COLORADO BUSINESS BANKSHARES INC
424B1, 1998-06-18
NATIONAL COMMERCIAL BANKS
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<PAGE>
                                               Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1)
                                                     Registration No. 333-50037

                   
                SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED JUNE 11, 1998     
 
                                1,400,000 SHARES

                 [LOGO OF COLORADO BUSINESS BANKSHARES, INC.]

                                  COMMON STOCK
   
  All of the shares of Common Stock offered hereby are offered by Colorado
Business Bankshares, Inc. Prior to the Offering, there was no public market
for the Common Stock. See "Underwriting" for a discussion of the factors
considered in determining the initial public offering price. The Common Stock
has been approved for quotation on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol
"COBZ."     
 
  Up to 90,000 shares of the Common Stock offered hereby have been reserved
for sale to certain directors, executive officers and key employees of the
Company who have expressed an interest in purchasing shares of Common Stock in
the Offering, including Steven Bangert, the Company's Chairman of the Board
and Chief Executive Officer, and Howard R. Ross, a director of the Company.
 
                               ----------------
 
        THE COMMON STOCK OFFERED HEREBY INVOLVES A HIGH DEGREE OF RISK.
                         SEE "RISK FACTORS" AT PAGE 7.
 
                               ----------------
 
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS
A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                                      UNDERWRITING
                                          PRICE TO    DISCOUNTS AND  PROCEEDS TO
                                           PUBLIC    COMMISSIONS (1) COMPANY (2)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                      <C>         <C>             <C>
Per Share..............................    $12.00         $0.84        $11.16
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total (3)..............................  $16,800,000   $1,154,400    $15,645,600
</TABLE>    
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   
(1) The Company has agreed to indemnify the Underwriter against certain
    liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as
    amended, and to pay certain other compensation to the Underwriter. The
    Underwriter has agreed with the Company that the Underwriting Discounts
    and Commissions will be reduced to $0.60 per share for up to 90,000 shares
    reserved for sale to directors, executive officers and key employees. See
    "Underwriting."     
(2) Before deducting offering expenses payable by the Company estimated at
    $480,000. See "Use of Proceeds."
   
(3) The Company has granted to the Underwriter an option, exercisable within
    30 days after the date of this Prospectus, to purchase up to 210,000
    additional shares of Common Stock solely to cover over-allotments, if any.
    If the Underwriter exercises this option in full, the total Price to
    Public, Underwriting Discounts and Commissions and Proceeds to Company
    will be $19,320,000, $1,330,800 and $17,989,200, respectively. See
    "Underwriting."     
 
                               ----------------
   
  The shares of Common Stock are being offered by the Underwriter, when, as
and if delivered to and accepted by the Underwriter, subject to prior sale and
to certain other conditions. It is expected that delivery of the shares of
Common Stock will be made on or about June 23, 1998.     
 
                             DAIN RAUSCHER WESSELS
                   A DIVISION OF DAIN RAUSCHER INCORPORATED
                  
               THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS IS JUNE 18, 1998     

<PAGE>
 
 
  [Map of Denver metropolitan area, indicating various locations of the Bank]
 
                               ----------------
 
  THE SHARES OF COMMON STOCK OFFERED HEREBY ARE NOT SAVINGS ACCOUNTS OR
DEPOSITS AND ARE NOT INSURED BY THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION, ANY
OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCY OR OTHERWISE.
 
                               ----------------
   
  The Company intends to furnish its shareholders with annual reports
containing audited financial statements, together with a report from its
independent public auditors, and quarterly reports for the first three
quarters of each fiscal year containing unaudited interim financial
information. Prior to the Offering, the Company was not a reporting company
with the Securities and Exchange Commission.     
 
                               ----------------
 
  CERTAIN PERSONS PARTICIPATING IN THE OFFERING MAY ENGAGE IN TRANSACTIONS
THAT STABILIZE, MAINTAIN OR OTHERWISE AFFECT THE PRICE OF THE COMMON STOCK,
INCLUDING OVER-ALLOTMENT, STABILIZING AND SHORT-COVERING TRANSACTIONS IN SUCH
COMMON STOCK, AND THE IMPOSITION OF A PENALTY BID, IN CONNECTION WITH THE
OFFERING. FOR A DESCRIPTION OF THESE ACTIVITIES, SEE "UNDERWRITING."
 
                                       2
<PAGE>
 
                               PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
 
  This summary is qualified in its entirety by the more detailed information
and the Consolidated Financial Statements and the Notes thereto included
elsewhere in this Prospectus. Unless otherwise indicated, all information in
this Prospectus (i) reflects a 4.7125-for-1 stock split of the Company's Common
Stock, par value $.01 per share (the "Common Stock"), effected in May 1998, and
(ii) assumes that the Underwriter's over-allotment option is not exercised.
This Prospectus contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and
uncertainties. The Company's actual results may differ materially from those
described in such forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause such a
difference, include, but are not limited to, those discussed under the caption
"Risk Factors." Unless the context otherwise requires, references to the
Company contained in this Prospectus include all of the Company's subsidiaries.
 
                                  THE COMPANY
 
  Colorado Business Bankshares, Inc. (the "Company") is a bank holding company
headquartered in Denver, Colorado that owns Colorado Business Bank, N.A. (the
"Bank"), a full-service, commercial banking institution with five locations in
the Denver metropolitan area. As of March 31, 1998, the Company had total
assets of $272.9 million, net loans and leases of $179.2 million and deposits
of $220.6 million. The Bank provides a broad range of sophisticated banking
products and services, including credit, cash management, investment, deposit
and trust products, to its targeted customer base of small- and medium-sized
businesses and high net worth individuals. Each of the Bank's locations
operates as a separate community bank, with significant local decision-making
authority. Support functions, such as accounting, data processing, bookkeeping,
credit administration, loan operations and investment and cash management
services, are provided centrally from the Company's downtown Denver office. As
a result of this operating approach, the Company believes that it is well
positioned as a community business bank, combining the elements of personalized
service found in community banks with sophisticated banking products and
services traditionally offered by larger regional banks. The Company believes
that its market position and experienced personnel give it the potential to
generate growth and financial returns in excess of industry averages.
   
  The Company's objective is to build a highly profitable, customer-focused
community banking network with assets in excess of $500 million by the end of
the year 2000. The Company believes that its senior management and systems
infrastructure are adequate to support growth to this level without incurring
proportionate increases in general, administrative and other noninterest
expenses. The Company's growth and operating strategies are designed to achieve
this objective. Although management intends to build the Company primarily
through internal growth, the introduction of new product lines and de novo
branching, the Company will also explore opportunities to expand through
acquisitions of existing banks. As the next step in its growth strategy, the
Company intends to open a de novo location in south metropolitan Denver by the
end of 1998. At the same time, the Company intends to continue to execute its
operating strategy, the principal components of which are: (i) assembling a
top-quality team, (ii) expanding existing banking relationships, (iii)
emphasizing high quality customer service, (iv) capitalizing on the use of
technology, (v) achieving efficiencies and economies of scale through
centralized administrative and support operations and (vi) maintaining asset
quality and controlling interest rate risk.     
 
  The Company's approach to expansion is predicated on recruiting key personnel
to lead new initiatives. While the Company normally considers an array of new
locations and product lines as potential expansion initiatives, it generally
will proceed only upon identifying quality management personnel with a loyal
customer following in the community or product line that is the target of the
initiative. The Company believes that, by focusing on individuals who are
established in their communities and are experienced in offering sophisticated
banking products and services, it enhances its market position and adds
profitable growth opportunities while managing credit risk.
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
 
 
  The Company was acquired by a group of private investors in September 1994
(the "Acquisition"). At that time, the Bank's operations were conducted through
two separate banks--Equitable Bank of Littleton, located in Littleton,
Colorado, and The Women's Bank, located in downtown Denver. From December 31,
1994 to March 31, 1998, the Company's assets increased to $272.9 million from
$143.9 million, an increase of 89.6%, its net loan and lease portfolio
increased to $179.2 million from $70.6 million, an increase of 154.0%, and
deposits increased to $220.6 million (29.8% of which were noninterest-bearing
deposits) from $124.5 million, an increase of 77.2%. During that period, the
Company made several changes in operations that it believes have had a
significant positive impact on its business, including:
     
  . ASSEMBLED EXPERIENCED MANAGEMENT TEAM. The Company assembled a senior
    management team comprised primarily of experienced Colorado banking
    professionals. These individuals brought to the Company a network of
    existing relationships with Denver metropolitan area businesses.     
     
  . ESTABLISHED NEW LOCATIONS IN THE DENVER METROPOLITAN AREA. The Company
    established three new banking locations, each staffed with bankers
    experienced in their respective markets: a Boulder location, which was
    opened in November 1995, a second location in Littleton, which was opened
    in March 1997, and a location in West Denver, which was opened in
    December 1997. As of March 31, 1998, these three locations had grown to
    $53.0 million, $10.8 million and $9.7 million in assets, respectively.
        
     
  . EXPANDED PRODUCT AND SERVICE OFFERINGS. Product and service offerings
    introduced since the Acquisition include (i) equipment leasing, (ii) a
    variety of new investment options and (iii) trust and estate
    administration services, including the administration of employee benefit
    plans. In addition, the Company significantly expanded the capability of
    its commercial real estate lending department.     
     
  . CONSOLIDATED BANKS. The Company consolidated its two bank charters into
    the Bank, which was renamed "Colorado Business Bank." The Company
    believes that, by placing all of its operations under the "Colorado
    Business Bank" standard, it increased its name recognition, better
    described its market focus and eliminated duplicative regulatory
    functions and costs.     
 
  The Company was incorporated in Colorado in 1980 as Equitable Bancorporation,
Inc. and changed its name to Colorado Business Bankshares, Inc. in September
1995. The Company's principal executive office is located at 821 Seventeenth
Street, Denver Colorado 80202, and its telephone number is (303) 293-2265.
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
 
                                  THE OFFERING
 
Common Stock offered........  1,400,000 shares
 
Common Stock to be
 outstanding after the            
 Offering...................  6,463,468 shares (1)     
 
Nasdaq National Market        
 symbol.....................  COBZ
 
Use of proceeds.............  To repay indebtedness, to redeem all of the
                              Company's outstanding Preferred Stock and to
                              contribute to the capital of the Bank. See "Use
                              of Proceeds."
 
Risk factors................  The Common Stock offered hereby involves a high
                              degree of risk, including, without limitation,
                              risks relating to: the impact of economic
                              conditions and interest rates on the Company's
                              business; loan and lease losses; and the
                              execution of the Company's growth strategy. See
                              "Risk Factors."
- --------
(1) Excludes (a) 249,764 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of
    outstanding options held by officers, directors and employees of the
    Company, (b) 273,839 shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance pursuant
    to future grants of options to officers, directors and employees of the
    Company and (c) 100,000 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of a
    warrant to be issued to the Underwriter. See "Management" and
    "Underwriting."
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
 
                       SUMMARY HISTORICAL FINANCIAL DATA
 
  The summary financial data presented below is derived from the Consolidated
Financial Statements of the Company included elsewhere in this Prospectus and
should be read in conjunction with such financial statements, and the notes
thereto, and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations."
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                             AT OR FOR THE
                          THREE MONTHS ENDED            AT OR FOR THE
                               MARCH 31,           YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                          --------------------  --------------------------------
                            1998       1997       1997       1996        1995
                          ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ----------
                           (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
<S>                       <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
STATEMENT OF INCOME
 DATA:
Interest income.........  $   5,377  $   3,893  $  18,147  $  13,711  $   11,231
Interest expense........      2,018      1,561      7,016      5,323       4,400
                          ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ----------
Net interest income
 before provision for
 loan and lease losses..      3,359      2,332     11,131      8,388       6,831
Provision for loan and
 lease losses...........        351        146        949        493         242
                          ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ----------
Net interest income
 after provision for
 loan and lease losses..      3,008      2,186     10,182      7,895       6,589
Noninterest income......      1,005        735      3,303      1,794       1,191
Noninterest expense.....      3,015      2,446     10,387      7,827       6,632
                          ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ----------
Income before income
 taxes..................        998        475      3,098      1,862       1,148
Provision for income
 taxes..................        411        203      1,245        762         432
                          ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ----------
Net income..............  $     587  $     272  $   1,853  $   1,100  $      716
                          =========  =========  =========  =========  ==========
Earnings per share--
 basic..................  $    0.11  $    0.07  $    0.37  $    0.29  $     0.19
                          =========  =========  =========  =========  ==========
Earnings per share--
 diluted................  $    0.10  $    0.07  $    0.36  $    0.29  $     0.19
                          =========  =========  =========  =========  ==========
Weighted average common
 shares and common share
 equivalents
 outstanding--basic.....  4,941,990  3,784,138  4,690,852  3,771,885   3,773,063
                          =========  =========  =========  =========  ==========
Weighted average common
 shares and common share
 equivalents
 outstanding--diluted...  5,220,531  3,900,021  4,802,778  3,826,467   3,800,147
                          =========  =========  =========  =========  ==========
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL
 CONDITION DATA:
Total assets............  $ 272,916  $ 207,631  $ 264,059  $ 190,645  $  160,421
Loans and leases, net...    179,211    120,687    164,091    110,748      87,310
Investments.............     57,085     62,533     58,784     57,571      50,991
Deposits................    220,595    169,649    221,058    155,310     137,513
Note payable............      7,500      9,750      7,500     10,000      10,500
Preferred shareholders'
 equity.................      1,500      1,500      1,500        --          --
Common shareholders'
 equity.................     16,915     12,934     15,925     10,189       9,066
KEY RATIOS:
Net interest
 margin (1).............       5.66%      5.28%      5.52%      5.46%       5.44%
Efficiency ratio (2)....      69.09      79.75      71.96      76.87       82.67
Return on average
 assets (1).............       0.90       0.56       0.83       0.64        0.50
Return on average common
 shareholders'
 equity (1).............      12.98       9.88      12.21      11.47        8.24
Average common
 shareholders' equity to
 average total assets...       6.38       5.63       6.35       5.54        6.01
Average total
 shareholders' equity to
 average total assets...       6.95       5.63       6.85       5.54        6.01
Nonperforming assets to
 total assets...........       0.45       0.33       0.31       0.36        0.58
Nonperforming loans and
 leases to total loans
 and leases.............       0.68       0.57       0.49       0.52        0.69
Allowance for loan and
 lease losses to total
 loans and leases.......       1.45       1.45       1.35       1.48        1.57
Allowance for loan and
 lease losses to
 nonperforming loans and
 leases.................     212.78     256.05     277.19     285.22      225.97
</TABLE>    
- --------
(1) The ratios for the three months ended March 31, 1998 and 1997 have been
    annualized and are not necessarily indicative of the results for the entire
    year.
(2) Efficiency ratio is the ratio of noninterest expense to the sum of net
    interest income before provision for loan and lease losses and noninterest
    income.
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
 
