       9,111  
Advertising and other business development
    2,373       1,458       4,473       2,920  
Data processing
    1,437       628       2,206       1,063  
Legal, professional and director fees
    1,237       1,167       2,168       2,211  
Customer service
    1,113       1,897       2,313       3,220  
Intangible amortization
    915       557       1,704       814  
Insurance
    873       1,095       1,845       1,393  
Audits and exams
    637       632       1,285       1,163  
Supplies
    411       510       782       1,019  
Telephone
    384       361       785       701  
Travel and automobile
    364       269       702       556  
Correspondent and wire transfer costs
    334       457       635       875  
Merger expenses
          747             747  
Other
    2,363       803       4,519       1,548  
     
 
    39,137       34,274       77,075       63,195  
     
 
                               
Income before income taxes
    3,372       11,793       8,960       29,147  
 
                               
Minority interest
    55             120        
Income tax expense
    902       3,847       2,283       9,798  
     
 
                               
Net income
  $ 2,415     $ 7,946     $ 6,557     $ 19,349  
     
Earnings per share:
                               
Basic
  $ 0.08     $ 0.27     $ 0.22     $ 0.68  
     
Diluted
  $ 0.08     $ 0.25     $ 0.21     $ 0.63  
     
See Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

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Western Alliance Bancorporation and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Equity
Six Months Ended June 30, 2008 (Unaudited)
($ in thousands, except per share amounts)
                                                         
                            Additional             Accumulated
Other
       
    Comprehensive     Common Stock     Paid-in     Retained     Comprehensive        
Description   Income (loss)     Shares Issued     Amount     Capital     Earnings     (Loss)     Total  
 
Balance, December 31, 2007
            30,157     $ 3     $ 377,973     $ 152,286     $ (28,744 )   $ 501,518  
 
                                                       
Cumulative effect adjustment related to adoption of EITF No. 06-4
                              (169 )           (169 )
Stock options exercised
            78             644                   644  
Stock-based compensation expense
            46             4,482                   4,482  
Stock repurchases
            (20 )           (356 )                 (356 )
Stock issued in private placement
            3,798             30,156                   30,156  
Comprehensive income (loss):
                                                       
Net income
  $ 6,557                         6,557             6,557  
Other comprehensive income (loss)
                                                       
Unrealized holding losses on securities available-for-sale arising during the period, net of taxes of $11,245
    (20,823 )                                                
Less reclassification adjustment for impairment losses included in net income, net of taxes of $1,848
    3,432                                                  
 
                                                     
Net unrealized holding losses
    (17,391 )                             (17,391 )     (17,391 )
 
                                                     
 
  $ (10,834 )                                                
 
                                                     
 
                                                       
             
Balance, June 30, 2008
            34,059     $ 3     $ 412,899     $ 158,674     $ (46,135 )   $ 525,441  
             
See Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

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Western Alliance Bancorporation and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Six Months Ended June 30, 2008 and 2007 (Unaudited)
                 
($ in thousands)   2008   2007
 
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
               
Net income
  $ 6,557     $ 19,349  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
               
Provision for loan losses
    21,211       2,453  
Securities impairment charges
    5,280        
Change in fair value of assets and liabilities measured at fair value
    (1,268 )     3,779  
Depreciation and amortization
    6,426       4,990  
Decrease in accrued interest receivable and other assets
    1,351       4,309  
Decrease in accrued interest payable and other liabilities
    (3,141 )     (9,434 )
Other, net
    7,422       (4,609 )
     
Net cash provided by operating activities
    43,838       20,837  
     
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
               
Proceeds from maturities of securities
    63,829       44,160  
Purchases of securities
    (104,250 )     (205,519 )
Proceeds from the sale of securities
    114,409       73,100  
Net cash received in settlement of acquisition
          46,029  
Net increase in loans made to customers
    (253,385 )     (95,768 )
Purchase of premises and equipment
    (4,763 )     (19,359 )
Proceeds from sale of premises and equipment
    20       3,041  
(Purchases) liquidations of restricted stock
    (14,149 )     1,625  
Other, net
    74        
     
Net cash (used in) investing activities
    (198,215 )     (152,691 )
     
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
               
Stock issued in private placement
    30,156        
Net increase in deposits
    106,756       13,161  
Net proceeds from borrowings
    82,786       47,167  
Proceeds from exercise of stock options and stock warrants
    644       2,565  
Stock repurchases
    (356 )      
Other, net
    45        
     
Net cash provided by financing activities
    220,031       62,893  
     
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
    65,654       (68,961 )
Cash and Cash Equivalents, beginning of period
    115,629       264,880  
     
Cash and Cash Equivalents, end of period
  $ 181,283     $ 195,919  
     
 
               
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information
               
Cash payments for interest
  $ 63,878     $ 56,673  
Cash payments for income taxes
  $ 4,569     $ 12,410  
Supplemental Disclosure of Noncash Investing and Financing Activities
               
Stock issued in connection with acquisition
  $     $ 91,304  
Transfers of loans to other real estate owned
  $ 6,847     $  
See Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

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Western Alliance Bancorporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
Note 1. Nature of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
Nature of business
Western Alliance Bancorporation is a bank holding company providing a full range of banking services to commercial and consumer clientele through its wholly owned subsidiaries: Bank of Nevada and First Independent Bank of Nevada, operating in Nevada; Alliance Bank of Arizona, operating in Arizona; Torrey Pines Bank and Alta Alliance Bank, operating in California; Miller/Russell & Associates, Inc., operating in Nevada, Arizona and Southern California; Premier Trust, Inc., operating in Nevada and Arizona and Shine Investment Advisory Services, Inc., operating in Colorado. These entities are collectively referred to herein as the Company. The accounting and reporting policies of the Company conform to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and general industry practices.
Use of estimates in the preparation of financial statements
The preparation of financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant changes in the near term relate to the determination of the allowance for loan losses; fair value of collateralized debt obligations (CDOs), synthetic CDOs and related embedded derivatives; classification of impaired securities as other-than-temporary; and impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets.
Principles of consolidation
With the exception of certain trust subsidiaries which do not meet the criteria for consolidation pursuant to Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Interpretation No. 46 (FIN 46), Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities, the consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries, Bank of Nevada and its subsidiary BW Real Estate, Inc., Alliance Bank of Arizona, Torrey Pines Bank, Alta Alliance Bank, First Independent Bank of Nevada (collectively referred to herein as the Banks), Miller/Russell & Associates, Inc., Premier Trust, Inc., and Shine Investment Advisory Services, Inc. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Interim financial information
The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements as of June 30, 2008 and 2007 have been prepared in condensed format, and therefore do not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. These statements have been prepared on a basis that is substantially consistent with the accounting principles applied to our consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.

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Western Alliance Bancorporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
The information furnished in these interim statements reflects all adjustments which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair statement of the results for each respective period presented. Such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. The results of operations in the interim statements are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for any other quarter or for the full year. The interim financial information should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited financial statements.
Repurchase program
For the six months ended June 30, 2008, the Company repurchased 20,000 shares of common stock on the open market with a weighted average price of $17.75 per share. The Company has the remaining authority to repurchase shares with an aggregate purchase price of $30.6 million under a share repurchase program authorized by the Board of Directors through December 31, 2008. All repurchased shares are retired as soon as is practicable after settlement.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In September 2007, the FASB ratified the consensus of the Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) Issue No. 06-4, Accounting for Deferred Compensation and Postretirement Benefit Aspects of Endorsement Split-Dollar Life Insurance Arrangement. EITF 06-4 applies to endorsement split dollar life insurance policies that provide a benefit to an employee that extends to postretirement periods and requires an employer to recognize a liability for future benefits over the service period based on the substantive agreement with the employee. EITF 06-4 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2007, with early adoption permitted. The adoption of EITF 06-4 resulted in a cumulative effect adjustment of $0.2 million, effective January 1, 2008.
In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141R, Business Combinations (SFAS 141R), and SFAS No. 160, Non-controlling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements, an amendment of ARB No. 51 (SFAS 160). These new standards significantly change the accounting for and reporting of business combination transactions and non-controlling interests (previously referred to as minority interests) in consolidated financial statements. These statements are effective for the Company beginning on January 1, 2009. The Company does not expect SFAS 141R and SFAS 160 to have a material impact on the financial statements. These standards will change the Company’s accounting treatment for business combinations on a prospective basis.
In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161, Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133 (SFAS 161). SFAS 161 amends and expands the disclosure requirements of FASB Statement No. 133, requiring enhanced disclosures about (a) how and why the Company uses derivative instruments, (b) how derivative instruments and related hedge items are accounted for under FASB Statement No. 133 and its related interpretations, and (c) how derivative instruments and related hedged items affect the Company’s financial position, results of operations, and cash flows. SFAS 161 is effective January 1, 2009 on a prospective basis, with comparative disclosures of earlier periods encouraged upon initial adoption.
In June 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position No. EITF 03-6-1, Determining Whether Instruments Granted in Share-Based Payment Transactions Are Participating Securities, or FSP No. EITF 03-6-1. FSP No. EITF 03-6-1 addresses whether instruments granted in share-based payment transactions are participating securities prior to vesting and, therefore, need to be included in the earnings allocation in

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Western Alliance Bancorporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
computing earnings per share, or EPS, under the two-class method described in paragraphs 60 and 61 of FASB Statement No. 128, Earnings per Share, or SFAS 128. The guidance in this FSP applies to the calculation of EPS under SFAS 128 for share-based payment awards with rights to dividends or dividend equivalents. FSP No. EITF 03-6-1 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008, and interim periods within those years. All prior-period EPS data presented should be adjusted retrospectively to conform with the provisions of this FSP. Early application is not permitted. The implementation of this standard will not have an impact on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.
Derivative Financial Instruments
All derivatives are recognized on the balance sheet at their fair value, with changes in fair value reported in current-period earnings. These instruments consist primarily of interest rate swaps.
Note 2. Fair Value Accounting
For the three and six months ended June 30, 2008, gains and losses from fair value changes included in the Consolidated Statement of Income were as follows (in thousands):
                                 
    Changes in Fair Values for the Three and Six Month  
    Periods Ended June 30, 2008 for Items Measured at Fair  
    Value Pursuant to Election of the Fair Value Option  
                            Total  
    Unrealized             Interest     Changes in  
    Gain/Loss on             Expense on     Fair Values  
    Assets and             Junior     Included in  
    Liabilities     Interest     Subordinated     Current-  
    Measured at     Income on     Debt and     Period  
Description   Fair Value, Net     Securities     Borrowings     Earnings  
(Three months ended June 30, 2008)
                               
