MidFirst Earnings Increase 24% for the Year; Assets Grow to $14.6 Billion

January 29, 2009

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – Earnings for the year ended 2008 totaled $277.9 million, compared to $224.3 million for the same period last year. Earnings for the fourth quarter of 2008 were $64.8 million compared to $60.4 million in the same quarter of 2007. The 2008 results are unaudited.

Assets grew approximately $1.7 billion or 13% over the prior year driven primarily by growth in government-backed mortgage loans and commercial loans. MidFirst's combined regulatory capital and reserve base was approximately $1.1 billion at December 31, 2008. "MidFirst has been able to sustain its growth this year despite the challenging economy. Prudent commercial lending and conservative mortgage banking strategies have served us well in these trying times," said Jeff Lowe, MidFirst Bank Arizona president.

"We have avoided the high-risk mortgage strategies that are afflicting some financial institutions. Our primary focus in mortgage lending is in smaller home loans backed by the FHA and VA programs. Through these government programs we have been able to assist homeowners without exposing our bank to the dangerous credit risks that are making headlines. As the financial markets continue to struggle, we are confident that the strength of our balance sheet, and the diversity of our operating strategies will help sustain the bank's performance," Lowe continued.

"While we are pleased with the bank's financial results for this year, we recognize that we are operating in volatile and uncertain financial markets, and we remain vigilant in managing our credit risk and maintaining our loan loss reserves at appropriate levels. Despite the significant uncertainty within the economy, however, we remain committed to our continued expansion plans in Oklahoma and Arizona, and think now is the time to be investing in the future of the bank," Lowe further continued.

MidFirst is the second largest privately owned bank in the United States and the largest privately owned bank in Arizona. MidFirst has four banking centers open in the Valley with 12 more banking centers scheduled to open in 2009. MidFirst has more than 1,600 employees and over 100 in Arizona. MidFirst has offices in Phoenix, Oklahoma City, Tulsa, New York, Chicago, Houston, Atlanta and Southern California.