                                 RISK FACTORS
 
  An investment in the Common Stock offered hereby involves a high degree of
risk. In addition to the other information contained in this Prospectus, the
following factors should be considered carefully. This Prospectus contains
forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. The Company's
actual results may differ from those described in such forward-looking
statements. Factors that might cause such a difference include, but are not
limited to, those discussed in the following risk factors.
 
IMPACT OF ECONOMIC CONDITIONS AND INTEREST RATES
 
  The Company's operating results may be materially and adversely affected by
changes in prevailing local and national economic conditions, including
declines in real estate market values, rapid changes in interest rates and the
monetary and fiscal policies of the federal government. Substantially all of
the Company's loans and leases are to businesses and individuals in the Denver
metropolitan area, and any decline in the economy of this market area could
impact the Company adversely. Recent economic conditions in the Denver
metropolitan area have been generally more favorable than those in many other
regions of the country, but there can be no assurance that such favorable
conditions will continue to prevail. In addition, the Company's profitability
is, in part, a function of the spread between the interest rates earned on
loans and leases and the interest rates paid on deposits and other interest-
bearing liabilities. Since 1991, many banking organizations, including the
Company, have experienced historically high interest rate spreads. There can
be no assurance, however, that the Company will continue to experience such
high interest rate spreads. A decrease in interest rate spreads would have a
negative effect on the Company's business, financial condition, results of
operations and cash flows. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations--Net Interest Income" and "--
Asset/Liability Management," "Business--Market Area Served" and "Supervision
and Regulation--Monetary Policy."
 
LOAN AND LEASE LOSSES
 
  The inability of borrowers to repay loans and leases can erode the earnings
and capital of a bank. As a community business bank, the Bank's loan and lease
portfolio is somewhat less diversified than that of a traditional community
bank because it includes a higher concentration of larger commercial loans.
The Bank maintains an allowance for loan and lease losses to provide for loan
and lease defaults and nonperformance. The allowance is based on prior
experience with loan and lease losses, as well as an evaluation of the risks
in the current loan and lease portfolio. The amount of future losses is
susceptible to changes in economic, operating and other conditions, including
changes in interest rates, that may be beyond the Company's control. Despite
the Company's efforts to estimate future loan and lease losses, such losses
may exceed the Bank's allowance for loan and lease losses. As of March 31,
1998, the Company had total nonperforming loans and leases of $1.2 million
(0.68% of total loans and leases). At the same date, the Bank's allowance for
loan and lease losses was $2.6 million (1.45% of total loans and leases and
212.78% of nonperforming loans and leases). There can be no assurance that
such allowance will be adequate to cover actual losses. Moreover, future
additions to the Bank's allowance for loan and lease losses could result in a
material decrease in the Company's net income and capital. See "Business--
Nonperforming Assets" and "--Analysis of Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses."
 
RISKS OF GROWTH STRATEGY
 
  The Company's growth initiatives are based upon recruiting experienced
personnel to lead such initiatives, and, accordingly, the failure to identify
and retain such personnel would place significant limitations on the Company's
ability to execute its growth strategy. In addition, to the extent that the
Company seeks to grow by acquiring other financial institutions, it may face
significant competition from other entities, including larger regional bank
holding companies seeking to acquire such institutions. Since there are a
limited number of attractive acquisition candidates that operate in the
Company's target markets, the Company's ability to grow through acquisitions
may be significantly constrained. Moreover, any such acquisitions would be
subject to regulatory approval, and there can be no assurance that the Company
would obtain such approval. The Company
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
 
does not have any agreement, arrangement or understanding regarding the
acquisition of any financial institution. In addition, in the event that the
Company does proceed with any acquisition, there can be no assurance that it
will be successful in integrating the acquired institution into its business.
Furthermore, the Company must maintain sufficient regulatory capital levels to
support any such acquisition. There can be no assurance that the Company will
implement its growth strategy successfully. See "Business--Growth Strategy"
and "Supervision and Regulation--The Holding Company."
 
DEPENDENCE ON KEY PERSONNEL
   
  Consistent with its policy of focusing growth initiatives on the recruitment
of qualified personnel, the Company is highly dependent on the continued
services of a number of its executive officers and key employees. The loss of
the services of any of these individuals could adversely affect the Company's
business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. The
Company does not have key person life insurance on the life of any of these
individuals. Moreover, the Company's anticipated growth is expected to place
increased demands on its human resources and will require the recruitment of
additional middle management personnel. The failure to recruit and retain key
personnel could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business,
financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. See "Business--
Growth Strategy" and "Management."     
 
COMPETITIVE BANKING ENVIRONMENT
 
  The banking business in the Denver metropolitan area is highly competitive.
The Company competes for loans and deposits with other commercial banks,
savings and loan associations, finance companies, mutual funds, credit unions
and mortgage bankers. In addition to traditional financial institutions, the
Company also competes for loans with brokerage and investment banking
companies, nonfinancial institutions, including retail stores that maintain
their own credit programs, and governmental agencies that make available low
cost or guaranteed loans to certain borrowers. Particularly in times of high
interest rates, the Company also faces significant competition for deposits
from sellers of short-term money market securities and other corporate and
government securities. By virtue of their larger capital bases or affiliation
with larger multi-bank holding companies, many of the Company's competitors
have substantially greater resources and lending limits than the Company and
perform other functions that the Company offers only through correspondents.
Interstate banking is permitted in Colorado, and, since January 1, 1997,
unlimited state-wide branch banking has been permitted. As a result, the
Company may experience greater competition in its primary service areas. The
Company's business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows
may be adversely affected by an increase in competition. Moreover, recently
enacted and proposed legislation has focused on expanding the ability of
participants in the banking industry to engage in other lines of business. The
enactment of such legislation could put the Company at a competitive
disadvantage because it may not have the capital to participate in other lines
of business to the same extent as more highly capitalized bank holding
companies. See "Business--Competition" and "Supervision and Regulation."
 
CONVERSION TO NEW DATA PROCESSING SYSTEM
 
  The Company is in the process of converting to a data processing system
designed, installed and serviced by Jack Henry & Associates, Inc. (the "Jack
Henry System") and is scheduled to begin operating on the new system in June
1998. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to complete the
conversion without temporary interruptions of service. Any such interruptions
of service could have a material adverse effect on the Company's relationships
with its customers and, therefore, its business, financial condition, results
of operations and cash flows. See "Business--Data Processing Systems."
 
YEAR 2000 COMPLIANCE
 
  As the year 2000 approaches, a significant business issue has emerged
regarding how existing application software programs and operating systems can
accommodate the date value for the year 2000. Many existing software
application products, including software application products used by the
Bank, were designed to
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
 
accommodate only a two-digit date value, which represents the year. For
example, information relating to the year 1996 is stored in the system as
"96." As a result, the year 1999 (i.e., "99") could be the maximum date value
that these systems will be able to process accurately. In response to concerns
about this issue, bank regulatory agencies have begun to monitor bank holding
companies' and banks' readiness for the year 2000 as part of the regular
examination process. In the event that a bank holding company or a bank is
determined not to be satisfactorily prepared for the year 2000, it will be
required to submit a written plan establishing a timetable for year 2000
compliance and periodic progress reports on its efforts to implement the plan.
Failure to formulate a satisfactory plan, or to implement the plan
successfully, could result in an enforcement action. The inability of the
Company to address year 2000 issues successfully could result in significant
interruptions in its operations and, therefore, could have a material adverse
effect on the Company's business, financial condition, results of operations
and cash flows. See "Business--Data Processing Systems" and "Supervision and
Regulation--The Bank--Monitoring of Year 2000 Compliance."
 
GOVERNMENT REGULATION AND RECENT LEGISLATION
 
  The Company and the Bank are subject to extensive federal and state
legislation, regulation and supervision, which is intended to protect
depositors rather than shareholders of the Company. Recently enacted, proposed
and future legislation and regulations have had, and will likely continue to
have, a significant impact on the Company, the Bank and the banking industry.
Some of these legislative and regulatory changes will increase the Company's
costs of doing business and create advantages for its competitors. For
example, recently enacted and proposed legislation has focused on expanding
the ability of participants in the banking industry to engage in other lines
of business. The enactment of such legislation could put the Company at a
competitive disadvantage because it may not have the capital to participate in
other lines of business to the same extent as more highly capitalized bank
holding companies. See "Business--Competition" and "Supervision and
Regulation."
 
POTENTIAL LIABILITY FOR UNDERCAPITALIZED SUBSIDIARY
 
  Under federal law, a bank holding company may be required to guarantee a
capital plan filed by an undercapitalized bank subsidiary with its primary
regulator. If the subsidiary defaults under the plan, the holding company may
be required to contribute to the capital of the subsidiary bank an amount
equal to the lesser of 5% of the bank's assets at the time it became
undercapitalized or the amount necessary to bring the bank into compliance
with applicable capital standards. Therefore, it is possible that the Company
will be required to contribute capital to the Bank or any other bank that it
may acquire in the event that such bank becomes undercapitalized. Moreover,
the Company may be required to make such capital contribution at a time when
it has other significant capital needs, and, therefore, such requirement may
adversely affect the Company's business, financial condition, results of
operations and cash flows. See "Supervision and Regulation--The Holding
Company--Capital Adequacy" and "--The Bank--Capital Adequacy."
 
NEED FOR TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGE
 
  The banking industry is undergoing rapid technological change, with frequent
introductions of new technology-driven products and services. The Company's
future success will depend, in part, on its ability to address the needs of
its customers by using technology to provide products and services that will
satisfy customer demands for convenience, as well as its ability to create
additional efficiencies in its operations. Many of the Company's competitors
have substantially greater resources to invest in technological improvements.
There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to effectively
implement new technology-driven products and services or be successful in
marketing such products and services to its customers. See "Business--
Operating Strategy."
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
 
NO PRIOR MARKET
   
  Prior to the Offering, there was no public market for the Common Stock. The
Common Stock has been approved for quotation on the Nasdaq National Market.
However, there can be no assurance that a market for the Common Stock will
develop or, if developed, will be sustained. See "Description of Capital
Stock."     
 
NO DIVIDENDS SINCE ACQUISITION; RESTRICTIONS ON PAYMENTS OF DIVIDENDS
 
  Since the Acquisition, the Company has not paid cash dividends on its Common
Stock and does not intend to pay dividends in the foreseeable future. Instead,
the Company intends to retain earnings to support the growth of its business.
Moreover, the Company's ability to pay a cash dividend on its Common Stock, if
it determines to do so, is largely dependent upon the payment of dividends by
the Bank to the Company. The Bank's ability to pay dividends to the Company is
restricted by federal regulations. Without prior regulatory approval, the Bank
cannot pay dividends during any calendar year in excess of the sum of its
earnings during that year and the two previous years (less any other
distributions to shareholders during that period). See "Dividend Policy" and
"Supervision and Regulation--The Bank--Dividend Restrictions."
 
CONCENTRATION OF OWNERSHIP
 
  As of March 31, 1998, directors, executive officers and key employees of the
Company beneficially owned approximately 60.1% of the Common Stock. Upon
completion of this offering (the "Offering"), directors, executive officers
and key employees of the Company will beneficially own approximately 48.6% of
the Common Stock (including the 90,000 shares of Common Stock reserved for
sale to directors, executive officers and key employees of the Company in the
Offering). Accordingly, such persons will be in a position to exercise
substantial influence over the affairs of the Company. See "Management" and
"Principal Shareholders."
 