Securities measured at fair value
  $ (2,455 )   $ 218     $     $ (2,237 )
Junior subordinated debt
    1,695             85       1,780  
Fixed-rate term borrowings
    647                   647  
 
                       
 
  $ (113 )   $ 218     $ 85     $ 190  
 
                       
 
                               
(Six months ended June 30, 2008)
                               
Securities measured at fair value
  $ (6,532 )   $ 555     $     $ (5,977 )
Junior subordinated debt
    7,843             155       7,998  
Fixed-rate term borrowings
    (43 )                 (43 )
 
                       
 
  $ 1,268     $ 555     $ 155     $ 1,978  
 
                       
The difference between the aggregate fair value of $54.3 million and the aggregate unpaid principal balance of $66.5 million of junior subordinated debt was $12.2 million at June 30, 2008.
The difference between the aggregate fair value of $30.8 million and the aggregate unpaid principal balance of $30.0 million of fixed-rate term borrowings measured at fair value was $0.8 million at June 30, 2008.
Interest income on securities measured at fair value is accounted for similarly to those classified as available-for-sale and held-to-maturity. As of January 1, 2007, a discount or premium was calculated for

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Western Alliance Bancorporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
each security based upon the difference between the par value and the fair value at that date. These premiums and discounts are recognized in interest income over the term of the securities. For mortgage-backed securities, estimates of prepayments are considered in the constant yield calculations. Interest expense on junior subordinated debt is also determined under a constant yield calculation.
Fair value on a recurring basis
The Company measures certain assets and liabilities at fair value on a recurring basis, including securities available-for-sale, securities measured at market value and junior subordinated debt. The fair value of these assets and liabilities were determined using the following inputs at June 30, 2008 (in thousands):
                                 
            Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using:
            Quoted Prices        
            in Active   Significant    
            Markets for   Other   Significant
            Identical   Observable   Unobservable
            Assets   Inputs   Inputs
Description   June 30, 2008   (Level 1)   (Level 2)   (Level 3)
 
Assets:
                               
Securities available-for-sale
  $ 398,285     $ 48,848     $ 338,524     $ 10,913  
Securities measured at fair value
    129,242             129,242        
Interest rate swaps
    2,330             2,330        
     
Total
  $ 529,857     $ 48,848     $ 470,096     $ 10,913  
     
 
                               
Liabilities:
                               
Fixed-rate term borrowings
  $ 30,811     $     $ 30,811     $  
Junior subordinated debt
    54,326                   54,326  
Interest rate swaps
    1,685             1,685        
     
Total
  $ 86,822     $     $ 32,496     $ 54,326  
     

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Western Alliance Bancorporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
Fair Value Measurements Using
Significant Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3)
                         
    Securities Available-   Securities Measured   Junior Subordinated
    For-Sale   at Fair Value   Debt
     
Beginning balance January 1, 2008
  $ 115,921     $ 2,787     $ (62,240 )
Total gains (losses) (realized/unrealized)
                       
Included in earnings
    (5,280 )     (2,787 )     7,914  
Included in other comprehensive income
    (17,229 )            
Purchases, issuances, and settlements, net
                 
Transfers to held-to-maturity
    (82,499 )            
Transfers in and/or out of Level 3
                 
     
Ending balance June 30, 2008
  $ 10,913     $     $ (54,326 )
     
 
                       
The amount of total gains (losses) for the period included in earnings attributable to the change in unrealized gains (losses) relating to assets and liabilities still held at the reporting date
  $ (5,280 )   $ (2,787 )   $ 7,914  
     
Fair value on a nonrecurring basis
Certain assets are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis; that is, the instruments are not measured at fair value on an ongoing basis, but are subject to fair value adjustments in certain circumstances (for example, when there is evidence of impairment). The following table presents such assets carried on the balance sheet by caption and by level within the SFAS 157 hierarchy as of June 30, 2008.
                                 
    Fair Value Measurements Using
            Quoted Prices        
            in Active   Significant Other   Significant
            Markets for   Observable   Unobservable
            Identical Assets   Inputs   Inputs
    Total   (Level 1)   (Level 2)   (Level 3)
     
Impaired loans with specific valuation allowance under SFAS 114
  $ 46,300     $     $     $ 46,300  
The specific reserves for collateral dependent impaired loans are based on the fair value of the collateral less estimated costs to sell. The fair value of collateral was determined based on appraisals. In some cases, adjustments were made to the appraised values due to various factors including age of the appraisal, age of comparables included in the appraisal, and known changes in the market and in the collateral. When significant adjustments were based on unobservable inputs, the resulting fair value measurement has been categorized as a Level 3 measurement. These Level 3 impaired loans had an aggregate carrying amount of $59.1 million and specific reserves in the allowance for loan losses of $12.8 million as of June 30, 2008.
Note 3. Earnings Per Share
Diluted earnings per share is based on the weighted average outstanding common shares during each period, including common stock equivalents. Basic earnings per share is based on the weighted average outstanding common shares during the period.

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Western Alliance Bancorporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
Basic and diluted earnings per share, based on the weighted average outstanding shares, are summarized as follows:
                                 
    Three Months Ended   Six Months Ended
    June 30,   June 30,
    2008   2007   2008   2007
    (in thousands, except per share amounts)
Basic:
                               
Net income applicable to common stock
  $ 2,415     $ 7,946     $ 6,557     $ 19,349  
Average common shares outstanding
    29,759       29,666       29,948       28,308  
     
Earnings per share
  $ 0.08     $ 0.27     $ 0.22     $ 0.68  
     
 
                               
Diluted:
                               
Net income applicable to common stock
  $ 2,415     $ 7,946     $ 6,557     $ 19,349  
     
 
                               
Average common shares outstanding
    29,759       29,666       29,948       28,308  
Stock option adjustment
    71       1,091       253       1,113  
Stock warrant adjustment
    381       959       475       976  
Restricted stock adjustment
          119             112  
     
Average common equivalent shares outstanding
    30,211       31,835       30,676       30,509  
     
Earnings per share
  $ 0.08     $ 0.25     $ 0.21     $ 0.63  
     
As of June 30, 2008, approximately 2.4 million stock options and 132,000 stock warrants were considered anti-dilutive and excluded for purposes of calculating diluted earnings per share because they were out of the money.
Note 4. Securities
Carrying amounts and fair values of investment securities at June 30, 2008 are summarized as follows (in thousands):

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Western Alliance Bancorporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
                                 
    June 30, 2008  
            Gross     Gross        
    Amortized     Unrealized     Unrealized     Fair  
    Cost     Gains     (Losses)     Value  
     
Securities held-to-maturity
                               
Debt obligations and structured securities
  $ 85,986     $ 1,118     $ (1,371 )   $ 85,733  
Municipal obligations
    6,640       141             6,781  
Other
    1,500                   1,500  
     
 
  $ 94,126     $ 1,259     $ (1,371 )   $ 94,014  
     
 
                               
Securities available-for-sale
                               
U.S. Treasury Securities
  $ 2,994     $ 1     $     $ 2,995  
U.S. Government-sponsored agencies
    2,500             (30 )     2,470  
Municipal obligations
    13,930       108       (43 )     13,995  
Mortgage-backed securities
    284,884       2,929       (2,443 )     285,370  
Adjustable-rate preferred stock
    105,727             (36,508 )     69,219  
Debt obligations and structured securities
    18,840             (7,889 )     10,951  
Other
    13,638             (353 )     13,285  
     
 
  $ 442,513     $ 3,038     $ (47,266 )   $ 398,285  
     
 
                               
Securities measured at fair value
                               
U.S. Government-sponsored agencies
                          $ 2,408  
Municipal obligations
                            110  
Mortgage-backed securities
                            126,724  
 
                             
 
                          $ 129,242  
 
                             
                                 
    December 31, 2007  
            Gross     Gross        
    Amortized     Unrealized     Unrealized     Fair  
    Cost     Gains     (Losses)     Value  
     
Securities held-to-maturity
                               
Municipal obligations
  $ 7,906     $ 124     $     $ 8,030  
Other
    1,500                   1,500  
     
 
  $ 9,406     $ 124     $     $ 9,530  
     
 
                               
Securities available-for-sale
                               
U.S. Government-sponsored agencies
  $ 14,971     $ 128     $ (20 )   $ 15,079  
Municipal obligations
    14,143       88       (36 )     14,195  
Mortgage-backed securities
    273,368       2,429       (1,507 )     274,290  
Adjustable-rate preferred stock
    51,506             (21,796 )     29,710  
Debt obligations and structured securities
    162,855             (23,515 )     139,340  
Other
    13,890             (150 )     13,740  
     
 
  $ 530,733     $ 2,645     $ (47,024 )   $ 486,354  
     
 
                               
Securities measured at fair value
                               
U.S. Government-sponsored agencies
                          $ 9,049  
Municipal obligations
                            110  
Mortgage-backed securities
                            228,494  
Debt obligations and structured securities
                            2,787  
 
                             
 
                          $ 240,440  
 
                             

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Western Alliance Bancorporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
As of May 31, 2008, the Company transferred its trust preferred CDO portfolio from available-for-sale to held-to-maturity. The par value and fair value of these securities at the date of transfer were $121.4 million and $85.7 million, respectively. The unrealized losses of $35.7 million on the securities transferred to held-to-maturity remain included in other comprehensive loss and continue to be subject to the other-than-temporary impairment consideration rules of SFAS No. 115, Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities.
Net unrealized losses, net of taxes, increased $17.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2008 to $46.1 million from $28.7 million at December 31, 2007. The increase in unrealized losses is generally due to widening interest spreads which began in the third quarter of 2007. During March 2008 and thereafter, the near insolvency of Bear Stearns and other financial businesses caused the debt of almost all financial companies to decline in value. This compounded the lack of liquidity for such securities that existed since late 2007. The Company is actively monitoring these portfolios for declines in fair value that are considered other-than-temporary. These combined unrealized losses were not considered as other-than-temporary as of June 30, 2008.
During the six months ended June 30, 2008, the Company recorded impairment charges totaling $5.3 million, including $2.2 million related to a security which suffered a significant downgrade and $3.1 million related to an auction-rate leveraged security that was discussed in the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.
Note 5. Loans
The components of the Company’s loan portfolio as of June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007 are as follows (in thousands):
                 
