Chicago Bank Purchases Heritage Bank of Arizona

CHICAGO, July 1, 2003 - Chicago-based Bridgeview Bancorp, Inc. announced it has successfully closed its acquisition of Heritage Bank of Arizona, a division of the Uptown National Bank of Chicago. Bridgeview agreed to purchase Uptown in February for $56.7 million. With the acquisition complete, Heritage becomes a member of the Bridgeview Bank Group and will be known locally as Bridgeview Bank Arizona.

"We are thrilled with our acquisition of Uptown and Heritage banks," stated Peter J. Haleas, chairman of Bridgeview Bancorp, Inc. "Heritage provides us entry into one of the most dynamic community banking markets in the country. With the quality of staff and customers that we have gained in Heritage, we are extremely optimistic about the opportunities that await us in the Valley of the Sun."

Haleas announced that Kathleen Harris, who has served as regional president of Heritage since 1989, will continue in that capacity for Bridgeview Bank Group. "Bridgeview Bank prides itself on forging close ties to the communities we serve," added Haleas. "As a native of Arizona and the greater Phoenix community, Kathleen, along with her staff, will enable us to continue this tradition while we work to expand our presence in the Valley of the Sun."

"This is an exciting time for our staff, our customers and our community," stated Harris. "Bridgeview shares so many of the same values that have made Heritage such an integral part of the Phoenix and Tempe banking communities. This ensures that our legacy of competitive banking products, outstanding customer service, and involvement in the community continues."

Founded in 1971 in Bridgeview, Illinois, Bridgeview Bank Group now has 15 full-service banking facilities, offering a complete range of personal, commercial and real estate banking services, in Illinois and Arizona. The bank also operates a rural business lending operation in Atlanta, Georgia.

About Bridgeview Bancorp, Inc.
Bridgeview Bancorp, Inc. was founded in 1971 in Bridgeview, Illinois. Today, Bridgeview Bank operates full-service banking locations in Bridgeview, Lincoln Park, Lincolnshire, Oswego, Wicker Park, Woodridge and Zion-Benton. In June of 2003, Bridgeview acquired Uptown National Bank of Chicago and added an additional five full-service banking facilities in the Uptown communities of Chicago, as well as two full-service banking facilities in the Phoenix, Arizona area. The bank also operates Bridgeview Capital Solutions (BCS), a rural business lending operation, based in Atlanta, Georgia.