ANTI-TAKEOVER PROVISIONS
 
  The Company's Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws include a number of
provisions that may have the effect of encouraging persons considering
unsolicited tender offers or other unilateral takeover proposals to negotiate
with the Board of Directors of the Company rather than pursue non-negotiated
takeover attempts. These provisions include preferred stock as to which the
Company's Board of Directors has the authority to issue additional series and
to fix the rights, preferences and limitations thereof without shareholder
approval, the availability for issuance of authorized but unissued Common
Stock and a classified Board of Directors, with three classes of directors
having staggered terms of three years each. See "Description of Capital Stock"
and "Management--Classified Board of Directors." Moreover, the Company has
entered into employment agreements with a number of its executive officers and
key employees that require the Company to make a lump sum payment to such
employee in an amount equal to a multiple of such employee's annual
compensation in the event that his or her employment is terminated within two
years after the occurrence of certain types of changes in control of the
Company. As of March 31, 1998, the estimated aggregate amount of such payments
that would be due if the employment of each such executive officer and key
employee were to terminate after such a change of control was $2.7 million.
See "Management--Employment Agreements." Moreover, the shareholders' agreement
between the Bank and the 20% minority shareholders of its equipment leasing
subsidiary requires any person or entity acquiring the Bank to purchase the
equity interest of such shareholders in the subsidiary in connection with such
acquisition. These anti-takeover provisions have the effect of discouraging a
change in control of the Company not approved by its Board of Directors,
thereby potentially depriving shareholders of an opportunity to sell their
shares at a substantial premium over market price. See "Description of Capital
Stock--Certain Charter and Bylaw Provisions." In addition, no person or
entity, individually or together with persons or entities acting in concert
with such person or entity, may acquire the ownership, control, right to vote
or right to acquire 10% or more of the Company's total outstanding Common
Stock, without first complying with the requirements of the Change in Bank
Control Act and the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956. These requirements also
may have the effect of delaying or preventing a change of control of the
Company. See "Supervision and Regulation."
 
 
                                      10
<PAGE>
 
POSSIBLE VOLATILITY OF MARKET PRICE
   
  The initial public offering price of the Common Stock has been determined by
negotiations between the Company and the Underwriter based upon several
factors. There can be no assurance that future market prices will equal or
exceed the initial public offering price. Following the Offering, the market
price of the Common Stock may fluctuate, depending on various factors,
including the general economy, stock market conditions, general trends in the
banking industry, announcements by the Company or its competitors and
variations in the Company's quarterly and annual operating results. See
"Underwriting."     
 
DILUTION
 
  Purchasers of the Common Stock offered hereby will incur substantial
immediate dilution. See "Dilution."
 
SHARES OF COMMON STOCK ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE
   
  Sales of a substantial number of shares of Common Stock in the public market
following the Offering could adversely affect the market price of the Common
Stock. Following the Offering, the Company will have outstanding 6,463,468
shares of Common Stock. As of the date of this Prospectus, the 1,400,000
shares of Common Stock offered hereby and approximately 293,264 additional
shares of Common Stock may be sold in the public market. Beginning 90 days
after the date of this Prospectus, approximately 956,355 additional shares of
Common Stock may be sold in the public market, subject to the volume
limitations and other requirements contained in Rule 144 ("Rule 144"),
promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities
Act"). Beginning 180 days after the date of this Prospectus, approximately
3,813,849 additional shares of Common Stock subject to lock-up agreements
between the Underwriter and the Company's directors, executive officers and
key employees, and certain other shareholders, will become available for sale
in the public market. Thereafter, substantially all of the outstanding shares
of Common Stock may be sold in the public market, subject to compliance with
Rule 144. See "Shares Eligible for Future Sale."     
 
                                      11
<PAGE>
 
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
   
  The net proceeds to the Company from the sale of the Common Stock offered
hereby, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated
offering expenses, will be approximately $15.2 million ($17.5 million if the
Underwriter's over- allotment option is exercised in full).     
   
  The Company anticipates that approximately $7.3 million of the net proceeds
will be used to repay all remaining outstanding indebtedness under the
Company's credit facility (the "Credit Facility") with American National Bank
and Trust Company ("ANB"). The Credit Facility is secured by the Company's
pledge of all of the capital stock of the Bank. Interest on the Credit
Facility accrues at the prime rate and is payable quarterly. All outstanding
indebtedness under the Credit Facility is payable in full on June 30, 2001.
Approximately $1.5 million of the net proceeds will be used to redeem all of
the Company's outstanding Preferred Stock, including the payment of accrued
but unpaid dividends (which accrue at a variable rate that is 2.25% higher
than the prime rate and are payable quarterly). The outstanding shares of the
Preferred Stock may be redeemed by the Company at any time without premium or
penalty. All such shares of Preferred Stock were issued to an entity
affiliated with ANB in April 1997 in connection with ANB's exchange of $1.5
million of outstanding indebtedness under the Credit Facility for Preferred
Stock. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations--Overview." The remaining approximately $6.4 million
(42.1% of the net proceeds from the Offering) will be contributed to the
capital of the Bank. Although the Bank currently exceeds regulatory capital
requirements, the additional capital will enable it to continue asset growth.
    
                                DIVIDEND POLICY
 
  The Company's policy is to retain its earnings to support the growth of its
business. The Board of Directors of the Company has not declared cash
dividends on the Common Stock since the Acquisition and does not plan to do so
in the foreseeable future. The ability of the Company to pay cash dividends
largely depends on the amount of cash dividends paid to it by the Bank.
Capital distributions, including dividends, by institutions such as the Bank
are subject to restrictions tied to the institution's earnings. See
"Supervision and Regulation--The Bank--Dividend Restrictions."
 
                                      12
<PAGE>
 
                                   DILUTION
   
  The net tangible book value of the Company's Common Stock at March 31, 1998
was approximately $11.9 million, or approximately $2.35 per share. After
giving effect to the Offering, and the application of the estimated net
proceeds therefrom, the net tangible book value of the Common Stock at March
31, 1998 would have been approximately $27.1 million, or $4.19 per share. This
represents an immediate dilution to investors of $7.81 per share, as
illustrated by the following table:     
 
<TABLE>   
   <S>                                                            <C>   <C>
   Initial public offering price per share.......................       $12.00
   Net tangible book value per share of Common Stock as of March
    31, 1998..................................................... $2.35
   Increase per share of Common Stock attributable to new
    investors....................................................  1.84
                                                                  -----
   Pro forma net tangible book value per share of Common Stock
    after the Offering (1).......................................         4.19
                                                                        ------
   Dilution per share of Common Stock to new investors (1).......       $ 7.81
                                                                        ======
</TABLE>    
- --------
(1) Excludes (a) 249,764 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of
    outstanding options held by officers, directors and employees of the
    Company, (b) 273,839 shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance pursuant
    to future grants of options to officers, directors and employees of the
    Company and (c) 100,000 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of a
    warrant to be issued to the Underwriter.
   
  The following table summarizes, as of March 31, 1998, on a pro forma basis,
the number of shares of Common Stock issued by the Company, the total
consideration received by the Company for such shares and the average price
per share of Common Stock paid by existing shareholders and by investors in
the Offering, before deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and
commissions and offering expenses.     
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                 SHARES PURCHASED  TOTAL CONSIDERATION  AVERAGE
                                 ----------------- ------------------- PRICE PER
                                  SHARES   PERCENT   AMOUNT    PERCENT   SHARE
                                 --------- ------- ----------- ------- ---------
<S>                              <C>       <C>     <C>         <C>     <C>
Existing shareholders........... 5,063,468   78.3% $12,382,000   42.4%  $ 2.45
New investors................... 1,400,000   21.7   16,800,000   57.6    12.00
                                 ---------  -----  -----------  -----
  Total......................... 6,463,468  100.0% $29,182,000  100.0%
                                 =========  =====  ===========  =====
</TABLE>    
 
                                      13
<PAGE>
 
                                 CAPITALIZATION
   
  The following table, which should be read in conjunction with the
Consolidated Financial Statements and related Notes thereto included elsewhere
in this Prospectus, sets forth the capitalization (including deposits) of the
Company as of March 31, 1998, and as adjusted to reflect the Offering, and the
application of the estimated net proceeds therefrom.     
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                                            AT MARCH 31, 1998
                                                           --------------------
                                                            ACTUAL  AS ADJUSTED
                                                           -------- -----------
                                                              (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                        <C>      <C>
Deposits.................................................. $220,595  $220,595
                                                           ========  ========
Borrowings:
  Securities sold under agreements to repurchase.......... $ 16,085  $ 16,085
  Federal funds purchased.................................    5,000     5,000
  FHLB notes payable......................................    3,260     3,260
  Note payable............................................    7,500       --
                                                           --------  --------
    Total borrowings...................................... $ 31,845  $ 24,345
                                                           ========  ========
Shareholders' equity:
  Preferred Stock, $.01 par value per share; 2,000,000
   shares authorized; 1,500 shares issued and outstanding,
   actual; no shares issued and outstanding, as adjusted.. $  1,500  $    --
  Common Stock, $.01 par value per share; 25,000,000
   shares authorized; 5,063,468 shares issued and
   outstanding, actual; 6,463,468 shares issued and
   outstanding, as adjusted...............................       51        65
  Additional paid-in capital..............................   12,331    27,490
  Retained earnings.......................................    4,380     4,380
  Net unrealized appreciation on available for sale
   securities, net of taxes...............................      153       153
                                                           --------  --------
    Total shareholders' equity............................ $ 18,415  $ 32,088
                                                           ========  ========
</TABLE>    
 
                                       14
<PAGE>
 
                     MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
               OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
OVERVIEW
 
  The Company was acquired by a group of private investors in September 1994
for a purchase price of approximately $17.4 million. The purchase price was
financed, in part, by a loan obtained by the Company in the amount of $10.5
million from ANB. In connection with the Acquisition, the Company recorded (i)
a deposit intangible valued at $352,000, which was amortized over a three-year
period, and (ii) goodwill of $6.4 million, which is being amortized over a 15-
year period. The amortization of these assets adversely affects the Company's
net income, although it has no effect on its cash flow.
 
  In March 1997, the Company completed a private placement of 1,102,725 shares
of Common Stock at a price of $3.61 per share for an aggregate of
approximately $4.0 million, which was used to fund the Company's continuing
growth. The capital raised in this transaction was provided primarily by
certain Colorado-based investors who have played a significant role in the
growth of the Company by providing deposits and loan opportunities, both
directly and indirectly through referrals. In April 1997, the Company
increased its regulatory capital by converting $1.5 million of its outstanding
indebtedness to ANB into Preferred Stock.
 
  Since the Acquisition, the Company's objective has been to maximize its
return on shareholders' equity and to retain earnings to support growth. From
December 31, 1994 to March 31, 1998, the Company's shareholders' equity
(excluding preferred stock) increased 104.1%, from $8.3 million to $16.9
million (including the $4.0 million in additional capital raised in March 1997
in the private placement referred to above). During that same time period, the
Company's outstanding loans and leases increased 153.0%, from $71.9 million to
$181.8 million. This increase has primarily been the result of the Company's
focus on local relationship banking and commercial lending to small- and
medium-sized businesses. In addition, the Company has emphasized building and
maintaining asset quality through its credit underwriting and monitoring
process. See "Business--Lending Activities." Nonperforming assets have ranged
from 0.31% to 0.58% of total assets during this period. While the Company has
maintained asset quality, it has continued to build its allowance for loan and
lease losses. The Company's allowance for loan and lease losses was increased
122.7%, from $1.2 million as of December 31, 1994 to $2.6 million as of March
31, 1998 to maintain strong reserve coverage of the Company's growing loan and
lease portfolio.
 
  In March 1996, the Company formed an equipment leasing subsidiary, Colorado
Business Leasing, Inc. ("CBL"). The Company owns an 80% interest in CBL and
the remaining 20% is owned by CBL's management. Prior to April 1, 1998, the
Bank purchased all leases originated by CBL and, accordingly, assumed all
credit risk associated with such leases. The Bank paid a servicing fee to CBL
for each lease, and customers sometimes paid additional origination fees
directly to CBL. As of April 1, 1998, the Company and CBL restructured their
relationship so that all leases are held by CBL, with the Bank providing CBL a
line of credit to fund the purchase of leased equipment. The Company believes
that the restructuring will not have a material effect on its consolidated
financial statements.
 
  The Company's management has focused on developing an organization with
personnel, management systems and products that will allow it to compete
effectively and position it for growth. The cost of this process relative to
the Company's size has been high. In addition, the Company has operated with
excess capacity during the start-up phases of various projects. As a result,
the Company's earnings over the past several years have been adversely
affected by relatively high levels of noninterest expense. Salaries and
employee benefits comprised most of this overhead category, but the Company
believes that its compensation levels have allowed it to recruit and retain a
highly qualified management team capable of implementing its business
strategies. The Company believes that its compensation policies, which include
the granting of options to purchase Common Stock to many employees, have
highly motivated its employees and have enhanced its ability to maintain
customer loyalty and generate earnings. While the Company will continue to add
personnel to lead new growth
 
                                      15
<PAGE>
 
initiatives, including middle management, it believes that its senior
management and systems infrastructure are adequate to support its anticipated
growth without incurring proportionate increases in general, administrative
and other noninterest expenses.
 