    June 30,   December 31,
    2008   2007
     
Construction and land development
  $ 831,731     $ 806,110  
Commercial real estate
    1,624,520       1,514,533  
Residential real estate
    535,973       492,551  
Commercial and industrial
    836,962       784,378  
Consumer
    54,044       43,517  
Less: net deferred loan fees
    (8,665 )     (8,080 )
     
 
    3,874,565       3,633,009  
 
               
Less:
               
Allowance for loan losses
    (58,688 )     (49,305 )
     
 
  $ 3,815,877     $ 3,583,704  
     
Changes in the allowance for loan losses for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007 are as follows (in thousands):

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Western Alliance Bancorporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
                                 
    Three Months Ended   Six Months Ended
    June 30,   June 30,
    2008   2007   2008   2007
     
Balance, beginning
  $ 50,839     $ 37,519     $ 49,305     $ 33,551  
Acquisitions
          83             3,789  
Provision charged to operating expense
    13,152       2,012       21,211       2,453  
Recoveries of amounts charged off
    196       92       299       171  
Less amounts charged off
    (5,499 )     (2,760 )     (12,127 )     (3,018 )
     
Balance, ending
  $ 58,688     $ 36,946     $ 58,688     $ 36,946  
     
Information about impaired and nonaccrual loans as of June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007 is as follows:
                 
    June 30,   December 31,
    2008   2007
     
Total impaired loans, all with a specific reserve
  $ 59,139     $ 35,114  
     
 
               
Related allowance for loan losses on impaired loans
  $ 12,839     $ 6,597  
     
 
               
Total nonaccrual loans
  $ 44,416     $ 17,873  
     
 
               
Loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing
  $ 3,597     $ 779  
     
 
               
Restructured loans
  $ 5,494     $ 3,782  
     
Note 6. Borrowed funds
The Company has a line of credit available from the Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB). Borrowing capacity is determined based on collateral pledged, generally consisting of securities and loans, at the time of the borrowing. The Company also has borrowings from other sources pledged by securities. A summary of the Company’s borrowings as of June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007 follows (in thousands):
                 
    June 30,   December 31,
    2008   2007
     
Short Term
               
FHLB Advances (weighted average rate for 2008 is: 2.19% and 2007: 3.30%)
  $ 646,600     $ 447,600  
Other short term debt (weighted average rate for 2008 is: 5.73% and 2007: 4.17%)
    20,000       41,730  
     
Due in one year or less
  $ 666,600     $ 489,330  
     
Long Term
               
FHLB Advances (weighted average rate is 2008: 4.77% and 2007: 4.63%)
  $ 40,811     $ 45,768  
Other long term debt (weighted average rate is 8.79%)
    9,544       9,601  
     
Due in over one year
  $ 50,355     $ 55,369  
     

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Western Alliance Bancorporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
Note 7. Tax Matters
The reasons for the differences between the statutory federal income tax rate and the effective tax rate are summarized as follows:
                                 
    Three Months Ended   Six Months Ended
    June 30,   June 30,   June 30,   June 30,
    2008   2007   2008   2007
     
Computed “expected” tax expense
  $ 1,138     $ 4,127     $ 3,094     $ 10,201  
Increase (decrease) resulting from:
                               
State income taxes, net of federal benefits
    124       100       194       279  
Dividends received deductions
    (195 )     (224 )     (342 )     (282 )
Bank-owned life insurance
    (201 )     (336 )     (481 )     (661 )
Tax-exempt income
    (113 )     (34 )     (238 )     (50 )
Nondeductible expenses
    74       29       159       113  
Other
    75       185       (103 )     198  
     
 
  $ 902     $ 3,847     $ 2,283     $ 9,798  
     
Note 8. Contingencies
In the normal course of business, the Company is involved in various legal proceedings. In the opinion of management, any liability resulting from such proceedings would not have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial statements.
Financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk
A summary of the contract amount of the Company’s exposure to off-balance sheet risk is as follows:
                 
    June 30,   December 31,
    2008   2007
    (in thousands)
Commitments to extend credit, including unsecured loan commitments of $234,179 in 2008 and $230,677 in 2007
  $ 1,086,144     $ 1,193,522  
Credit card commitments and guarantees
    32,528       26,507  
Standby letters of credit, including unsecured letters of credit of $11,330 in 2008 and $14,543 in 2007
    62,670       80,790  
     
 
  $ 1,181,342     $ 1,300,819  
     
During the period ended June 30, 2008, the Company entered into an agreement with the Federal Reserve Bank in which certain loans and securities may be pledged as collateral on a borrowing line at up to 75% of the collateral value.
Note 9. Stock-based Compensation
For the six months ended June 30, 2008, 423,625 stock options with a weighted average exercise price of $15.90 per share, were granted to certain key employees and directors. The Company estimates the fair value of each option award on the date of grant using a Black-Scholes valuation model. The weighted

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Western Alliance Bancorporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
average grant date fair value of these options was $5.07 per share. These stock options generally have a vesting period of four years and a contractual life of seven years.
As of June 30, 2008, there were 2.6 million options outstanding, compared with 2.5 million at June 30, 2007.
For the three and six months ended June 30, 2008, the Company recognized stock-based compensation expense related to all options of $0.5 million and $1.0 million, respectively, as compared to $0.4 million and $0.8 million, respectively, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2007.
For the three and six months ended June 30, 2008, 24,500 and 51,650 shares of restricted stock were issued, respectively. The Company estimates the compensation cost for restricted stock grants based upon the grant date fair value. Generally, these restricted stock grants have a three year vesting period. The estimated grant date fair value of these restricted stock grants was $0.6 million.
There were approximately 595,000 and 427,000 restricted shares outstanding at June 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2008, the Company recognized stock-based compensation of $1.7 million and $3.4 million, respectively, compared to $0.9 million and $1.8 million, respectively, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2007 related to the Company’s restricted stock plan.
Note 10. Segment Information
SFAS No. 131, Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information (“SFAS 131”), provides for the identification of reportable segments on the basis of discreet business units and their financial information to the extent such units are reviewed by an entity’s chief decision maker (which can be an individual or group of management persons).
The Company adjusted its segment reporting composition in the current period in accordance with SFAS 131. The Company’s reporting segments were modified to more accurately reflect the way the Company manages and assesses the performance of the business. The segments were changed to report the banking operations on a state-by-state basis rather than on a per bank basis, as was done in the past, and the Company also created new segments to report the asset management and credit card operations. Previously, the asset management operations were included in “Other” and the credit card operations were included in “Torrey Pines Bank.”
The new structure is segmented as “Nevada” (Bank of Nevada and First Independent Bank of Nevada), “Arizona” (Alliance Bank of Arizona), “California” (Torrey Pines Bank and Alta Alliance Bank), “Asset Management” (Miller/Russell, Premier Trust and Shine), “Credit Card Services” (PartnersFirst) and “Other” (Western Alliance Bancorporation holding company and miscellaneous). Prior period balances were restated to reflect the change.
Transactions between segments consist primarily of borrowings and loan participations. Federal funds purchases and sales and other borrowed funds transactions result in profits that are eliminated for reporting consolidated results of operations. Loan participations are recorded at par value with no resulting gain or loss. The Company allocates centrally provided services to the operating segments based upon estimated usage of those services.
The following is a summary of selected operating segment information as of and for the periods ended June 30, 2008 and 2007:

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Western Alliance Bancorporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

Operating Segment Results
Unaudited
                                                                 
                                                    Inter-    
                                                    segment   Consoli-
                            Asset   Credit Card           Elimi-   dated
    Nevada   California   Arizona   Management   Services   Other   nations   Company
 
($ in thousands)
                                                               
At June 30, 2008:
                                                               
Assets
  $ 3,668,728     $ 863,031     $ 796,993     $ 18,386     $ 20,578     $ 16,489     $ (164,872 )   $ 5,219,333  
Gross loans and deferred fees
    2,619,691       664,706       618,083             15,085             (43,000 )     3,874,565  
Less: Allowance for loan losses
    (42,577 )     (7,403 )     (8,246 )           (462 )                 (58,688 )
     
Net loans
    2,577,114       657,303       609,837             14,623             (43,000 )     3,815,877  
     
Deposits
    2,388,193       622,761       656,855                         (14,131 )     3,653,678  
Stockholders’ equity
    426,309       67,954       54,143       16,685             (39,650 )           525,441  
 
                                                               
Number of branches
    21       9       11                               41  
Number of full-time equivalent employees
    598       152       141       44       28       37             1,000  
 
                                                               
(in thousands)
                                                               
Three Months Ended June 30, 2008:
                                                               
Net interest income
  $ 32,525     $ 9,287     $ 7,345     $ 16     $ 15     $ (1,186 )   $     $ 48,002  
Provision for loan losses
    10,674       1,464       760             254                   13,152  
     
Net interest income after provision for loan losses
    21,851       7,823       6,585       16       (239 )     (1,186 )           34,850  
Gain (loss) on sale of securities
    (16 )           72                               56  
Mark-to-market gains (losses)
    (145 )     (261 )     (639 )                 1,696             651  
Noninterest income, excluding securities and fair value gains (losses)
    2,614       496       1,487       2,720       147       361       (873 )     6,952  
Noninterest expense
    (19,606 )     (6,410 )     (6,169 )     (2,164 )     (2,901 )     (2,760 )     873       (39,137 )
     
Income (loss) before income taxes
    4,698       1,648       1,336       572       (2,993 )     (1,889 )           3,372  
Minority interest
                      55                         55  
Income tax expense (benefit)
    1,363       690       506       226       (1,245 )     (638 )           902  
     
Net income (loss)
  $ 3,335     $ 958     $ 830     $ 291     $ (1,748 )   $ (1,251 )   $     $ 2,415  
     
 
                                                               
(in thousands)
                                                               
Six Months Ended June 30, 2008:
                                                               
Net interest income
  $ 65,037     $ 17,807     $ 14,641     $ 45     $ (66 )   $ (2,600 )   $     $ 94,864  
Provision for loan losses
    17,247       2,017       1,485             462                   21,211  
     
Net interest income after provision for loan losses
    47,790       15,790       13,156       45       (528 )     (2,600 )           73,653  
Gain (loss) on sale of securities
    (13 )           230                                 217  
Mark-to-market gains (losses)
    (9,932 )     (383 )     (805 )                 7,915             (3,205 )
Noninterest income, excluding securities and fair value gains (losses)
    6,189       1,015       3,381       5,526       302       364       (1,407 )     15,370  
Noninterest expense
    (38,850 )     (12,795 )     (12,633 )     (4,852 )     (4,909 )     (4,443 )     1,407       (77,075 )
     
