Michael R. Ong Joins Heritage Commerce Corp as Chief Risk Officer

SAN JOSE, Calif., Sep 2, 2008 (GlobeNewswire via COMTEX) -- HTBK | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating -- Heritage Commerce Corp (Nasdaq:HTBK), parent company of Heritage Bank of Commerce, announced today that Michael R. Ong has joined the bank as their Executive Vice President and Chief Risk Officer.

"We are delighted to add Michael Ong to our senior management team," said Walter Kaczmarek, President and Chief Executive Officer. "Mike brings a wealth of experience, having spent over 35 years in banking, with 24 of those years in San Jose. Known as a manager who develops teams and mentors high-potential employees into executive ranks, he also has a track record of success in all facets of commercial lending and credit risk management and is a result oriented banker."

In the newly created position of Chief Risk Officer, Ong will be responsible for risk control in various areas of the bank, including credit, compliance, loan services and legal.

Formerly with First Bank and Comerica Bank, Ong has extensive experience in risk control and credit management. He has served on a number of community oriented boards, including RMA (Risk Management Association), CCRC (California Community Reinvestment Corporation) and CEDLI (California Economic Development Lending Initiative). A graduate of California State University, Ong earned his Masters of Business Administration from the University of Southern California. He also completed post graduate work, earning an Executive Award Certificate at the Graduate School of Credit and Financial Management at Dartmouth College. In 2007, Ong received the award for Outstanding Leadership and Innovation in Community Economic Development by CEDLI and CARAT (California Resources and Training).

Heritage Commerce Corp, a bank holding company established in February 1998, is the parent company of Heritage Bank of Commerce, established in 1994 and headquartered in San Jose with full-service branches in Los Gatos, Fremont, Danville, Pleasanton, Walnut Creek, Morgan Hill, Gilroy, Mountain View, and Los Altos. Heritage Bank of Commerce is an SBA Preferred Lender with Loan Production Offices in Fresno, Sacramento, Oakland and Santa Rosa, California. For more information, please visit www.heritagecommercecorp.com.

Forward Looking Statement Disclaimer

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

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SOURCE: Heritage Bank of Commerce

Heritage Commerce Corp. Diana Isa, Vice-President, Marketing Director 408.494.4538

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