  This discussion should be read in conjunction with the Company's
Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto included elsewhere in this
Prospectus. For a description of the Company's accounting policies, see Note 1
of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
NET INTEREST INCOME
 
  The largest component of the Company's net income is its net interest
income. Net interest income is the difference between interest income,
principally from loans, leases and investment securities, and interest
expense, principally on customer deposits and borrowings. Changes in net
interest income result from changes in volume, net interest spread and net
interest margin. Volume refers to the average dollar levels of interest-
earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities. Net interest spread refers to
the difference between the average yield on interest-earning assets and the
average cost of interest-bearing liabilities. Net interest margin refers to
net interest income divided by average interest-earning assets and is
influenced by the level and relative mix of interest-earning assets and
interest-bearing liabilities.
 
  The following tables present, for the periods indicated, certain information
related to the Company's average balance sheet items or accounts and its
average yields on assets and average costs of liabilities. Such yields are
derived by dividing income or expense by the average balance of the
corresponding assets or liabilities.
 
                                      16
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                     FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31,
                          -------------------------------------------------------------
                                      1998                           1997
                          ------------------------------ ------------------------------
                                    INTEREST   AVERAGE             INTEREST   AVERAGE
                          AVERAGE    EARNED     YIELD    AVERAGE    EARNED     YIELD
                           BALANCE  OR PAID  OR COST (1) BALANCE   OR PAID  OR COST (1)
                          --------  -------- ----------- --------  -------- -----------
                                            (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                       <C>       <C>      <C>         <C>       <C>      <C>
ASSETS:
Federal funds sold......  $  6,660   $   88      5.29%   $  4,897   $   87      7.07%
Investment securities
 (2)....................    59,483      921      6.19      56,338      834      5.92
Loans and leases (3)....   173,526    4,368     10.07     117,173    2,972     10.15
Allowance for loan and
 lease losses...........    (2,413)     --        --       (1,707)     --        --
                          --------   ------              --------   ------
   Total interest-
    earning assets......   237,256    5,377      9.07     176,701    3,893      8.81
Noninterest-earning
 assets:
 Cash and due from
  banks.................    12,819                         10,637
 Other..................    13,612                         10,872
                          --------                       --------
   Total assets.........  $263,687                       $198,210
                          ========                       ========
LIABILITIES AND SHARE-
 HOLDERS' EQUITY:
Deposits:
 NOW and money market
  accounts..............  $ 79,414      650      3.28    $ 61,598      481      3.12
 Savings................     6,103       40      2.59       5,858       38      2.59
 Certificates of
  deposit:
 Under $100,000.........    19,504      246      5.04      13,211      176      5.33
 $100,000 and over......    51,317      721      5.62      32,598      442      5.42
                          --------   ------              --------   ------
 Total interest-bearing
  deposits..............   156,338    1,657      4.24     113,265    1,137      4.02
Short-term borrowings:
 Securities and loans
  sold under agreements
  to repurchase and
  federal funds
  purchased.............    11,217      150      5.33      10,775      149      5.52
 FHLB notes payable.....     4,400       52      4.73       4,400       69      6.29
Long-term borrowings....     7,500      159      8.50       9,917      206      8.32
                          --------   ------              --------   ------
 Total interest-bearing
  liabilities...........   179,455    2,018      4.50     138,357    1,561      4.51
Noninterest-bearing
 demand accounts........    64,420                         46,574
                          --------                       --------
 Total deposits and
  interest-bearing
  liabilities...........   243,875                        184,931
Other noninterest-
 bearing liabilities....     1,478                          2,113
                          --------                       --------
   Total liabilities....   245,353                        187,044
Shareholders' equity....    18,334                         11,166
                          --------                       --------
   Total liabilities and
    shareholders'
    equity..............  $263,687                       $198,210
                          ========                       ========
Net interest income.....             $3,359                         $2,332
                                     ======                         ======
Net interest spread.....                         4.57%                          4.30%
                                                =====                          =====
Net interest margin.....                         5.66%                          5.28%
                                                =====                          =====
Ratio of average
 interest-earning assets
 to average interest-
 bearing liabilities....    132.21%                        127.71%
                          ========                       ========
</TABLE>    
- --------
(1) Average yield or cost for the three months ended March 31, 1998 and 1997
    has been annualized and is not necessarily indicative of results for the
    entire year.
(2) Yields do not include adjustments for tax-exempt interest because the
    amount of such interest is not material.
(3) Loan fees included in interest income are not material. Nonaccrual loans
    and leases are included in average loans and leases outstanding.
 
                                       17
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                     FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                           -----------------------------------------------------
                                     1997                       1996
                           -------------------------- --------------------------
                                     INTEREST AVERAGE           INTEREST AVERAGE
                           AVERAGE    EARNED   YIELD  AVERAGE    EARNED   YIELD
                           BALANCE   OR PAID  OR COST BALANCE   OR PAID  OR COST
                           --------  -------- ------- --------  -------- -------
                                         (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                        <C>       <C>      <C>     <C>       <C>      <C>
ASSETS:
Federal funds sold.......  $  5,204  $   360    6.92% $  2,633   $  179    6.80%
Investment securities
 (1).....................    59,602    3,616    6.07    54,397    3,415    6.38
Loans and leases (2).....   138,787   14,171   10.21    98,075   10,117   10.32
Allowance for loan and
 lease losses............    (1,933)     --      --     (1,518)     --      --
                           --------  -------          --------   ------
 Total interest-earning
  assets.................   201,660   18,147    9.00   153,587   13,711    8.93
Noninterest-earning
 assets:
 Cash and due from
  banks..................    12,810                      9,997
 Other...................     9,758                      9,580
                           --------                   --------
   Total assets..........  $224,228                   $173,164
                           ========                   ========
LIABILITIES AND
 SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Deposits:
 NOW and money market
  accounts...............  $ 66,222    2,141    3.23  $ 63,037    1,950    3.09
 Savings.................     5,780      152    2.63     5,669      150    2.65
 Certificates of deposit:
 Under $100,000..........    16,942      877    5.18     9,872      445    4.51
 $100,000 and over.......    35,936    2,083    5.80    26,227    1,450    5.53
                           --------  -------          --------   ------
 Total interest-bearing
  deposits...............   124,880    5,253    4.21   104,805    3,995    3.81
Short-term borrowings:
 Securities and loans
  sold under agreements
  to repurchase and
  federal funds
  purchased..............    15,059      751    4.99     5,287      377    7.13
 FHLB notes payable......     4,167      280    6.72     1,073       68    6.34
Long-term borrowings.....     8,458      732    8.65    10,417      883    8.48
                           --------  -------          --------   ------
 Total interest-bearing
  liabilities............   152,564    7,016    4.60   121,582    5,323    4.38
Noninterest-bearing
 demand accounts.........    54,706                     41,070
                           --------                   --------
 Total deposits and
  interest-bearing
  liabilities............   207,270                    162,652
Other noninterest-bearing
 liabilities.............     1,606                        923
                           --------                   --------
   Total liabilities.....   208,876                    163,575
Shareholders' equity.....    15,352                      9,589
                           --------                   --------
 Total liabilities and
  shareholders' equity...  $224,228                   $173,164
                           ========                   ========
Net interest income......            $11,131                     $8,388
                                     =======                     ======
Net interest spread......                       4.40%                      4.55%
                                               =====                      =====
Net interest margin......                       5.52%                      5.46%
                                               =====                      =====
Ratio of average
 interest-earning assets
 to average interest-
 bearing liabilities.....    132.18%                    126.32%
                           ========                   ========
</TABLE>    
- --------
(1) Yields do not include adjustments for tax-exempt interest because the
    amount of such interest is not material.
(2) Loan fees included in interest income are not material. Nonaccrual loans
    and leases are included in average loans and leases outstanding.
 
                                       18
<PAGE>
 
  The following table illustrates, for the periods indicated, the changes in
the Company's net interest income due to changes in volume and changes in
interest rates. Changes in net interest income due to both volume and rate
have been included in the changes due to rate.
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                             THREE MONTHS ENDED             YEAR ENDED
                               MARCH 31, 1998           DECEMBER 31, 1997
                               COMPARED WITH              COMPARED WITH
                             THREE MONTHS ENDED             YEAR ENDED
                               MARCH 31, 1997           DECEMBER 31, 1996
                            INCREASE (DECREASE)        INCREASE (DECREASE)
                           IN NET INTEREST INCOME     IN NET INTEREST INCOME
                             DUE TO CHANGES IN          DUE TO CHANGES IN
                          --------------------------  ------------------------
                           VOLUME    RATE    TOTAL    VOLUME    RATE    TOTAL
                          --------  ------  --------  -------- ------  -------
                                          (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                       <C>       <C>     <C>       <C>      <C>     <C>
Interest-earning assets:
 Federal funds sold...... $     31  $  (30) $      1  $   176  $    5  $   181
 Investments.............       47      40        87      326    (125)     201
 Loans and leases........    1,429     (33)    1,396    4,200    (146)   4,054
                          --------  ------  --------  -------  ------  -------
   Total interest-earning
    assets...............    1,507     (23)    1,484    4,702    (266)   4,436
                          --------  ------  --------  -------  ------  -------
Interest-bearing
 liabilities:
 NOW and money market
  accounts...............      138      31       169       99      92      191
 Savings.................        2      --         2        3      (1)       2
 Certificates of
  deposits:
 Under $100,000..........       84     (14)       70      319     113      432
 $100,000 and over.......      254      25       279      537      96      633
 Short-term borrowings:
 Securities and loans
  sold under agreements
  to repurchase and
  federal funds
  purchased..............        6      (5)        1      696    (322)     374
 FHLB notes payable......       --     (17)      (17)     197      15      212
 Long-term borrowings....      (50)      3       (47)    (166)     15     (151)
                          --------  ------  --------  -------  ------  -------
   Total interest-bearing
    liabilities..........      434      23       457    1,685       8    1,693
                          --------  ------  --------  -------  ------  -------
   Net increase
    (decrease) in net
    interest income...... $  1,073  $  (46) $  1,027  $ 3,017  $ (274) $ 2,743
                          ========  ======  ========  =======  ======  =======
</TABLE>    
 
ASSET/LIABILITY MANAGEMENT
 
  The Company's results of operations depend significantly on net interest
income. Like most financial institutions, the Company's interest income and
cost of funds are affected by general economic conditions and by competition
in the marketplace. Rising and falling interest rate environments can have
various impacts on net interest income, depending on the interest rate profile
(i.e., the difference between the repricing of interest- earning assets and
interest-bearing liabilities), the relative changes in interest rates that
occur when various assets and liabilities reprice, unscheduled repayments of
loans and leases and investments, early withdrawals of deposits and other
factors. As a general rule, banks with positive interest rate gaps are more
likely to be susceptible to declines in net interest income in periods of
falling interest rates, while banks with negative interest rate gaps are more
likely to experience declines in net interest income in periods of rising
interest rates. As of March 31, 1998, the Company's cumulative interest rate
gap for the period of less than one year was a positive 8.75%. Therefore,
assuming no change in the Company's gap position, a rise in interest rates is
likely to result in increased net interest income, while a decline in interest
rates is likely to result in decreased net interest income.
 
 
                                      19
<PAGE>
 
  The following table sets forth the estimated maturity or repricing, and the
resulting interest rate gap, of the Company's interest-earning assets and
interest-bearing liabilities at March 31, 1998. All amounts in the table are
based on contractual pricing schedules. Actual prepayment and withdrawal
experience may vary significantly from the assumptions reflected in the table.
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                             ESTIMATED MATURITY OR REPRICING AT MARCH 31, 1998
                          --------------------------------------------------------
                                       THREE MONTHS
                           LESS THAN   TO LESS THAN   ONE TO      OVER
                          THREE MONTHS   ONE YEAR   FIVE YEARS FIVE YEARS  TOTAL
                          ------------ ------------ ---------- ---------- --------
                                           (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                       <C>          <C>          <C>        <C>        <C>
Interest-earning assets:
  Fixed rate loans......    $ 17,035     $ 25,393    $ 17,138   $ 13,351  $ 72,917
  Floating rate loans...      98,336          173       1,107        140    99,756
  Lease financing.......       1,108        3,401       4,659        --      9,168
  Investment securities
   held to maturity and
   available for sale...      16,942       28,538      10,460      1,145    57,085
  Federal funds sold....       1,500          --          --         --      1,500
                            --------     --------    --------   --------  --------
    Total interest-
     earning assets.....    $134,921     $ 57,505    $ 33,364   $ 14,636  $240,426
                            ========     ========    ========   ========  ========
Interest-bearing
 liabilities:
  NOW and money market
   accounts.............    $ 15,910     $ 63,636    $    --    $    --   $ 79,546
  Savings...............         619        1,313       3,021      1,238     6,191
  Time deposits under
   $100,000.............       5,003       11,871       2,125        --     18,999
  Time deposits $100,000
   and over.............      30,149       17,819       2,092          7    50,067
  Federal funds
   purchased............       5,000          --          --         --      5,000
  Other interest-bearing
   liabilities..........      17,155           70       1,560        560    19,345
                            --------     --------    --------   --------  --------
    Total interest-
     bearing
     liabilities........    $ 73,836     $ 94,709    $  8,798   $  1,805  $179,148
                            ========     ========    ========   ========  ========
Interest rate gap.......    $ 61,085     $(37,204)   $ 24,566   $ 12,831  $ 61,278
                            ========     ========    ========   ========  ========
Cumulative interest rate
 gap at
 March 31, 1998.........    $ 61,085     $ 23,881    $ 48,447   $ 61,278
                            ========     ========    ========   ========
Cumulative interest rate
 gap to total assets....       22.38%        8.75%      17.75%     22.45%
                            ========     ========    ========   ========
</TABLE>    
 
  To manage these relationships, the Company evaluates the following factors:
liquidity, equity, debt/capital ratio, anticipated prepayment rates, portfolio
maturities, maturing assets and maturing liabilities. The Company's Asset and
Liability Management Committee is responsible for establishing procedures that
enable the Company to achieve its goals while adhering to prudent banking
practices and existing loan and investment policies. The Company's policy is
intended to control the exposure of its operations to changing interest rates
by attempting to maintain a position within a narrow range around an "earnings
neutral position," which is defined as the mix of assets and liabilities that
generates the net interest margin that is least affected by interest rate
changes.
 