Income (loss) before income taxes
    5,184       3,627       3,329       719       (5,135 )     1,236             8,960  
Minority interest
                      120                         120  
Income tax expense (benefit)
    973       1,514       1,213       294       (2,133 )     422             2,283  
     
Net income (loss)
  $ 4,211     $ 2,113     $ 2,116     $ 305     $ (3,002 )   $ 814     $     $ 6,557  
     

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Western Alliance Bancorporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

Operating Segment Results (continued)
Unaudited
                                                         
                                            Inter-    
                                            segment   Consoli-
                            Asset           Elimi-   dated
    Nevada   California   Arizona   Management   Other   nations   Company
 
($ in thousands)
                                                       
At June 30, 2007:
                                                       
Assets
  $ 3,461,076     $ 682,212     $ 755,919     $ 9,180     $ 10,542     $ (172,103 )   $ 4,746,826  
Gross loans and deferred fees
    2,427,166       457,518       524,256                   (20,000 )     3,388,940  
Less: Allowance for loan losses
    (25,910 )     (4,759 )     (6,277 )                       (36,946 )
     
Net loans
    2,401,256       452,759       517,979                   (20,000 )     3,351,994  
     
Deposits
    2,585,591       572,347       662,022                   (4,113 )     3,815,847  
Stockholders’ equity
    477,907       64,544       53,620       8,497       (85,117 )           519,451  
 
                                                       
Number of branches
    17       8       10                         35  
Number of full-time equivalent employees
    642       147       145       36       30             1,000  
 
                                                       
(in thousands)
                                                       
Three Months Ended June 30, 2007:
                                                       
Net interest income
  $ 33,448     $ 6,649     $ 7,279     $ 18     $ (1,568 )   $     $ 45,826  
Provision for loan losses
    1,318       149       545                         2,012  
     
Net interest income after provision for loan losses
    32,130       6,500       6,734       18       (1,568 )           43,814  
Gain (loss) on sale of securities
                                         
Mark-to-market gains (losses)
    (2,907 )     (419 )     (440 )                       (3,766 )
Noninterest income, excluding securities and fair value gains (losses)
    3,221       543       611       2,136             (492 )     6,019  
Noninterest expense
    (19,603 )     (5,862 )     (5,842 )     (1,792 )     (1,667 )     492       (34,274 )
     
Income (loss) before income taxes
    12,841       762       1,063       362       (3,235 )           11,793  
Income tax expense (benefit)
    4,073       376       398       159       (1,159 )           3,847  
     
Net income (loss)
  $ 8,768     $ 386     $ 665     $ 203     $ (2,076 )   $     $ 7,946  
     
 
                                                       
(in thousands)
                                                       
Six Months Ended June 30, 2007:
                                                       
Net interest income
  $ 62,414     $ 12,884     $ 13,973     $ 31     $ (2,620 )   $     $ 86,682  
Provision for loan losses
    1,605       303       545                         2,453  
     
Net interest income after provision for loan losses
    60,809       12,581       13,428       31       (2,620 )           84,229  
Gain (loss) on sale of securities
    (5 )                         289             284  
Mark-to-market gains (losses)
    (2,921 )     (418 )     (440 )                       (3,779 )
Noninterest income, excluding securities and fair value gains (losses)
    6,162       1,071       1,142       4,275       (289 )     (753 )     11,608  
Noninterest expense
    (34,656 )     (11,509 )     (11,241 )     (3,534 )     (3,008 )     753       (63,195 )
     
Income (loss) before income taxes
    29,389       1,725       2,889       772       (5,628 )           29,147  
Income tax expense (benefit)
    9,582       745       1,109       336       (1,974 )           9,798  
     
Net income (loss)
  $ 19,807     $ 980     $ 1,780     $ 436     $ (3,654 )   $     $ 19,349  
     

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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007 and our unaudited consolidated financial statements and related footnotes in the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Unless the context requires otherwise, the terms “Company”, “us”, “we”, and “our” refer to Western Alliance Bancorporation on a consolidated basis.
Forward-Looking Information
Certain statements contained in this document, including, without limitation, statements containing the words “believes”, “anticipates”, “intends”, “expects”, “should” and words of similar import, constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Act of 1934. Such forward looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others, the following: general economic and business conditions in those areas in which we operate, demographic changes, competition, fluctuations in interest rates, changes in business strategy or development plans, changes in governmental regulation, credit quality, the availability of capital to fund the expansion of our business, and other factors referenced in this Report. Except as required by law, we disclaim any obligation to update any such factors or to publicly announce the results of any revisions to any of the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect future events or developments.
Overview
During the second quarter of 2008, our earnings continue to be challenged by difficult economic conditions in our primary markets and the economic downturn generally, causing heavy reserves to our loan portfolio and losses in our securities portfolio. We continue to explore and invest in new and expanded business lines and products, including cash management services, credit cards, wealth management and equipment leasing, and we believe the current economic climate presents our Company with the opportunity to differentiate ourselves from our competitors. Loan growth for the quarter ended June 30, 2008 was $151.9 million, or 4.1%, as compared to growth of $52.9 million, or 1.6% for the same period in 2007. Deposit growth was $23.4 million, including $60.0 million of brokered deposits, or 0.6%, for the three months ended June 30, 2008, compared to growth of $33.3 million, or 0.9% for the same period in 2007. We reported net income of $2.4 million, or $0.08 per diluted share, for the quarter ended June 30, 2008, as compared to $7.9 million, or $0.25 per diluted share, for the same period in 2007. The decrease in earnings is primarily due to an increase of $4.9 million in noninterest expenses related to expansion efforts and an $11.1 million increase in the provision for loan losses related to higher historical losses, changes in size and mix of the loan portfolio and increases in specific reserves on impaired loans. Noninterest income, excluding changes in fair value of financial instruments measured at fair value, for the quarter ended June 30, 2008 increased 15.5% from the same period in the prior year due to increases in trust and investment advisory fees, service charges and other revenue. Noninterest expense for the quarter ended June 30, 2008 increased 14.3% from the same period in 2007, due primarily to increases in salaries and benefits and occupancy costs caused by the acquisitions of Shine Investment Advisory Services in 2007, the establishment of the PartnersFirst affinity credit card initiative in 2007 and continued branch expansion during 2007. Branch expansion is expected to be nominal through the remainder of 2008.
Selected financial highlights are presented in the table below.

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Western Alliance Bancorporation and Subsidiaries
Summary Consolidated Financial Data
Unaudited
                                                 
    At or for the three months     For the six months  
    ended June 30,     ended June 30,  
    2008     2007     Change %     2008     2007     Change %  
Selected Balance Sheet Data:
                                               
($ in millions)
                                               
Total assets
  $ 5,219.3     $ 4,746.8       10.0 %                        
Gross loans, including net deferred fees
    3,874.6       3,388.9       14.3                          
Securities
    621.7       685.6       (9.3 )                        
Federal funds sold
    10.9       73.0       (85.1 )                        
Deposits
    3,653.7       3,815.8       (4.2 )                        
Customer repurchase agreements
    185.6       195.7       (5.2 )                        
Borrowings
    717.0       90.8       689.6                          
Junior subordinated and subordinated debt
    114.3       110.2       3.7                          
Stockholders’ equity
    525.4       519.5       1.1                          
 
                                               
Selected Income Statement Data:
                                               
($ in thousands)
                                               
Interest income
  $ 72,686     $ 76,846       (5.4 )%   $ 149,478     $ 144,159       3.7 %
Interest expense
    24,684       31,020       (20.4 )     54,614       57,477       (5.0 )
 
                                       
Net interest income
    48,002       45,826       4.7       94,864       86,682       9.4  
Provision for loan losses
    13,152       2,012       553.7       21,211       2,453       764.7  
 
                                       
Net interest income after provision for loan losses
    34,850       43,814       (20.5 )     73,653       84,229       (12.6 )
Gain (loss) on sale of securities
    56           NA       217       284       (23.6 )
Mark-to-market gains (losses)
    651       (3,766 )     (117.3 )     (3,205 )     (3,779 )     (15.2 )
Noninterest income, excluding securities and fair value gains (losses)
    6,952       6,019       15.5       15,370       11,608       32.4  
Noninterest expense
    39,137       34,274       14.2       77,075       63,195       22.0  
 
                                       
Income before income taxes
    3,372       11,793       (71.4 )     8,960       29,147       (69.3 )
Minority interest
    55           NA       120           NA  
Income tax expense
    902       3,847       (76.6 )     2,283       9,798       (76.7 )
 
                                       
Net Income
  $ 2,415     $ 7,946       (69.6 )   $ 6,557     $ 19,349       (66.1 )
 
                                       
Memo: Intangible asset amortization expense, net of tax
  $ 595     $ 557       6.8     $ 1,108     $ 814       36.1  
 
                                       

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Western Alliance Bancorporation and Subsidiaries
Summary Consolidated Financial Data (Continued)
Unaudited
                                                 
    At or for the three months   For the six months
    ended June 30,   ended June 30,
    2008   2007   Change %   2008   2007   Change %
Common Share Data:
                                               
Diluted net income per share
    0.08       0.25       (68.0 )     0.21       0.63       (66.7 )
Book value per share
    15.43       17.24       (10.5 )                        
Tangible book value per share, net of tax (3)
    8.59       9.73       (11.7 )                        
Average shares outstanding (in thousands):
                                               
Basic
    29,759       29,666       0.3       29,948       28,308       5.8  
Diluted
    30,211       31,835       (5.1 )     30,676       30,509       0.5  
Common shares outstanding
    34,059       30,128       13.0                          
 
                                               
Selected Performance Ratios:
                                               
Return on average assets (6)
    0.19 %     0.68 %     (72.1 )%     0.26 %     0.89 %     (70.8 )%
Return on average tangible assets (4)(6)
    0.20       0.71       (71.8 )     0.27       0.93       (71.0 )
Return on average stockholders’ equity (6)
    1.95       6.15       (68.3 )     2.64       8.37       (68.5 )
Return on average tangible stockholders’ equity (5)(6)
    3.79       10.84       (65.0 )     5.07       13.75       (63.1 )
Net interest margin (1)(6)
    4.25       4.52       (6.0 )     4.22       4.55       (7.3 )
Net interest spread (6)
    3.73       3.42       9.1       3.63       3.41       6.5  
Efficiency ratio — tax equivalent basis (2)
    70.68       64.23       10.0       69.43       63.16       9.9  
Loan to deposit ratio
    106.05       88.81       19.4                          
 
                                               
Capital Ratios:
                                               
Tangible Common Equity
    5.7 %     6.3 %     (9.5 )%                        
Tier 1 Leverage ratio
    7.9       8.2       (3.7 )                        
Tier 1 Risk Based Capital
    8.4       8.9       (5.6 )                        
Total Risk Based Capital
    11.0       10.7       2.8                          
 
                                               
Asset Quality Ratios:
                                               
Net charge-offs to average loans outstanding (6)
    0.55 %     0.31 %     77.4 %     0.63 %     0.18 %     250.0 %
Nonaccrual loans to gross loans
    1.15       0.02       5,650.0                          
Nonaccrual loans and OREO to total assets
    0.98       0.02       4,800.0                          
Loans past due 90 days and still accruing to total loans
    0.09       0.19       (52.6 )                        
Allowance for loan losses to gross loans
    1.51       1.09       39.0                          
Allowance for loan losses to nonaccrual loans
    132.13 %     5152.86 %     (97.4 )                        
 
(1)   Net interest margin represents net interest income as a percentage of average interest-earning assets.
 
(2)   Efficiency ratio represents noninterest expenses as a percentage of the total of net interest income plus noninterest income (tax equivalent basis).
 
(3)   Tangible book value per share (net of tax) represents stockholders’ equity less intangibles, adjusted for deferred taxes related to intangibles, as a percentage of the shares outstanding at the end of the period.
 
(4)   Return on average tangible assets represents net income as a percentage of average total assets less average intangible assets.
 
(5)   Return on average tangible stockholders’ equity represents net income as a percentage of average total stockholders’ equity less average intangible assets.
 
(6)   Annualized
Primary Factors in Evaluating Financial Condition and Results of Operations
As a bank holding company, we focus on several factors in evaluating our financial condition and results of operations, including:
    Return on Average Equity (ROE) and Return on Tangible Average Equity (ROTE);
 
    Return on Average Assets (ROA) and Return on Average Tangible Assets (ROTA);
 
    Asset Quality;
 
    Asset and Deposit Growth; and

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    Operating Efficiency.
Return on Average Equity. Our net income for the three months ended June 30, 2008 decreased 69.6% to $2.4 million compared to $7.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2007. The decrease in net income was due primarily to an $11.1 million increase to the provision for loan losses caused by challenging economic conditions in our primary markets, partially offset by a $6.3 million decrease in interest expense due to lower costs of funds. Basic earnings per share decreased to $0.08 per share for the three months ended June 30, 2008 compared to $0.27 per share for the same period in 2007. Stockholders’ equity increased $31.5 million from the quarter ended March 31, 2008 due primarily to a private placement of 3.8 million shares of common stock totaling $30.2 million. Diluted earnings per share was $0.08 per share for the three month period ended June 30, 2008, compared to $0.25 per share for the same period in 2007. The decrease in net income and the increase in equity resulted in an ROE of 1.95% for the three months ended June 30, 2008 compared to 6.15% for the three months ended June 30, 2007. ROTE decreased 65.0% to 3.79% for the three months ended June 30, 2008.
Our net income for the six months ended June 30, 2008 decreased 66.1% to $6.6 million compared to $19.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2007. Basic earnings per share decreased to $0.22 per share for the six months ended June 30, 2008 compared to $0.68 per share for the same period in 2007. Diluted earnings per share was $0.21 per share for the six month period ended June 30, 2008, compared to $0.63 per share for the same period in 2007. The decrease in net income combined with the increase in equity resulted in an ROE and ROTE of 2.64% and 5.07%, respectively, for the six months ended June 30, 2008 compared to 8.37% and 13.75%, respectively, for the six months ended June 30, 2007.
Return on Average Assets. Our ROA for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008 decreased to 0.19% and 0.26%, respectively, compared to 0.68% and 0.89%, respectively, for the same periods in 2007. The ROTA for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008 decreased to 0.20% and 0.27%, respectively, compared to 0.71% and 0.93%, respectively, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2007. The decreases in ROA and ROTA are primarily due to the decreases in net income as discussed above.
Asset Quality. For all banks and bank holding companies, asset quality plays a significant role in the overall financial condition of the institution and results of operations. We measure asset quality in terms of nonaccrual and restructured loans and assets as a percentage of gross loans and assets, and net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans. Net charge-offs are calculated as the difference between charged-off loans and recovery payments received on previously charged-off loans. As of June 30, 2008, impaired loans, including nonaccrual loans, were $59.1 million compared to $8.0 million at June 30, 2007. Nonaccrual loans as a percentage of gross loans were 1.15% as of June 30, 2008, compared to less than 0.02% as of June 30, 2007. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2008, net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans were 0.55% and 0.63%, respectively. For the same periods in 2007, net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans were 0.31% and 0.18%.
Asset Growth. The ability to produce loans and generate deposits is fundamental to our asset growth. Our assets and liabilities are comprised primarily of loans and deposits, respectively. Total assets increased 10.0% to $5.22 billion as of June 30, 2008 from $4.75 billion as of June 30, 2007. Gross loans grew 14.3% to $3.87 billion as of June 30, 2008 from $3.39 billion as of June 30, 2007. Total deposits decreased 4.2% to $3.65 billion as of June 30, 2008 from $3.82 billion as of June 30, 2007.

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Operating Efficiency. Operating efficiency is measured in terms of how efficiently income before income taxes is generated as a percentage of revenue. Our tax-equivalent efficiency ratio (noninterest expenses divided by the sum of net interest income and noninterest income, tax adjusted) was 70.68% for the three months ended June 30, 2008, compared to 64.23% for the same period in 2007. Our tax-equivalent efficiency ratios for the six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007 were 69.43% and 63.16%, respectively. The increase was primarily driven by increases in salaries and benefits and occupancy costs associated with the acquisitions of First Independent Bank of Nevada and Shine Investment Advisory Services in 2007, the establishment of the PartnersFirst affinity credit card initiative in 2007 and continued branch expansion during 2007.
Critical Accounting Policies
The Notes to Audited Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2007 contain a summary of our significant accounting policies, including discussions on recently issued accounting pronouncements, our adoption of them and the related impact of their adoption. We believe that certain of these policies, along with various estimates that we are required to make in recording our financial transactions, are important to have a complete picture of our financial position. In addition, these estimates require us to make complex and subjective judgments, many of which include matters with a high degree of uncertainty. The discussion of these critical accounting policies and significant estimates can be found in Note 1 of the Audited Consolidated Financial Statements filed with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Results of Operations
Our results of operations depend substantially on net interest income, which is the difference between interest income on interest-earning assets, consisting primarily of loans receivable, securities and other short-term investments, and interest expense on interest-bearing liabilities, consisting primarily of deposits and borrowings. Our results of operations are also dependent upon our generation of noninterest income, consisting primarily of income from trust and investment advisory services and banking service fees. Other factors contributing to our results of operations include our provisions for loan losses, gains or losses on sales of securities and income taxes, as well as the level of our noninterest expenses, such as compensation and benefits, occupancy and equipment and other miscellaneous operating expenses.

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The following table sets forth a summary financial overview for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007:
                                                 
    Three Months Ended           Six Months Ended    
    June 30,           June 30,    
    2008   2007   Increase   2008   2007   Increase
    (in thousands, except per share amounts)  
Consolidated Statement of Earnings Data:
                                               
Interest income
  $ 72,686     $ 76,846     $ (4,160 )   $ 149,478     $ 144,159     $ 5,319  
Interest expense
    24,684       31,020       (6,336 )     54,614       57,477       (2,863 )
     
Net interest income
    48,002       45,826       2,176       94,864       86,682       8,182  
Provision for loan losses
    13,152       2,012       11,140       21,211       2,453       18,758  
     
Net interest income after provision for loan losses
    34,850       43,814       (8,964 )     73,653       84,229       (10,576 )
Gain (loss) on sale of securities
    56             56       217       284       (67 )
Mark-to-market gains (losses)
    651       (3,766 )     4,417       (3,205 )     (3,779 )     574  
Noninterest income, excluding securities and fair value gains (losses)
    6,952       6,019       933       15,370       11,608       3,762  
Noninterest expense
    39,137       34,274       4,863       77,075       63,195       13,880  
     
Net income before income taxes
    (3,580 )     5,774       (9,354 )     (6,410 )     17,539       (23,949 )
Minority interest
    55             55       120             120  
Income tax expense
    902       3,847       (2,945 )     2,283       9,798       (7,515 )
         
Net income
  $ (4,537 )   $ 1,927     $ (6,464 )   $ (8,813 )   $ 7,741     $ (16,554 )
         
Diluted earnings per share
  $ 0.08     $ 0.25     $ (0.17 )   $ 0.21     $ 0.63     $ (0.42 )
         
The 69.6% decrease in net income for the three months ended June 30, 2008 compared to the same period in 2007 was attributable primarily to an $11.1 million increase to the provision for loan losses caused by challenging economic conditions in our primary markets, partially offset by a $6.3 million decrease in interest expense due to lower costs of funds. Net income for the six months ended June 30, 2008 and June 30, 2007 decreased $12.8 million from $19.3 million, which is due to the above mentioned items as well.
Net Interest Income and Net Interest Margin. The 4.7% increase in net interest income for the three months ended June 30, 2008 compared to the same period in 2007 was due to a decrease in interest expense of $6.3 million in excess of the $4.2 million decrease in interest income.
Net interest income for the six months ended June 30, 2008 increased 9.4% over the same period in 2007 due to an increase in interest income of $5.3 million, reflecting the effect of an increase of $689.0 million in average interest-bearing assets which was funded primarily with an increase of $159.3 million in average deposits and $684.9 million in average short-term borrowings and due to a decrease in interest expense of $2.9 million, reflecting the effect of a 1.13% decrease in average costs of funds.
The average yield on our interest-earning assets was 6.41% and 6.63% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008, respectively, compared to 7.56% and 7.54% for the same periods in 2007. The decrease in the yield on our interest-earning assets is primarily a result of a decrease in market rates, repricing on our adjustable rate loans, and new loans originated with lower interest rates due to the lower interest rate environment.