  The Company has focused on maintaining balance between interest rate
sensitive assets and liabilities and repricing frequencies. An important
element of this focus has been to emphasize variable rate loans and
investments funded by deposits which also mature or reprice over periods of
twelve months or less.
 
                                      20
<PAGE>
 
  The following table presents, at March 31, 1998, loans and leases by
maturity in each major category of the Company's portfolio. Actual maturities
may differ from the contractual maturities shown below as a result of renewals
and prepayments. Loan renewals are evaluated in the same manner as new credit
applications.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  AT MARCH 31, 1998
                                       ----------------------------------------
                                       LESS THAN   ONE TO      OVER
                                       ONE YEAR  FIVE YEARS FIVE YEARS  TOTAL
                                       --------- ---------- ---------- --------
                                                    (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                    <C>       <C>        <C>        <C>
Commercial............................ $ 65,317   $14,139     $1,869   $ 81,325
Real estate--mortgage.................   18,195    20,853      5,840     44,888
Real estate--construction.............   31,882     1,468        --      33,350
Consumer..............................    8,637     4,108        365     13,110
Direct financing leases...............    3,245     5,923        --       9,168
                                       --------   -------     ------   --------
  Total loans and leases.............. $127,276   $46,491     $8,074   $181,841
                                       ========   =======     ======   ========
</TABLE>
 
  As of March 31, 1998, of the $54.6 million of loans and leases with
maturities of one year or more, approximately $53.3 million were fixed rate
loans and leases and $1.3 million were variable rate loans and leases.
 
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
  The following table sets forth selected statement of income data for the
periods indicated.
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                 FOR THE THREE MONTHS    FOR THE YEAR ENDED
                                    ENDED MARCH 31,         DECEMBER 31,
                                 --------------------- -----------------------
                                    1998       1997     1997    1996    1995
                                 ---------- ---------- ------- ------- -------
                                                (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                              <C>        <C>        <C>     <C>     <C>
Interest income................. $    5,377 $    3,893 $18,147 $13,711 $11,231
Interest expense................      2,018      1,561   7,016   5,323   4,400
                                 ---------- ---------- ------- ------- -------
Net interest income before
 provision for loan and lease
 losses.........................      3,359      2,332  11,131   8,388   6,831
Provision for loan and lease
 losses.........................        351        146     949     493     242
                                 ---------- ---------- ------- ------- -------
Net interest income after
 provision for loan and lease
 losses.........................      3,008      2,186  10,182   7,895   6,589
Noninterest income..............      1,005        735   3,303   1,794   1,191
Noninterest expense.............      3,015      2,446  10,387   7,827   6,632
                                 ---------- ---------- ------- ------- -------
Income before income taxes......        998        475   3,098   1,862   1,148
Provision for income taxes......        411        203   1,245     762     432
                                 ---------- ---------- ------- ------- -------
Net income...................... $      587 $      272 $ 1,853 $ 1,100 $   716
                                 ========== ========== ======= ======= =======
</TABLE>    
 
 THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1998 COMPARED TO THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31,
1997
 
  Overview. Net income increased 115.8%, to $587,000 for the three months
ended March 31, 1998 from $272,000 for the three months ended March 31, 1997.
This increase was primarily due to increases of $1.0 million in net interest
income and $270,000 in noninterest income, which were partially offset by
increases in noninterest expense and income taxes. Annualized return on
average assets and annualized return on average common equity were 0.90% and
12.98%, respectively, for the three months ended March 31, 1998, compared with
0.56% and 9.88%, respectively, for the three months ended March 31, 1997.
Total assets increased by 31.4%, to $272.9 million at March 31, 1998 from
$207.6 million at March 31, 1997, primarily as a result of an increase of
$58.5 million in net loans and leases.
 
                                      21
<PAGE>
 
  Interest Income. Interest income increased 38.1%, to $5.4 million for the
three months ended March 31, 1998 from $3.9 million for the three months ended
March 31, 1997. This increase was caused primarily by an increase of $56.4
million in average loan and lease volume, which resulted in $1.4 million of
additional interest income. The yield on average interest-earning assets
increased to 9.07% from 8.81% as a result of a change in the mix of interest-
earning assets from investments to higher yielding loans and leases. Yield on
average investment securities increased to 6.19% from 5.92%, and yield on
average loans and leases decreased to 10.07% from 10.15%.
 
  Interest Expense. Interest expense increased 29.3%, to $2.0 million for the
three months ended March 31, 1998 from $1.6 million for the three months ended
March 31, 1997, primarily due to increased volume of interest-bearing
liabilities. Average interest-bearing deposits increased $43.1 million, and
average interest-bearing liabilities increased $41.1 million, while the cost
of interest-bearing liabilities remained constant at approximately 4.50%. The
volume increase resulted in $434,000 in additional interest expense. Average
cost of interest-bearing deposits increased to 4.24% for the three months
ended March 31, 1998 from 4.02% for the three months ended March 31, 1997. The
increase in cost of interest-bearing deposits was primarily the result of an
$18.7 million increase in higher cost certificates of deposit. Average
noninterest-bearing demand accounts increased 38.3% to $64.4 million for the
three months ended March 31, 1998 from $46.6 million for the three months
ended March 31, 1997.
 
  Provision for Loan and Lease Losses. The provision for loan and lease losses
increased 140.4%, to $351,000 for the three months ended March 31, 1998 from
$146,000 for the three months ended March 31, 1997. This increase was due
primarily to the increase in total loans and leases outstanding for the
period.
 
  Noninterest Income. Noninterest income increased 36.7%, to $1.0 million for
the three months ended March 31, 1998 from $735,000 for the three months ended
March 31, 1997, primarily due to an increase of $398,000 in lease revenue
associated with operating leases. The Company believes that noninterest income
has not grown at as high a rate as loans and leases and deposits, in part
because the Company provides customers with the option of paying for services
in cash or by maintaining additional noninterest-bearing account balances.
Although the use of compensating balances in lieu of fees decreases
noninterest income, it increases the percentage of noninterest-bearing
deposits. At March 31, 1998, 29.8% of deposits at the Bank were noninterest-
bearing deposits.
 
  Noninterest Expense. Noninterest expense increased 23.3%, to $3.0 million
for the three months ended March 31, 1998 from $2.4 million for the three
months ended March 31, 1997. Of this increase, approximately $281,000 was
additional personnel costs. A substantial portion of the additional personnel
costs were due to additional staff hired to accommodate growth. In addition,
$194,000 of the noninterest expense incurred was related to depreciation
expense from operating leases.
 
 YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997 COMPARED TO YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996
 
  Overview. Net income increased 68.5%, to $1.9 million in 1997 from $1.1
million in 1996. This increase was primarily due to increases of $2.7 million
in net interest income and $1.5 million in noninterest income, which were
partially offset by increases in noninterest expense and income taxes. Return
on average assets and return on average common equity were 0.83% and 12.21%,
respectively, for 1997, compared with 0.64% and 11.47%, respectively, for
1996. Total assets increased by 38.5%, to $264.1 million at December 31, 1997
from $190.6 million at December 31, 1996, primarily as a result of an increase
of $53.3 million in net loans and leases.
 
  Interest Income. Interest income increased 32.4%, to $18.1 million in 1997
from $13.7 million in 1996. This increase was caused primarily by an increase
of $40.7 million in average loan and lease volume, which resulted in $4.1
million of additional interest income. The yield on average interest-earning
assets increased to 9.00% from 8.93% as a result of a change in the mix of
interest-earning assets from investments to higher yielding loans and leases.
Yield on average investment securities decreased to 6.07% from 6.28%, and
yield on average loans and leases decreased to 10.21% from 10.32%.
 
                                      22
<PAGE>
 
  Interest Expense. Interest expense increased 31.8%, to $7.0 million in 1997
from $5.3 million in 1996, primarily due to increased volume of interest-
bearing liabilities. Average interest-bearing deposits increased $20.1 million
and average interest-bearing liabilities increased $31.0 million, while the
cost of interest-bearing liabilities increased to 4.60% from 4.38%. The volume
increase resulted in $1.7 million in additional interest expense. The increase
in cost of liabilities was primarily the result of a $9.7 million increase in
higher cost certificates of deposit. The cost of interest-bearing deposits
increased to 4.21% in 1997 from 3.81% in 1996.
 
  Provision for Loan and Lease Losses. The provision for loan and lease losses
increased 92.5%, to $949,000 in 1997 from $493,000 in 1996. This increase was
due to the increase in total loans and leases outstanding in 1997, and was not
reflective of a deterioration of credit quality.
 
  Noninterest Income. Noninterest income increased 84.1%, to $3.3 million in
1997 from $1.8 million in 1996, primarily due to an increase of $1.1 million
in lease revenue associated with operating leases. The Company believes that
noninterest income has not grown at as high a rate as loans and leases and
deposits, in part because the Company provides customers with the option of
paying for services in cash or by maintaining additional noninterest-bearing
account balances. Although the use of compensating balances in lieu of fees
decreases noninterest income, it increases the percentage of noninterest-
bearing deposits. At December 31, 1997, 31.2% of deposits at the Bank were
noninterest-bearing deposits.
 
  Noninterest Expense. Noninterest expense increased 32.7%, to $10.4 million
in 1997 from $7.8 million in 1996. Of this increase, approximately $975,000
was additional personnel costs and $184,000 was related to increased occupancy
costs. A substantial portion of the additional personnel and occupancy costs
were due to additional staff hired, and office space leased, to accommodate
growth. In addition, $1.2 million of the noninterest expense incurred was
related to depreciation expense from operating leases.
 
 YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 COMPARED TO YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995
 
  Overview. Net income increased 53.6%, to $1.1 million in 1996 from $716,000
in 1995. This increase was primarily due to increases of $1.6 million in net
interest income and $603,000 in noninterest income, which were partially
offset by increases in noninterest expense and income taxes. Return on average
assets and return on average common equity were 0.64% and 11.47%,
respectively, for 1996, compared with 0.50% and 8.24%, respectively, for 1995.
Total assets increased by 18.8%, to $190.6 million at December 31, 1996 from
$160.4 million at December 31, 1995, primarily as a result of increases of
$23.4 million in net loans and leases and $2.1 million in operating leases.
 
  Interest Income. Interest income increased 22.1%, to $13.7 million in 1996
from $11.2 million in 1995. This increase resulted primarily from increases of
$20.1 million in average loan and lease volume and $12.0 million in the
average balance of investment securities. The loan and lease volume increase
resulted in $1.9 million of additional interest income, while the investment
securities volume increase resulted in $580,000 of additional interest income.
The yield on average interest-earning assets remained relatively constant from
1995 to 1996.
 
  Interest Expense. Interest expense increased 21.0%, to $5.3 million in 1996
from $4.4 million in 1995, primarily due to increased volume of interest-
bearing liabilities. The increases in average interest-bearing deposits of
$15.9 million and in average interest-bearing liabilities of $20.6 million
were the primary causes of the increase in interest expense. The cost of
interest-bearing liabilities increased only marginally. The volume increase
resulted in $923,000 of additional interest expense. The increase in costs of
liabilities was primarily the result of an $11.0 million increase in higher
cost certificates of deposit. The cost of interest-bearing deposits increased
only marginally.
 
  Provision for Loan and Lease Losses. The provision for loan and lease losses
increased 103.8%, to $493,000 in 1996 from $242,000 in 1995. This increase was
due to the increase in total loans and leases outstanding in 1996, and was not
reflective of a deterioration of credit quality.
 
                                      23
<PAGE>
 
  Noninterest Income. Noninterest income increased 50.6%, to $1.8 million in
1996 from $1.2 million in 1995, due, in part, to increases of $261,000 in
lease revenue associated with operating leases and $80,000 in service charges.
 
  Noninterest Expense. Noninterest expense increased 18.0%, to $7.8 million in
1996 from $6.6 million in 1995. Of this increase, approximately $898,000 was
additional personnel costs and $302,000 was related to increased occupancy
costs. A substantial portion of the additional personnel and occupancy costs
were due to additional staff hired, and office space leased, to accommodate
growth.
 