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The cost of our average interest-bearing liabilities decreased to 2.68% and 3.00% in the three and six months ended June 30, 2008, respectively, from 4.14% and 4.13% in the three and six months ended June 30, 2007, respectively, which is a result of lower rates paid on deposit accounts and borrowings due to a lower interest rate environment.
Average Balances and Average Interest Rates. The tables below set forth balance sheet items on a daily average basis for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007 and present the daily average interest rates earned on assets and the daily average interest rates paid on liabilities for such periods. Nonaccrual loans have been included in the average loan balances. Securities include securities available-for-sale, securities held-to-maturity and securities carried at market value pursuant to SFAS 159 elections. Yields on tax-exempt securities and loans are computed on a tax equivalent basis.

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    Three Months Ended June 30,  
    2008     2007  
                    Average                     Average  
    Average             Yield/Cost     Average             Yield/Cost  
($ in thousands)   Balance     Interest     (6)     Balance     Interest     (6)  
Earning Assets
                                               
Securities:
                                               
Taxable
  $ 611,134     $ 8,281       5.45 %   $ 589,735     $ 8,251       5.61 %
         
Tax-exempt (1)
    78,910       886       6.95 %     52,315       688       8.00 %
Total securities
    690,044       9,167       5.62 %     642,050       8,939       5.81 %
Federal funds sold and other
    14,279       80       2.25 %     36,034       509       5.67 %
Loans (1) (2) (3)
    3,840,060       62,817       6.58 %     3,402,596       67,193       7.92 %
Investment in restricted stock
    42,757       622       5.85 %     16,986       205       4.84 %
         
Total earnings assets
    4,587,140       72,686       6.41 %     4,097,666       76,846       7.56 %
Non-earning Assets
                                               
Cash and due from banks
    104,619                       104,976                  
Allowance for loan losses
    (53,535 )                     (37,792 )                
Bank-owned life insurance
    89,108                       85,566                  
Other assets
    473,269                       405,603                  
Total assets
  $ 5,200,601                     $ 4,656,019                  
 
                                           
Interest Bearing Liabilities
                                               
Sources of Funds
                                               
Interest-bearing deposits:
                                               
Interest checking
    264,458       967       1.47 %     269,838       1,663       2.47 %
Savings and money market
    1,584,594       8,790       2.23 %     1,646,757       15,715       3.83 %
Time deposits
    788,845       7,451       3.80 %     692,653       8,454       4.90 %
         
Total interest-bearing deposits
    2,637,897       17,208       2.62 %     2,609,248       25,832       3.97 %
Short-term borrowings
    895,181       5,174       2.32 %     241,415       2,677       4.45 %
Long-term debt
    51,004       695       5.48 %     47,786       639       5.36 %
Junior sub. and subordinated debt
    116,003       1,607       5.57 %     110,301       1,872       6.81 %
         
Total interest-bearing liabilities
    3,700,085       24,684       2.68 %     3,008,750       31,020       4.14 %
Noninterest-Bearing Liabilities
                                               
Noninterest-bearing demand deposits
    976,066                       1,106,755                  
Other liabilities
    26,936                       22,284                  
Stockholders’ equity
    497,514                       518,230                  
 
                                           
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
  $ 5,200,601                     $ 4,656,019                  
 
                                           
Net interest income and margin (4)
          $ 48,002       4.25 %           $ 45,826       4.52 %
 
                                           
Net interest spread (5)
                    3.73 %                     3.42 %
 
(1)   Yields on loans and securities have been adjusted to a tax equivalent basis.
 
(2)   Net loan fees of $1.5 million and $1.7 million are included in the yield computation for June 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
 
(3)   Includes average nonaccrual loans of $27,084 in 2008 and $1,503 in 2007.
 
(4)   Net interest margin is computed by dividing net interest income by total average earning assets.
 
(5)   Net interest spread represents average yield earned on interest-earning assets less the average rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities.
 
(6)   Annualized.

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    Six Months Ended June 30,  
    2008     2007  
                    Average                     Average  
    Average             Yield/Cost     Average             Yield/Cost  
($ in thousands)   Balance     Interest     (6)     Balance     Interest     (6)  
Earning Assets
                                               
Securities:
                                               
Taxable
  $ 643,227     $ 17,995       5.63 %   $ 554,778     $ 15,290       5.56 %
Tax-exempt (1)
    77,213       1,662       6.66 %     45,126       1,133       7.69 %
         
Total securities
    720,440       19,657       5.74 %     599,904       16,423       5.72 %
Federal funds sold and other
    15,502       195       2.53 %     37,891       1,042       5.55 %
Loans (1) (2) (3)
    3,782,127       128,521       6.83 %     3,215,937       126,213       7.91 %
Investment in restricted stock
    41,791       1,105       5.32 %     17,155       481       5.65 %
         
Total earnings assets
    4,559,860       149,478       6.63 %     3,870,887       144,159       7.54 %
Non-earning Assets
                                               
Cash and due from banks
    102,969                       102,066                  
Allowance for loan losses
    (52,081 )                     (35,704 )                
Bank-owned life insurance
    88,737                       83,985                  
Other assets
    462,940                       347,939                  
 
                                           
Total assets
  $ 5,162,425                     $ 4,369,173                  
 
                                           
Interest Bearing Liabilities
                                               
Sources of Funds
                                               
Interest-bearing deposits:
                                               
Interest checking
    264,017       2,231       1.70 %     260,082       3,275       2.54 %
Savings and money market
    1,580,276       19,431       2.47 %     1,516,035       28,660       3.81 %
Time deposits
    744,252       15,060       4.07 %     653,088       15,770       4.87 %
         
Total interest-bearing deposits
    2,588,545       36,722       2.85 %     2,429,205       47,705       3.96 %
Short-term borrowings
    905,850       12,754       2.83 %     225,029       5,066       4.54 %
Long-term debt
    51,650       1,410       5.49 %     47,537       1,155       4.90 %
Junior sub. and subordinated debt
    119,085       3,728       6.30 %     106,197       3,551       6.74 %
         
Total interest-bearing liabilities
    3,665,130       54,614       3.00 %     2,807,968       57,477       4.13 %
Noninterest Bearing Liabilities
                                               
Noninterest-bearing demand deposits
    970,966                       1,072,149                  
Other liabilities
    23,495                       22,635                  
Stockholders’ equity
    502,834                       466,421                  
 
                                           
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
  $ 5,162,425                     $ 4,369,173                  
 
                                           
Net interest income and margin (4)
          $ 94,864       4.22 %           $ 86,682       4.55 %
 
                                           
Net interest spread (5)
                    3.63 %                     3.41 %
 
(1)   Yields on loans and securities have been adjusted to a tax equivalent basis.
 
(2)   Net loan fees of $2.9 million are included in the yield computation for June 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
 
(3)   Includes average nonaccrual loans of $24,013 in 2008 and $1,321 in 2007.
 
(4)   Net interest margin is computed by dividing net interest income by total average earning assets.
 
(5)   Net interest spread represents average yield earned on interest-earning assets less the average rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities.
 
(6)   Annualized.

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Net Interest Income. The table below demonstrates the relative impact on net interest income of changes in the volume of earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities and changes in rates earned and paid by us on such assets and liabilities. For purposes of this table, nonaccrual loans have been included in the average loan balances.
                                                 
    Three Months Ended June 30,   Six Months Ended June 30,
    2008 v. 2007   2008 v. 2007
    Increase (Decrease)   Increase (Decrease)
    Due to Changes in (1)(2)   Due to Changes in (1)(2)
    Volume   Rate   Total   Volume   Rate   Total
    (in thousands)
Interest on securities:
                                               
Taxable
  $ 290     $ (260 )   $ 30     $ 2,474     $ 231     $ 2,705  
Tax-exempt
    299       (101 )     198       691       (162 )     529  
Federal funds sold
    (122 )     (307 )     (429 )     (282 )     (565 )     (847 )
Loans
    7,156       (11,532 )     (4,376 )     19,240       (16,932 )     2,308  
Other investment
    375       42       417       651       (27 )     624  
         
 
                                               
Total interest income
    7,998       (12,158 )     (4,160 )     22,774       (17,455 )     5,319  
 
                                               
Interest expense:
                                               
Interest checking
    (20 )     (676 )     (696 )     33       (1,077 )     (1,044 )
Savings and Money market
    (345 )     (6,580 )     (6,925 )     790       (10,019 )     (9,229 )
Time deposits
    909       (1,912 )     (1,003 )     1,845       (2,555 )     (710 )
Short-term borrowings
    3,779       (1,282 )     2,497       9,586       (1,898 )     7,688  
Long-term debt
    44       12       56       112       143       255  
Junior subordinated debt
    79       (344 )     (265 )     403       (226 )     177  
         
 
                                               
Total interest expense
    4,446       (10,782 )     (6,336 )     12,769       (15,632 )     (2,863 )
         
 
                                               
Net increase
  $ 3,552     $ (1,376 )   $ 2,176     $ 10,005     $ (1,823 )   $ 8,182  
         
 
(1)   Changes due to both volume and rate have been allocated to volume changes.
 
(2)   Changes due to mark-to-market gains/(losses) under SFAS 159 have been allocated to volume changes.
Provision for Loan Losses. The provision for loan losses in each period is reflected as a charge against earnings in that period. The provision is equal to the amount required to maintain the allowance for loan losses at a level that, in our judgment, is adequate to absorb probable loan losses inherent in the loan portfolio.