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
 
  The Company's liquidity management objective is to ensure its ability to
satisfy the cash flow requirements of depositors and borrowers and allow the
Company to meet its own cash flow needs. The Company's primary source of funds
historically has been customer deposits. Scheduled loan and lease repayments
are a relatively stable source of funds, while deposit inflows and unscheduled
loan and lease prepayments, which are influenced by fluctuations in general
interest rates, returns available on other investments, competition, economic
conditions and other factors, are relatively unstable. Company borrowings may
be used on a short-term basis to compensate for reductions in other sources of
funds (such as deposit inflows at less than projected levels). Company
borrowings may also be used on a longer term basis to support expanded lending
activities and to match the maturity or repricing intervals of assets.
 
  Deposits increased by $65.8 million or 42.3% in 1997. The Company believes
that the increase in deposits during 1997 was the result of (i) the continuing
growth of Colorado Business Bank--Boulder, (ii) the opening of Colorado
Business Bank--West and a second location in Littleton, (iii) increased
marketing activities by the Company and (iv) customer dissatisfaction with
service at large banks owned by regional bank holding companies. The Company
anticipates that it will continue to rely primarily upon customer deposits,
sales and maturities of investment securities, loan and lease sales and
payments on loans and leases, as well as retained earnings, to provide
liquidity to fund loans and leases and purchase investment securities.
 
  As of March 31, 1998, the Company had $48.0 million of certificates of
deposit ("CDs") with balances of more than $100,000 and maturities of less
than one year (21.7% of total deposits and 69.5% of total CDs). See
"Business--Deposits." Because the Company has ongoing, multiple product
banking relationships with the holders of most of these CDs, it believes that
such persons will continue to maintain the large majority of such funds on
deposit at the Bank after the CDs have matured, although there can be no
assurance that this will be the case. In the event that a large portion of
such funds were to be withdrawn from the Bank upon maturity, the Company would
address liquidity concerns by selling a portion of its portfolio of investment
securities. As of March 31, 1998, 88.1% of the Company's investment securities
mature or reprice within one year. See "Business--Investments."
 
  The Company believes that the proceeds from the Offering, together with the
Company's cash flow, will be sufficient to support its operations for the
foreseeable future. If, however, additional liquidity or regulatory capital is
needed, the Company will be required to raise such capital by obtaining
additional debt or equity financing, in either the public or private markets.
There can be no assurance that such financing will be available to the Company
upon acceptable terms or at all.
 
EFFECTS OF INFLATION AND CHANGING PRICES
 
  The primary impact of inflation on the Company's operations is increased
operating costs. Unlike most retail or manufacturing companies, virtually all
of the assets and liabilities of a financial institution such as the Bank are
monetary in nature. As a result, the impact of interest rates on a financial
institution's performance is generally greater than the impact of inflation.
Although interest rates do not necessarily move in the same
 
                                      24
<PAGE>
 
direction, or to the same extent, as the prices of goods and services,
increases in inflation generally have resulted in increased interest rates.
Over short periods of time, interest rates may not move in the same direction,
or at the same magnitude, as inflation.
 
YEAR 2000 COMPLIANCE
 
  As a result of the conversion to the Jack Henry System, which is designed to
be year 2000 compliant, the Company does not anticipate incurring any material
incremental costs in connection with year 2000 compliance. See "Risk Factors--
Conversion to New Data Processing System" and "--Year 2000 Compliance" and
"Business--Data Processing Systems."
 
RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
 
  In June 1997, SFAS No. 130, "Reporting Comprehensive Income," was issued.
SFAS No. 130 establishes standards for reporting and display of comprehensive
income and its components (revenues, expenses, gains and losses) in a full set
of general purpose financial statements. SFAS No. 130 requires that all items
that are required to be recognized under accounting standards as components of
comprehensive income be reported in a financial statement that is displayed
with the same prominence as other financial statements. SFAS No. 130 requires
that a company (a) classify items of other comprehensive income by their
nature in a financial statement and (b) display the accumulated balance of
other comprehensive income separately from retained earnings and additional
paid-in capital in the equity section of the balance sheet. This standard was
adopted in the first quarter of 1998 and did not have a significant impact on
the disclosure of operating results.
 
  Also, in June 1997, SFAS No. 131, "Disclosures about Segments of an
Enterprise and Related Information," was issued. SFAS No. 131 establishes
standards for the way that public companies report selected information about
operating segments in annual financial statements and requires that those
companies report selected information about segments in interim financial
reports issued to shareholders. It also establishes standards for related
disclosures about products and services, geographic areas and major customers.
Generally, financial information is required to be reported on the basis that
it is used internally for evaluating segment performance and deciding how to
allocate resources to segments. SFAS No. 131 requires that a public company
report a measure of segment profit or loss, certain specific revenue and
expense items and segment assets. SFAS No. 131 is effective for financial
statements for periods beginning after December 15, 1997. The Company will
adopt this standard for the year ended December 31, 1998 and does not
anticipate any significant effect on its disclosures.
 
                                      25
<PAGE>
 
                                   BUSINESS
 
GENERAL
 
  Colorado Business Bankshares, Inc. (the "Company") is a bank holding company
headquartered in Denver, Colorado that owns Colorado Business Bank, N.A. (the
"Bank"), a full-service, commercial banking institution with five locations in
the Denver metropolitan area. As of March 31, 1998, the Company had total
assets of $272.9 million, net loans and leases of $179.2 million and deposits
of $220.6 million. The Bank provides a broad range of sophisticated banking
products and services, including credit, cash management, investment, deposit
and trust products, to its targeted customer base of small- and medium-sized
businesses and high net worth individuals. Each of the Bank's locations
operates as a separate community bank, with significant local decision-making
authority. Support functions, such as accounting, data processing,
bookkeeping, credit administration, loan operations and investment and cash
management services, are provided centrally from the Company's downtown Denver
office. As a result of this operating approach, the Company believes that it
is well positioned as a community business bank, combining the elements of
personalized service found in community banks with sophisticated banking
products and services traditionally offered by larger regional banks. The
Company believes that its market position and experienced personnel give it
the potential to generate growth and financial returns in excess of industry
averages.
 
  The Company was acquired by a group of private investors in September 1994
(the "Acquisition"). At that time, the Bank's operations were conducted
through two separate banks--Equitable Bank of Littleton, located in Littleton,
Colorado, and The Women's Bank, located in downtown Denver. From December 31,
1994 to March 31, 1998, the Company's assets increased to $272.9 million from
$143.9 million, an increase of 89.6%, its net loan and lease portfolio
increased to $179.2 million from $70.6 million, an increase of 154.0%, and
deposits increased to $220.6 million (29.8% of which were noninterest-bearing
deposits) from $124.5 million, an increase of 77.2%. During that period, the
Company made several changes in operations that it believes have had a
significant positive impact on its business, including:
     
  . ASSEMBLED EXPERIENCED MANAGEMENT TEAM. The Company assembled a senior
    management team comprised primarily of experienced Colorado banking
    professionals. These individuals brought to the Company a network of
    existing relationships with Denver metropolitan area businesses.     
     
  . ESTABLISHED NEW LOCATIONS IN THE DENVER METROPOLITAN AREA. The Company
    established three new banking locations, each staffed with bankers
    experienced in their respective markets: a Boulder location, which was
    opened in November 1995, a second location in Littleton, which was opened
    in March 1997, and a location in West Denver, which was opened in
    December 1997. As of March 31, 1998, these three locations had grown to
    $53.0 million, $10.8 million and $9.7 million in assets, respectively.
        
     
  . EXPANDED PRODUCT AND SERVICE OFFERINGS. Product and service offerings
    introduced since the Acquisition include (i) equipment leasing, (ii) a
    variety of new investment options and (iii) trust and estate
    administration services, including the administration of employee benefit
    plans. In addition, the Company significantly expanded the capability of
    its commercial real estate lending department.     
     
  . CONSOLIDATED BANKS. The Company consolidated its two bank charters into
    the Bank, which was renamed "Colorado Business Bank." The Company
    believes that, by placing all of its operations under the "Colorado
    Business Bank" standard, it increased its name recognition, better
    described its market focus and eliminated duplicative regulatory
    functions and costs.     
 
GROWTH STRATEGY
 
  The Company's objective is to build a highly profitable, customer-focused
community banking network with assets in excess of $500 million by the end of
the year 2000. The Company believes that its senior management and systems
infrastructure are adequate to support growth to this level without incurring
proportionate increases in general, administrative and other noninterest
expenses. The Company plans to achieve this objective by (i) leveraging
existing customer relationships and growing the Company's core business of
providing loans and attracting deposits, (ii) de novo branching and (iii)
introducing new product lines. The
 
                                      26
<PAGE>
 
   
Company will also explore opportunities to expand through acquisitions of
existing banks. There can be no assurance, however, that any of the Company's
growth objectives will be achieved. See "Risk Factors--Risks of Growth
Strategy."     
     
  . INTERNAL GROWTH. The Company believes that conditions in the Colorado
    banking market provide it with significant opportunities for internal
    growth. The market is currently dominated by a number of large regional
    financial institutions which have acquired Colorado-based bank holding
    companies. The Company believes that this consolidation has created gaps
    in the banking industry's ability to serve certain customers in the
    Denver metropolitan area because small- and medium-sized businesses often
    are not large enough to warrant significant marketing focus and customer
    service by these large banks. In addition, the Company believes that
    these banks often do not satisfy the needs of high net worth individuals
    who desire personal attention from experienced bankers. Similarly, the
    Company believes that many of the remaining independent banks in the area
    are unable to satisfy the needs of these businesses and individuals
    because, although these banks are dedicated to customer service, they do
    not provide the sophisticated banking products and services that such
    customers require. Through its ability to combine personalized service,
    experienced personnel who are established in their community,
    sophisticated technology and a broad product line, the Company believes
    that it will continue to achieve strong internal growth by attracting
    customers currently banking at both larger and smaller financial
    institutions and expanding its business with existing customers. A
    significant amount of the Company's loan and lease growth to date has
    resulted from pre-existing relationships between customers and lending
    officers and senior management recruited by the Company.     
     
  . DE NOVO BRANCHING. The Company also intends to explore growth
    opportunities to expand through de novo branching in areas with high
    concentrations of the Company's target customers. The Company intends to
    use Colorado Business Bank--Boulder as a model for further de novo
    branching. Colorado Business Bank--Boulder opened in November 1995 with a
    staff of three experienced lending officers from the Boulder branch of a
    large regional bank. Operations are conducted in a relatively small
    office in an office building in downtown Boulder, rather than in a
    traditional, free-standing bank building, thereby substantially
    decreasing overhead. Colorado Business Bank--Boulder achieved
    profitability in eight months and had grown to $53.0 million in assets as
    of March 31, 1998.     
     
  . NEW PRODUCT LINES. In addition, the Company will seek to grow through the
    addition of new product lines. The Company's product development efforts
    are focused on providing enhanced credit, cash management, investment,
    deposit and trust products to its target customer base. For example, in
    March 1996, the Company formed CBL, an 80% owned equipment leasing
    subsidiary, which provides equipment leasing primarily to middle-market
    companies. CBL offers leasing programs for computers, telecommunications
    equipment, telephone systems, business furniture, manufacturing
    equipment, materials handling equipment and other capital equipment.
    Within the past few years, the Company has also greatly expanded its
    commercial real estate lending department to allow for the origination of
    larger and more complex real estate loans. In addition, the Company began
    to offer trust and estate administration services in March 1998. The
    Company believes that offering such complementary products allows it to
    both broaden its relationships with existing customers and attract new
    customers to its core business. In addition, the Company believes that
    the fees generated by these services will increase its noninterest
    income.     
     
  . ACQUISITIONS. The Company will consider acquisition candidates that
    present attractive opportunities to expand its business in its target
    market segment. However, the Company currently has no agreement,
    arrangement or understanding regarding the acquisition of any financial
    institution.     
 
  The Company's approach to expansion is predicated on recruiting key
personnel to lead new initiatives. While the Company normally considers an
array of new locations and product lines as potential expansion initiatives,
it generally will proceed only upon identifying quality management personnel
with a loyal customer following in the community or product line that is the
target of the initiative. The Company believes that, by focusing on
individuals who are established in their communities and are experienced in
offering sophisticated
 
                                      27
<PAGE>
 
banking products and services, it enhances its market position and adds
profitable growth opportunities with limited credit risk.
 
OPERATING STRATEGY
 
  The Company believes that it has a competitive advantage due to its market
position as a community business bank. The Company has adopted a multi-faceted
strategy to maintain and enhance this market position, the principal elements
of which include:
     
  . ASSEMBLING A TOP-QUALITY TEAM. In all areas of its operations, the
    Company focuses on attracting and retaining the highest quality
    personnel. A significant number of the Company's employees have previous
    work experience with larger banking organizations in the Denver
    marketplace and have been attracted to the Company's entrepreneurial
    culture and decentralized banking approach. The Company believes that
    such an experienced, quality team reduces the risks associated with
    pursuing its growth strategy.     
     
  . EXPANDING EXISTING BANKING RELATIONSHIPS. The Company normally is not a
    transaction lender and typically requires that borrowers enter into a
    multiple product banking relationship with the Company, including
    deposits and cash management services, in connection with the receipt of
    credit from the Bank. The Company believes that such relationships
    provide it with the opportunity to introduce its customers to a broader
    array of the products and services offered by the Company and generate
    additional noninterest income. In addition, the Company believes that
    this philosophy aids in customer retention.     
     