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Our provision for loan losses was $13.2 million and $21.2 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008, respectively, compared to $2.0 million and $2.5 million for the same periods in 2007. Factors that impact the provision for loan losses are net charge-offs or recoveries, changes in the size and mix of the loan portfolio, the recognition of changes in current risk factors and specific reserves on impaired loans.
Noninterest Income. We earn noninterest income primarily through fees related to:
    Trust and investment advisory services,
 
    Services provided to deposit customers, and
 
    Services provided to current and potential loan customers.
The following tables present, for the periods indicated, the major categories of noninterest income:
                                                 
    Three Months Ended   Six Months Ended
    June 30,   Increase   June 30,   Increase
    2008   2007   (Decrease)   2008   2007   (Decrease)
    (in thousands)
Trust and investment advisory services
  $ 2,734     $ 2,137     $ 597     $ 5,531     $ 4,242     $ 1,289  
Service charges
    1,411       1,167       244       2,838       2,236       602  
Income from bank owned life insurance
    573       960       (387 )     1,373       1,888       (515 )
Other
    2,234       1,755       479       5,628       3,242       2,386  
         
Non-interest income, excluding securities and fair value gains (losses)
  $ 6,952     $ 6,019     $ 933     $ 15,370     $ 11,608     $ 3,762  
         
The $0.9 million and $3.8 million, or 15.5% and 32.4%, respectively, increases in noninterest income excluding net investment securities gains and net unrealized gain/loss on assets and liabilities measured at fair value, from the three and six months ended June 30, 2007 to the same periods in 2008 was due to increases in investment advisory revenues, increases in service-related charges and other revenue.
Assets under management at Miller/Russell and Associates were $1.31 billion at June 30, 2008, down 17.1% from $1.58 billion at June 30, 2007. At Premier Trust, assets under management increased 26.6% from $259 million to $328 million from June 30, 2007 to June 30, 2008. On July 31, 2007, we acquired a majority interest in Shine Investment Advisory Services. Assets under management were $410 million as of the acquisition date and $403 million on June 30, 2008. This growth resulted in 28.0% and 30.4% increases, respectively, in trust and advisory fee revenue for the three and six month periods ending June 30, 2008, as compared to the three and six month periods ending June 30, 2007.
Service charges increased 20.9% and 26.9% or $0.2 million and $0.6 million, respectively, from the three and six months ended June 30, 2007 to the same periods in 2008 due to higher deposit balances and the growth in our customer base.

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Other income increased 27.3% and 73.6% from the three and six months ended June 30, 2007 to the same periods in 2008 due primarily to the growth of the company and its operations, as well as non-recurring income amounts of approximately $1.1 million, including a gain on the sale of a foreclosed property of approximately $0.4 million.
Unrealized gains/losses on assets and liabilities measured at fair value. During the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2008, we recognized net unrealized losses of $0.1 million and net unrealized gains of $1.3 million, respectively, on assets and liabilities measured at fair value. These gains and losses are primarily the result of losses caused by changes in market yields on securities similar to those in our portfolio, offset by a gain on our trust preferred liabilities due to a widening of interest rate spreads. We view the majority of these gains and losses as temporary in nature since the changes in value on most of our financial instruments were not related to a change in credit profile, but rather such gains and losses were the result of fluctuations in market yields.
Noninterest Expense. The following table presents, for the periods indicated, the major categories of noninterest expense:
                                                 
    Three Months Ended           Six Months Ended    
    June 30,   Increase   June 30,   Increase
    2008   2007   (Decrease)   2008   2007   (Decrease)
    (in thousands)
Salaries and employee benefits
  $ 21,517     $ 18,821     $ 2,696     $ 43,451     $ 35,854     $ 7,597  
Occupancy
    5,179       4,872       307       10,207       9,111       1,096  
Advertising and other business development
    2,373       1,458       915       4,473       2,920       1,553  
Data processing
    1,437       628       809       2,206       1,063       1,143  
Legal, professional and director fees
    1,237       1,167       70       2,168       2,211       (43 )
Customer service
    1,113       1,897       (784 )     2,313       3,220       (907 )
Intangible amortization
    915       557       358       1,704       814       890  
Insurance
    873       1,095       (222 )     1,845       1,393       452  
Audits and exams
    637       632       5       1,285       1,163       122  
Supplies
    411       510       (99 )     782       1,019       (237 )
Telephone
    384       361       23       785       701       84  
Travel and automobile
    364       269       95       702       556       146  
Correspondent and wire transfer costs
    334       457       (123 )     635       875       (240 )
Merger expenses
          747       (747 )           747       (747 )
Other
    2,363       803       1,560       4,519       1,548       2,971  
         
 
  $ 39,137     $ 34,274     $ 4,863     $ 77,075     $ 63,195     $ 13,880  
         
Noninterest expense grew $4.9 million and $13.9 million, respectively, from the three and six months ended June 30, 2007 to the same periods in 2008. These increases are attributable to our overall growth, and specifically to merger and acquisition activity and the opening of new branches. At June 30, 2008 and at June 30, 2007, we had 1,000 full-time equivalent employees.
Intangible amortization increased $0.4 million and $0.9 million, respectively, from the three months and six months ended June 30, 2007 to the same periods in 2008 as a result of decreases in the estimated amortizable lives of the core deposit intangibles acquired through prior acquisitions.

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Other noninterest expense increased, in general, as a result of the growth in assets and operations of our banking subsidiaries, including the acquisitions of First Independent and Shine.
Financial Condition
Total Assets
On a consolidated basis, our total assets as of June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007 were $5.22 billion and $5.02 billion, respectively. Assets experienced growth from the period ending June 30, 2007 to the period ending June 30, 2008 of $472.5 million, or 10.0%, including loan growth of $485.6 million, or 14.3%.
Loans
Our gross loans including deferred loan fees on a consolidated basis as of June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007 were $3.87 billion and $3.63 billion, respectively. Our overall growth in loans from December 31, 2007 to June 30, 2008 is a result of targeting quality credit customers in our markets.
The following table shows the amounts of loans outstanding by type of loan at the end of each of the periods indicated.
                 
    June 30,     December 31,  
    2008     2007  
    (in thousands)  
Construction and land development
  $ 831,731     $ 806,110  
Commercial real estate
    1,624,520       1,514,533  
Residential real estate
    535,973       492,551  
Commercial and industrial
    836,962       784,378  
Consumer
    54,044       43,517  
Net deferred loan fees
    (8,665 )     (8,080 )
 
           
 
               
Gross loans, net of deferred fees
    3,874,565       3,633,009  
Less: Allowance for loan losses
    (58,688 )     (49,305 )
 
           
 
               
 
  $ 3,815,877     $ 3,583,704  
 
           
Non-Performing Assets
Non-performing assets include loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing interest, nonaccrual loans, and other real estate owned, or OREO. In general, loans are placed on nonaccrual status when we determine timely recognition of interest to be in doubt due to the borrower’s financial condition and collection efforts. Restructured loans have modified terms to reduce either principal or interest due to deterioration in the borrower’s financial condition. OREO results from loans where we have received physical possession of the borrower’s assets that collateralized the loan.

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Impaired loans are loans for which it is probable that the Company will not be able to collect all amounts due according to the original contractual terms of the loan agreement. Other impaired loans include certain loans for which the original terms have been extended or modified, but which are well collateralized and for which no loss is expected.
The following table summarizes the loans for which the accrual of interest has been discontinued, loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing interest, restructured loans, other impaired loans and OREO.
                 
    June 30,     December 31,  
    2008     2007  
    ($ in thousands)  
Total nonaccrual loans
  $ 44,416     $ 17,873  
Loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing
    3,597       779  
 
           
Total nonperforming loans
    48,013       18,652  
 
               
Restructured loans
    5,494       3,782  
Impaired loans acquired through merger
    767       2,760  
Other impaired loans, excluding restructured loans
    4,865       9,920  
 
           
Total impaired loans, including nonperforming loans
  $ 59,139     $ 35,114  
 
           
 
               
Other real estate owned (OREO)
  $ 6,847     $ 3,412  
Nonaccrual loans to gross loans
    1.15 %     0.49 %
Loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing to total loans
    0.09       0.02  
Interest income received on nonaccrual loans
  $ 247     $ 30  
Interest income that would have been recorded under the original terms of the loans
  $ 417     $ 765  
As of June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, nonaccrual loans totaled $44.4 million and $17.9 million, respectively. Nonaccrual loans at June 30, 2008 consisted of 63 loans.
Allowance for Loan Losses
Like all financial institutions, we must maintain an adequate allowance for loan losses. The allowance for loan losses is established through a provision for loan losses charged to expense. Loans are charged against the allowance for loan losses when we believe that collectibility of the principal is unlikely. Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance. The allowance is an amount that we believe will be adequate to absorb probable losses on existing loans that may become uncollectible, based on evaluation of the collectibility of loans and prior credit loss experience, together with the other factors noted earlier.
Our allowance for loan loss methodology incorporates several quantitative and qualitative risk factors used to establish the appropriate allowance for loan loss at each reporting date. Quantitative factors include our historical loss experience, peer group experience, delinquency and charge-off trends, collateral values, changes in non-performing loans, other factors, and information about individual loans including the borrower’s sensitivity to interest rate movements. Qualitative factors include the economic condition of our operating markets and the

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state of certain industries. Specific changes in the risk factors are based on perceived risk of similar groups of loans classified by collateral type, purpose and terms. Statistics on local trends, peers, and an internal five-year loss history are also incorporated into the allowance. Due to the credit concentration of our loan portfolio in real estate secured loans, the value of collateral is heavily dependent on real estate values in Nevada, Arizona and California. While management uses the best information available to make its evaluation, future adjustments to the allowance may be necessary if there are significant changes in economic or other conditions. In addition, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, or FDIC, and state banking regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination processes, periodically review the Banks’ allowance for loan losses, and may require us to make additions to the allowance based on their judgment about information available to them at the time of their examinations. Management periodically reviews the assumptions and formulae used in determining the allowance and makes adjustments if required to reflect the current risk profile of the portfolio.
The allowance consists of specific and general components. The specific allowance relates to impaired loans. For such loans that are classified as impaired, an allowance is established when the discounted cash flows (or collateral value or observable market price) of the impaired loan are lower than the carrying value of that loan, pursuant to SFAS 114, Accounting by Creditors for Impairment of a Loan. The general allowance covers non-impaired loans and is based on historical loss experience adjusted for the various qualitative and quantitative factors listed above, pursuant to SFAS 5, Accounting for Contingencies.

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The following table summarizes the activity in our allowance for loan losses for the period indicated.
                                 