  . EMPHASIZING HIGH QUALITY CUSTOMER SERVICE. The Company believes that its
    ability to offer high quality customer service provides it with a
    competitive advantage over many regional banks that operate in the Denver
    metropolitan area. Customer service is emphasized in all aspects of the
    Company's operations and is an integral component of its employee
    training programs. Moreover, the Company is constantly exploring methods
    to make banking an easier and more convenient process for its customers.
    For example, the Company has recently begun to offer a courier service to
    pick up deposits for customers who are not in close proximity to any of
    the Bank's five locations or simply do not have the time to go to the
    Bank.     
     
  . CAPITALIZING ON THE USE OF TECHNOLOGY. The Company believes that it has
    been able to distinguish itself from traditional community banks
    operating in its market through the use of technology, particularly in
    the area of depository relationships. Services currently offered by the
    Bank include controlled disbursement, lock box services, repurchase
    agreements and sweep investment accounts, and the planned conversion of
    the Company's data processing system will allow it to add several new
    customer services, including upgraded P.C. Banking and cash management
    products and check and document imaging, as well as a 24-hour voice
    response system, to its product portfolio. In addition to providing
    sophisticated services for its customers, the Company utilizes technology
    extensively in its systems and operational support functions in order to
    improve customer service, maximize profitability and provide management
    with the information and analyses necessary to manage the Company's
    growth effectively.     
     
  . ACHIEVING EFFICIENCIES AND ECONOMIES OF SCALE THROUGH CENTRALIZED
    ADMINISTRATIVE AND SUPPORT OPERATIONS. The Company seeks to maximize
    operational and support efficiencies in a manner consistent with
    maintaining high quality customer service. Various management and
    administrative functions, including accounting, data processing,
    bookkeeping, credit administration, loan operations and investment and
    cash management services, have been consolidated at the Bank's downtown
    Denver office. The Company believes that this structure allows Bank
    personnel to focus on customer service and sales strategies adapted to
    each individual community that the Bank serves.     
     
  . MAINTAINING ASSET QUALITY AND CONTROLLING INTEREST RATE RISK. The Company
    seeks to maintain asset quality through a program that includes regular
    reviews of loans by responsible loan officers and monitoring of the loan
    and lease portfolio by a loan review officer who reports directly to the
    Audit Committee of the Bank's Board of Directors. As of March 31, 1998,
    the Company's ratio of nonperforming loans and leases to total loans and
    leases was 0.68%. In addition, the Company seeks to control its exposure
    to changing interest rates by attempting to maintain an interest rate
    profile within a narrow range around an earnings neutral position.     
 
                                      28
<PAGE>
 
MARKET AREA SERVED
 
  The Company's current market area is the Denver metropolitan area, which is
comprised of the counties of Denver, Boulder, Adams, Arapahoe, Douglas and
Jefferson. This area is the most densely populated in the Rocky Mountain
region. Total population is approximately 2.2 million, and the area has
experienced net immigration of over 300,000 people since 1990. Employment in
the Denver metropolitan area has become increasingly diversified across the
manufacturing, financial services, tourism, transportation, technology, cable
television, retail trade, services and government sectors. In 1997, Colorado
achieved its eleventh straight year of employment growth, with nonagricultural
employment increasing 4.0% during the year to approximately 2.0 million.
 
  The Bank has one location each in downtown Denver, Boulder and West Denver,
and two locations in Littleton. Downtown Denver is the business center of
metropolitan Denver. Boulder has one of the highest concentrations of small
businesses and affluent individuals in the Rocky Mountain region. West Denver
contains a number of newer industrial and office parks. The Littleton
locations serve a more residential area, including Highlands Ranch, one of the
fastest growing communities in the Denver metropolitan area.
   
  The Company intends to open a de novo location in the south metropolitan
Denver area by the end of 1998. In May 1998, the Company hired Kevin G. Quinn
as a Senior Vice President and intends to appoint him as President of this new
location when space is leased and the location is opened. See "Management--
Directors, Executive Officers and Key Employees." A number of areas in the
south metropolitan Denver region, including the Denver Tech Center, Inverness
and Greenwood Village, feature high concentrations of office parks and
businesses. Given the large number of high net worth individuals that work in
this area, and Mr. Quinn's previous experience, this new location will focus
on private banking services.     
 
  While the Company's expansion initiatives will continue to focus on the
Denver metropolitan area, it will consider adding locations in other
geographic regions, either through de novo branching or acquisitions.
 
LENDING ACTIVITIES
 
  General. The Company provides a broad range of commercial and retail lending
services, including commercial loans, commercial and residential real estate
construction loans, commercial and residential real estate mortgage loans,
consumer loans, revolving lines of credit and equipment lease financing. The
Company's primary lending focus is on commercial lending to small- and medium-
sized businesses that have annual sales of $2 million to $50 million and
businesses and individuals with borrowing requirements of $200,000 to $3
million. As of March 31, 1998, substantially all of the Bank's outstanding
loans and leases were to customers within the Denver metropolitan area.
 
  Interest rates charged on loans vary with the degree of risk, maturity,
underwriting and servicing costs, principal amount and extent of other banking
relationships between the Bank and the customer, and are further subject to
competitive pressures, money market rates, availability of funds and
government regulations. As of March 31, 1998, approximately 56.4% of the loans
in the Bank's portfolio were at interest rates that float with the Bank's base
rate or some other reference rate.
 
  Credit Procedures and Review. The Company addresses credit risk through
internal credit policies and procedures, including underwriting criteria,
officer and customer lending limits, a multi-layered loan approval process for
larger loans, periodic document examination, justification for any exceptions
to credit policies, loan review and concentration monitoring. In addition, the
Company provides ongoing loan officer training and review.
 
  The Company's loan approval process varies depending upon the size of the
loan. Each of the Bank's senior loan officers has the authority to approve
loans of up to $250,000. Other loan officers have the authority to approve
loans of lower amounts up to limits set by the Bank's Board of Directors.
Loans of between $250,000 and $500,000 must be approved by the Chief Executive
Officer of the Bank or the President of Colorado
 
                                      29
<PAGE>
 
Business Bank--Denver. Loans in excess of $500,000 must be approved by the
Bank's loan committee, which consists of most of the Bank's executive officers
and certain other designated officers. In cases requiring expedited treatment,
approvals may be made by a subgroup of the committee.
 
  The Company has a continuous loan review process designed to promote early
identification of credit quality problems. All loan officers are charged with
the responsibility of reviewing, no less frequently than monthly, all past due
loans in their respective portfolios. In addition, each of the loan officers
establishes a watch list of loans to be reviewed monthly by the Bank's Board
of Directors. The loan and lease portfolio is also monitored regularly by a
loan review officer who reports directly to the Audit Committee of the Bank's
Board of Directors.
 
  Loan and Lease Portfolio Composition. The following table sets forth the
composition of the Bank's loan and lease portfolio by type of loan or lease at
the dates indicated.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      AT DECEMBER 31,
                                               --------------------------------
                          AT MARCH 31, 1998         1997             1996
                          -------------------  ---------------  ---------------
                            AMOUNT       %      AMOUNT     %     AMOUNT     %
                          ----------- -------  --------  -----  --------  -----
                                       (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                       <C>         <C>      <C>       <C>    <C>       <C>
Commercial..............  $   81,325     45.4  $ 78,152   47.6  $ 58,727   53.0
Real estate --
 mortgage...............      44,888     25.1    40,262   24.6    24,491   22.1
Real estate --
 construction...........      33,350     18.6    27,786   16.9    19,119   17.3
Consumer................      13,110      7.3    11,732    7.2     8,266    7.5
Direct financing leases,
 net....................       9,168      5.1     8,407    5.1     1,805    1.6
                          ----------  -------  --------  -----  --------  -----
Loans and leases........     181,841    101.5   166,339  101.4   112,408  101.5
Less allowance for loan
 and lease losses.......      (2,630)    (1.5)   (2,248)  (1.4)   (1,660)  (1.5)
                          ----------  -------  --------  -----  --------  -----
Net loans and leases....  $  179,211    100.0  $164,091  100.0  $110,748  100.0
                          ==========  =======  ========  =====  ========  =====
</TABLE>
 
  Under federal law, the aggregate amount of loans that may be made to one
borrower by the Bank is generally limited to 15% of the Bank's unimpaired
capital, surplus, undivided profits and allowance for loan and lease losses
(the "Individual Lending Limit"). See "Supervision and Regulation--The Bank--
Restrictions on Loans to One Borrower." As of March 31, 1998, the Bank's
Individual Lending Limit was $3.4 million. To accommodate customers whose
financing needs exceed applicable lending limits, and to address portfolio
concentration concerns, the Company sells loan participations to outside
participants, including Hawthorne Colorado, Inc., an entity controlled by
Messrs. Bangert and Ross. See "Certain Transactions." At March 31, 1998,
December 31, 1997 and December 31, 1996, the outstanding balances of loan
participations sold by the Company were $12.7 million, $10.1 million and $2.9
million, respectively. The Company has retained servicing rights on all loan
participations sold. In addition, the Company may purchase loan participations
from other banks, although it has not done so to date. While the Company would
use the same analysis in deciding whether or not to purchase a participation
in a loan as it would in deciding whether to originate the same loan, the
purchase of a significant amount of loan participations by the Company could
decrease its control over the magnitude of risk in its loan and lease
portfolio because the Company would not be able to control the ongoing
relationship with the borrower after purchasing the participation.
 
  In the ordinary course of business, the Company enters into various types of
transactions that include commitments to extend credit. The Company applies
the same credit standards to these commitments as it applies to its other
lending activities and has included these commitments in its lending risk
evaluations. The Company's exposure to credit loss under commitments to extend
credit is represented by the amount of these commitments.
 
  Commercial Loans. Commercial lending, which is the primary focus of the
Company's lending activities, consists of loans to small- and medium-sized
businesses in a wide variety of industries. The Bank's areas of emphasis in
commercial lending include, but are not limited to, loans to wholesalers,
manufacturers and business
 
                                      30
<PAGE>
 
services companies. The Company provides a broad range of commercial loans,
including lines of credit for working capital purposes and term loans for the
acquisition of equipment and other purposes. Commercial loans are generally
collateralized by inventory, accounts receivable, equipment, real estate and
other commercial assets and may be supported by other credit enhancements such
as personal guarantees. However, where warranted by the overall financial
condition of the borrower, loans may be made on an unsecured basis. Terms of
commercial loans generally range from one to five years, and the majority of
such loans have floating interest rates.
 
  Real Estate Mortgage Loans. Real estate mortgage loans include various types
of loans for which the Company holds real property as collateral. The Company
generally restricts commercial real estate lending activity to owner-occupied
properties or to investor properties that are owned by customers with which
the Company has a current banking relationship. Commercial real estate loans
are made at both fixed and floating interest rates, with maturities generally
ranging from five to seven years. The Bank's underwriting standards generally
require that a commercial real estate loan not exceed 75% of the appraised
value of the property securing the loan. In addition, the Company originates
SBA loans on owner-occupied properties with maturities of up to 25 years in
which the SBA finances up to 90% of the project cost and takes a security
position that is subordinated to that of the Company. The Company also
originates residential mortgage loans on a limited basis as a service to
preferred customers.
 
  The primary risks of real estate mortgage loans include the borrower's
inability to pay, material decreases in the value of the real estate that is
being held as collateral and significant increases in interest rates, which
may make the real estate mortgage loan unprofitable. The Company does not
actively seek permanent mortgage loans for its own portfolio, but, rather,
syndicates such loans to other financial institutions. However, on those
permanent mortgage loans that are extended, the Company attempts to apply
conservative loan-to-value ratios and obtain personal guarantees, and
generally requires a strong history of debt servicing capability and fully
amortized terms of 15 years or less.
 
  Real Estate Construction Loans. The Company originates loans to finance
construction projects involving one- to four-family residences. It provides
financing to residential developers that the Company believes have
demonstrated a favorable record of accurately projecting completion dates and
budgeting expenses. The Company provides loans for the construction of both
pre-sold projects and projects built prior to the location of a specific
buyer, although loans for projects built prior to the identification of a
specific buyer are provided on a more selective basis. Residential
construction loans are due upon the sale of the completed project and are
generally collateralized by first liens on the real estate and have floating
interest rates. In addition, these loans are generally secured by personal
guarantees to provide an additional source of repayment. The Company generally
requires that a permanent financing commitment be in place before it makes a
residential construction loan. Moreover, the Company generally monitors
construction draws monthly and inspects property to ensure that construction
is progressing as specified. The Company's underwriting standards generally
require that the principal amount of the loan be no more than 75% of the
appraised value of the completed construction project. Values are determined
only by approved, independent appraisers.
 
  The Company also originates loans to finance the construction of multi-
family, office, industrial and tax credit projects. These projects are
predominantly owned by the user of the property or are sponsored by
financially strong developers who maintain an ongoing banking relationship
with the Company. The Company's underwriting standards generally require that
the principal amount of these loans be no more than 75% of appraised value.
 
  The Company selectively provides loans for the acquisition and development
of land for residential building projects by financially strong developers who
maintain an ongoing banking relationship with the Company. The Company's
underwriting standards generally require that the principal amount of these
loans be no more than 65% of the appraised value.
 