    Three months ended   Six months ended
    June 30,   June 30,
    2008   2007   2008   2007
    ($ in thousands)
Allowance for loan losses:
                               
Balance at beginning of period
  $ 50,839     $ 37,519     $ 49,305     $ 33,551  
Acquisitions
          83             3,789  
Provisions charged to operating expenses
    13,152       2,012       21,211       2,453  
Recoveries of loans previously charged-off:
                               
Construction and land development
                       
Commercial real estate
                       
Residential real estate
                       
Commercial and industrial
    192       83       287       154  
Consumer
    4       9       12       17  
     
Total recoveries
    196       92       299       171  
Loans charged-off:
                               
Construction and land development
    1,082             4,405        
Commercial real estate
                182        
Residential real estate
    1,528             2,498        
Commercial and industrial
    2,705       2,727       4,789       2,818  
Consumer
    184       33       253       200  
     
Total charged-off
    5,499       2,760       12,127       3,018  
Net charge-offs
    5,303       2,668       11,828       2,847  
     
Balance at end of period
  $ 58,688     $ 36,946     $ 58,688     $ 36,946  
     
Net charge-offs to average loans outstanding
    0.55 %     0.31 %     0.63 %     0.18 %
Allowance for loan losses to gross loans
    1.51       1.09                  
Net charge-offs totaled $5.3 million and $2.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007, net charge-offs totaled $11.8 million and $2.8 million, respectively. The provision for loan losses totaled $13.2 million and $21.2 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008, respectively, compared to $2.0 million and $2.5 million for the same periods in 2007. The increase in the provision for loan losses is due to higher historical losses, changes in size and mix of the loan portfolio and increases in specific reserves on impaired loans.
Investments
Securities are identified as either held-to-maturity, available-for-sale, or measured at fair value based upon various factors, including asset/liability management strategies, liquidity and profitability objectives, and regulatory requirements. Held-to-maturity securities are carried at cost, adjusted for amortization of premiums or accretion of discounts. Available-for-sale securities are securities that may be sold prior to maturity based upon asset/liability management decisions. Securities identified as available-for-sale are carried at fair value. Unrealized gains or losses on available-for-sale securities are recorded as accumulated other comprehensive income in stockholders’ equity. Amortization of premiums or accretion of discounts on mortgage-backed securities is periodically adjusted for estimated prepayments. Securities measured at fair value are reported at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses included in current earnings.

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We use our investment securities portfolio to ensure liquidity for cash requirements, manage interest rate risk, provide a source of income and to manage asset quality. The carrying value of our investment securities as of June 30, 2008 totaled $621.7 million, compared to $736.2 million at December 31, 2007.
In 2007 and 2008 we maintained a high level of investment in mortgage-backed securities while shifting from U.S. Government agency obligations to higher yielding debt obligations (primarily collateralized debt obligations secured by bank and other financial company trust preferred liabilities) and adjustable rate preferred stock of bank and other financial companies.
The carrying value of our portfolio of investment securities at June 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007 was as follows:
                 
    Carrying Value
    At June 30,   At December 31,
    2008   2007
    (in thousands)
U.S. Treasury securities
  $ 2,995     $  
U.S. Government-sponsored agencies
    4,878       24,128  
Mortgage-backed obligations
    412,094       502,784  
State and Municipal obligations
    20,745       22,211  
Adjustable rate preferred stock
    69,219       29,710  
Debt obligations and structured securities
    96,937       142,127  
Other
    14,785       15,240  
     
Total investment securities
  $ 621,653     $ 736,200  
     
As of May 31, 2008, the Company transferred its trust preferred CDO portfolio from available-for-sale to held-to-maturity. The Company considers the held-to-maturity classification to be more appropriate because it has the ability and the intent to hold these securities to maturity. The par value and fair value of these securities at the date of transfer were $121.4 million and $85.7 million, respectively. The unrealized losses of $35.7 million on the securities transferred to held-to-maturity remain in other comprehensive loss and continue to be subject to the other-than-temporary impairment consideration rules of SFAS No. 115, Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities.
Net unrealized losses, net of taxes, increased $17.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2008 to $46.1 million from $28.7 million at December 31, 2007. The increase in unrealized losses is generally due to widening interest spreads which began in the third quarter of 2007. During March 2008, the near insolvency of Bear Stearns caused the debt of almost all financial companies to decline in value. This compounded the lack of liquidity for such securities that existed since late 2007. We are actively monitoring these portfolios for declines in fair value that are considered other-than-temporary. If current market conditions persist, we may have impairment charges against earnings next quarter for declines in securities fair values that are considered other-than-temporary.

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During the six months ended June 30, 2008, we recorded impairment charges totaling $5.3 million, including $2.2 million related to a security which suffered a significant downgrade and $3.1 million related to an auction-rate leveraged security that was discussed in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.
Goodwill
The Company recorded $217.8 million of goodwill from its merger-related activities during 2006 and 2007. In accordance with SFAS No. 141, goodwill is not amortized but rather tested for impairment annually on October 1. Impairment testing consists of comparing the fair value of the acquired reporting units with their carrying amounts, including goodwill. An impairment loss would be recorded to the extent the carrying value of the goodwill exceeds the fair value of the goodwill. At June 30, 2008, the Company’s market capitalization was less than the total shareholders’ equity, which is one factor that is considered when determining goodwill impairment. If current market conditions persist, it is possible that we will have a goodwill impairment charge against earnings in a future period.
Deposits
Deposits have historically been the primary source for funding our asset growth. As of June 30, 2008, total deposits were $3.65 billion, compared to $3.55 billion as of December 31, 2007. Our deposits related to customer relationships increased approximately $47 million, and we acquired third party brokered certificates of deposit totaling approximately $60 million. We do not anticipate utilizing brokered deposits as a significant source of funding in future periods.
Although we expect deposit growth to continue to be the primary source of funding the asset growth of the Company, we anticipate augmenting our liquidity through the use of alternative sources of funding, including overnight and term advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank and Federal Reserve Bank, repurchase agreements, subordinated debt and lines of credit.

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The following table provides the average balances and weighted average rates paid on deposits for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008:
                                 
    Three months ended     Six months ended  
    June 30, 2008     June 30, 2008  
    Average Balance/Rate     Average Balance/Rate  
    ($ in thousands)  
Interest checking (NOW)
  $ 264,458       1.47 %   $ 264,017       1.70 %
Savings and money market
    1,584,594       2.23       1,580,276       2.47  
Time
    788,845       3.80       744,252       4.07  
 
                           
 
                               
Total interestbearing deposits
    2,637,897       2.62       2,588,545       2.85  
Noninterest bearing demand deposits
    976,066             970,966        
 
                           
 
                               
Total deposits
  $ 3,613,963       1.91 %   $ 3,559,511       2.08 %
 
                           
Our customer repurchases declined $89.4 million from December 31, 2007 to June 30, 2008 due primarily to the transfer of customer funds to other products offered by our banks.
Capital Resources
Current risk-based regulatory capital standards generally require banks and bank holding companies to maintain three minimum capital ratios. Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio compares “Tier 1” or “core” capital, which consists principally of common equity, and risk-weighted assets for a minimum ratio of at least 4%. Tier 1 capital ratio compares Tier 1 capital to adjusted total assets for a minimum ratio of at least 4%. Total risk-based capital ratio compares total capital, which consists of Tier 1 capital, certain forms of subordinated debt, a portion of the allowance for loan losses, and preferred stock, to risk-weighted assets for a minimum ratio of at least 8%. Risk-weighted assets are calculated by multiplying the balance in each category of assets by a risk factor, which ranges from zero for cash assets and certain government obligations to 100% for some types of loans, and adding the products together.

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The following table provides a comparison of our risk-based capital ratios and leverage ratios to the minimum regulatory requirements as of June 30, 2008.
                                                 
                    Adequately-   Minimum For
                    Capitalized   Well-Capitalized
    Actual   Requirements   Requirements
                    ($ in thousands)        
As of June 30, 2008   Amount   Ratio   Amount   Ratio   Amount   Ratio
Total Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets)
  $ 508,597       11.0     $ 370,549       8.0     $ 463,186       10.0  
 
                                               
Tier I Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets)
  $ 390,600       8.4     $ 185,274       4.0     $ 277,912       6.0  
 
                                               
Leverage ratio (to Average Assets)
  $ 390,600       7.9     $ 198,703       4.0     $ 248,378       5.0  
The Company and each of its banking subsidiaries met the “well capitalized” guidelines under regulatory requirements as of June 30, 2008. The increases in our capital ratios for the quarter ended June 30, 2008, are primarily due to a private placement of 3.8 million shares of common stock to a limited number of accredited investors. Of the shares sold, approximately 45 percent were purchased by a total of 40 directors and officers of the Company and its subsidiaries. The issue was priced after the close of business on Tuesday, June 24, 2008 at $7.94 per share for an aggregate offering price of $30.2 million.
Segment Reporting
The Company adjusted its segment reporting composition in the current period in accordance with SFAS 131. We modified our reporting segments to more accurately reflect the way we manage and assess the performance of our business. We changed our segments to report our banking operations on a state-by-state basis rather than on a per bank basis, as we had done in the past, and we also created new segments to report our asset management and credit card operations. Previously, our asset management operations were included in “Other” and our credit card operations were included in “Torrey Pines Bank.”
The new structure is segmented as “Nevada” (Bank of Nevada and First Independent Bank of Nevada), “Arizona” (Alliance Bank of Arizona), “California” (Torrey Pines Bank and Alta Alliance Bank), “Asset Management” (Miller/Russell, Premier Trust and Shine), “Credit Card Services” (PartnersFirst) and “Other” (Western Alliance Bancorporation holding company and miscellaneous). Prior period balances were restated to reflect the change.
ITEM 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Market risk is the risk of loss in a financial instrument arising from adverse changes in market prices and rates, foreign currency exchange rates, commodity prices and equity prices. Our market risk arises primarily from interest rate risk inherent in our lending, investing and deposit taking activities. To that end, management actively monitors and manages our interest rate risk exposure.
There have not been any material changes in the market risk disclosure contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.
ITEM 4. Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls
Based on their evaluation as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported in within the time periods specified in Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms, except for the following:
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There have not been any changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended June 30, 2008, which have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

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Part II. Other Information
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
There are no material pending legal proceedings, other than ordinary routine litigation incidental to its business, to which Western Alliance or any of its subsidiaries is a party or of which any of their property is the subject.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
See the discussion of our risk factors in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007, as filed with the SEC.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
(a) None.
(b) None.
(c) None.
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities
Not applicable.
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
None.
Item 5. Other Information
Not applicable.

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Item 6. Exhibits
31.1   CEO Certification Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-a4(a).
 
31.2   CFO Certification Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a).
 
32   CEO and CFO Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes – Oxley Act of 2002, as amended.

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Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
         
  WESTERN ALLIANCE BANCORPORATION





     
 
 
Date: August 11, 2008  By:   /s/ Robert Sarver    
    Robert Sarver   
    President and Chief Executive Officer   
 
       
 
 
Date: August 11, 2008  By:   /s/ Dale Gibbons    
    Dale Gibbons   
    Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer 
 
 
     
Date: August 11, 2008  By:   /s/ Tom Edington    
    Tom Edington   
    Controller
Principal Accounting Officer   
 

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EXHIBIT INDEX
31.1   CEO Certification Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a)
 
31.2   CFO Certification Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a)
 
32   CEO and CFO Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

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