  Consumer Loans. The Company provides a broad range of consumer loans to
customers, including personal lines of credit, credit and debit cards, home
equity loans and automobile loans. In order to improve
 
                                      31
<PAGE>
 
customer service, continuity and customer retention, management of commercial
banking customers often work with the same loan officer who handles their
commercial banking relationship.
 
  Direct financing leases. The Company, through CBL, provides lease financing
as a complement to its other lending services. These leases are structured as
either operating or direct financing leases, with the Company retaining title
to the leased assets as security for payment. Only direct financing leases are
included in the Company's loan and lease portfolio. Operating leases are
reported as investment in operating leases. Although the leasing program acts
as a stand-alone product, it offers the opportunity to introduce leasing
customers to other products and services offered by the Bank.
 
NONPERFORMING ASSETS
 
  The Company's nonperforming assets consist of nonaccrual loans and leases,
restructured loans and leases, past due loans and leases and other real estate
owned. The following table sets forth information with respect to these assets
at the dates indicated.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         AT DECEMBER 31,
                                          AT MARCH 31, ----------------------
                                              1998      1997    1996    1995
                                          ------------ ------  ------  ------
                                               (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                       <C>          <C>     <C>     <C>
Nonperforming loans and leases:
  Loans and leases 90 days or more
   delinquent and still accruing
   interest..............................    $  --     $  --   $  --   $  --
  Nonaccrual loans and leases............       441       470     234     --
  Restructured loans and leases..........       795       341     348     616
                                             ------    ------  ------  ------
    Total nonperforming loans and
     leases..............................     1,236       811     582     616
Real estate acquired by foreclosure......       --        --      109     310
                                             ------    ------  ------  ------
    Total nonperforming assets...........    $1,236    $  811  $  691  $  926
                                             ======    ======  ======  ======
Allowance for loan and lease losses......    $2,630    $2,248  $1,660  $1,392
                                             ======    ======  ======  ======
Ratio of nonperforming assets to total
 assets..................................      0.45%     0.31%   0.36%   0.58%
Ratio of nonperforming loans and leases
 to total loans and leases...............      0.68      0.49    0.52    0.69
Ratio of allowance for loan and lease
 losses to total loans and leases........      1.45      1.35    1.48    1.57
Ratio of allowance for loan and lease
 losses to nonperforming loans and
 leases..................................    212.78    277.19  285.22  225.97
</TABLE>
 
  Accrual of interest is discontinued on a loan or lease when management
believes, after considering economic and business conditions and collection
efforts, that the borrower's financial condition is such that the collection
of interest is doubtful. A delinquent loan or lease is generally placed on
nonaccrual status when it becomes 90 days past due. When a loan or lease is
placed on nonaccrual status, all accrued and unpaid interest on the loan or
lease is reversed and deducted from earnings as a reduction of reported
interest income. No additional interest is accrued on the loan or lease
balance until the collection of both principal and interest becomes reasonably
certain. When the issues relating to a nonaccrual loan or lease are finally
resolved, there may ultimately be an actual write down or charge-off of the
principal balance of the loan or lease, which may necessitate additional
charges to earnings.
 
  Restructured loans and leases are those for which concessions, including the
reduction of interest rates below a rate otherwise available to the borrower,
or the deferral of interest or principal, have been granted due to the
borrower's weakened financial condition. Interest on restructured loans and
leases is accrued at the restructured rates when it is anticipated that no
loss of original principal will occur.
 
  The additional interest income that would have been recognized for the three
months ended March 31, 1998 and the year ended December 31, 1997 if the
Company's nonaccrual and restructured loans and leases had been
 
                                      32
<PAGE>
 
current in accordance with their original terms, and the interest income on
nonaccrual and restructured loans and leases actually included in the
Company's net income for such periods, were not material.
 
  Real estate acquired by foreclosure includes deeds acquired under agreements
with delinquent borrowers. Real estate acquired by foreclosure is appraised
annually and is carried at the lesser of (i) fair market value less
anticipated closing costs or (ii) the balance of the related loan. As of March
31, 1998, the Company did not own any real estate acquired in foreclosure
proceedings or under agreements with delinquent borrowers.
 
  Potential Problem Loans and Leases. A potential problem loan or lease is one
where management has serious doubts about the borrower's future performance
under the terms of the loan or lease contract. These loans and leases are
current as to the principal and interest and, accordingly, are not included in
the nonperforming asset categories. Management monitors these loans and leases
closely to protect the Company. However, further deterioration may result in
the loan or lease being classified as nonperforming. At March 31, 1998, the
Company held 16 loans and leases considered by management to be potential
problem loans or leases with principal totaling approximately $1.5 million.
The level of potential problem loans and leases is factored into the
determination of the adequacy of the allowance for loan and lease losses.
 
ANALYSIS OF ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN AND LEASE LOSSES
 
  The allowance for loan and lease losses represents management's recognition
of the risks of extending credit and its evaluation of the quality of the loan
and lease portfolio. The allowance for loan and lease losses is maintained at
a level considered adequate to provide for anticipated loan and lease losses,
based on various factors affecting the loan and lease portfolio, including a
review of problem loans and leases, business conditions, historical loss
experience, evaluation of the quality of the underlying collateral and holding
and disposal costs. The allowance is increased by additional charges to
operating income and reduced by loans and leases charged off, net of
recoveries.
 
                                      33
<PAGE>
 
  The following table sets forth information regarding changes in the
Company's allowance for loan and lease losses for the periods indicated.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               FOR THE
                                             FOR THE THREE    YEAR ENDED
                                             MONTHS ENDED    DECEMBER 31,
                                               MARCH 31,   ------------------
                                                 1998        1997      1996
                                             ------------- --------   -------
                                                 (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                          <C>           <C>        <C>
Balance of allowance for loan and lease
 losses at beginning of period.............    $  2,248    $  1,660   $ 1,392
                                               --------    --------   -------
Charge-offs:
  Commercial...............................           2         356       275
  Real estate--mortgage....................         --          --        --
  Real estate--construction................         --          --         47
  Consumer.................................          17          38         6
  Direct financing leases..................         --          --        --
                                               --------    --------   -------
    Total charge-offs......................          19         394       328
                                               --------    --------   -------
Recoveries:
  Commercial...............................          50           6        61
  Real estate--mortgage....................         --          --        --
  Real estate--construction................         --          --         39
  Consumer.................................         --           27         3
  Direct financing leases..................         --          --        --
                                               --------    --------   -------
    Total recoveries.......................          50          33       103
                                               --------    --------   -------
Net (charge-offs) recoveries...............          31        (361)     (225)
Provisions for loan and lease losses
 charged to operations.....................         351         949       493
                                               --------    --------   -------
Balance of allowance for loan and lease
 losses at end of period...................    $  2,630    $  2,248   $ 1,660
                                               ========    ========   =======
Ratio of net (charge-offs) recoveries to
 average loans and leases..................        0.02%      (0.26)%   (0.23)%
                                               ========    ========   =======
Average loans and leases outstanding during
 the period................................    $173,526    $138,787   $98,075
                                               ========    ========   =======
</TABLE>
 
  The Company's lending personnel are responsible for continuous monitoring of
the quality of the loan and lease portfolio. The loan and lease portfolio is
monitored regularly by a loan review officer who reports directly to the Audit
Committee of the Bank's Board of Directors. In addition, the Bank's Board of
Directors reviews monthly reports of delinquent and potential problem loans.
These reviews assist in the identification of potential and probable losses
and also in the determination of the level of the allowance for loan and lease
losses. The allowance for loan and lease losses is based primarily on
management's estimates of possible loan and lease losses from the foregoing
processes and historical experience. These estimates involve ongoing judgments
and may be adjusted in the future, depending on economic conditions and
changing portfolio performance. At March 31, 1998, the allowance for loan and
lease losses equaled 1.45% of total loans and leases. See "--Lending
Activities."
   
  Federal regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination
process, review the Company's loans and allowance for loan and lease losses.
The Company believes that its allowance for loan and lease losses is adequate
to cover anticipated loan and lease losses. However, management may determine
a need to increase the allowance for loan and lease losses, or regulators,
when reviewing the Bank's loan and lease portfolio in the future, may request
the Bank to increase such allowance. Either of these events could adversely
affect the Company's earnings. Further, there can be no assurance that the
Company's actual loan and lease losses will not exceed its allowance for loan
and lease losses.     
 
                                      34
<PAGE>
 
  Additions to the allowance for loan and lease losses, which are charged as
expenses on the Company's income statement, are made periodically to maintain
the allowance at the appropriate level, based on management's analysis of the
potential risk in the loan and lease portfolio. The allowance for loan and
lease losses is reduced by loans and leases charged off, net of amounts
recovered from such loans and leases. The amount of the allowance is a
function of the levels of loans and leases outstanding, the level of
performing loans and leases, historical loan and lease loss experience, the
amount of loan and lease losses actually charged against the reserve during a
given period and current and anticipated economic conditions.
 
  The following table sets forth the allowance for loan and lease losses by
category to the extent specific allocations have been determined relative to
particular loans or leases. The unallocated portion of the allowance is
intended to cover loss exposure related to potential problem loans or leases
for which no specific allocation has been estimated and for the possible risk
in the remainder of the loan and lease portfolio. Management believes that any
allocation of the allowance into categories lends an appearance of precision
which does not exist. The allocation table should not be interpreted as an
indication of the specific amounts, by loan or lease classification, to be
charged to the allowance. Management believes that the table is a useful
device for assessing the adequacy of the allowance as a whole. The table has
been derived in part by applying historical loan and lease loss ratios to both
internally classified loans and leases and the portfolio as a whole in
determining the allocation. The allowance is utilized as a single unallocated
allowance available for all loans and leases.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     AT DECEMBER 31,
                                                    --------------------------------------------------
                             AT MARCH 31, 1998                 1997                     1996
                         -------------------------- -------------------------- -----------------------
                                        LOANS OR                   LOANS OR                LOANS OR
                                        LEASES IN                  LEASES IN               LEASES IN
                                      CATEGORY AS A              CATEGORY AS A           CATEGORY AS A
                                       PERCENTAGE                 PERCENTAGE              PERCENTAGE
                                        OF TOTAL                   OF TOTAL                OF TOTAL
                            AMOUNT     GROSS LOANS     AMOUNT     GROSS LOANS  AMOUNT OF  GROSS LOANS
                         OF ALLOWANCE  AND LEASES   OF ALLOWANCE  AND LEASES   ALLOWANCE  AND LEASES
                         ------------ ------------- ------------ ------------- --------- -------------
                                                    (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                      <C>          <C>           <C>          <C>           <C>       <C>
Commercial..............    $1,074         44.7%       $  811         47.0%     $  510        52.2%
Real estate --
 mortgage...............       336         24.7           296         24.2         189        21.8
Real estate --
 construction...........       387         18.4           318         16.7         237        17.0
Consumer................        90          7.2            73          7.0          51         7.4
Direct financing
 leases.................       --           5.0           --           5.1         --          1.6
Unallocated.............       743          --            750          --          673         --
                            ------        -----        ------        -----      ------       -----
  Total.................    $2,630        100.0%       $2,248        100.0%     $1,660       100.0%
                            ======        =====        ======        =====      ======       =====
</TABLE>
 
INVESTMENTS
 
  The Company's investment portfolio is comprised of A-rated or better
securities, with the majority of the portfolio either maturing or repricing
within a one- to five-year period. The Company's practice is to purchase U.S.
Treasury and U.S. Governmental Agency securities exclusively. The primary
factors considered in the overall management of the securities portfolio are
liquidity, yield, volatility, asset/liability management and the ability to
pledge securities for public deposits. Since November 1994, the Company has
selected primarily mortgage-backed securities which reprice annually. The
Company's investment strategies are reviewed at the quarterly meetings of the
Asset and Liability Management Committee.
 
  The Company's mortgage-backed securities are typically classified as
available for sale. The Company's goals with respect to its securities
portfolio are to (i) maximize safety and soundness, (ii) provide adequate
liquidity, (iii) maximize rate of return within the constraints of applicable
liquidity requirements and(iv) complement asset/liability management
strategies.
 
                                      35
<PAGE>
 
  The following table sets forth the book value of the securities in the
Company's investment portfolio by type at the dates indicated.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                        AT     AT DECEMBER 31,
                                                     MARCH 31, ---------------
                                                       1998     1997    1996
                                                     --------- ------- -------
                                                          (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                  <C>       <C>     <C>
U.S. Treasury and U.S. government agency
 securities.........................................  $ 6,448  $ 7,009 $15,822
Mortgage-backed securities..........................   47,218   48,354  38,611
State and municipal bonds...........................    1,199    1,198   1,919
Federal Reserve and FHLB stock......................    2,012    2,012   1,054
Other investments...................................      208      211     165
                                                      -------  ------- -------
  Total.............................................  $57,085  $58,784 $57,571
                                                      =======  ======= =======
</TABLE>
 
  The following table sets forth the book value, maturity and approximate
yield of the securities in the Company's investment portfolio at March 31,
1998.
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                                        MATURITY
                          --------------------------------------------------------------------
                            WITHIN 1 YEAR      1-5 YEARS        5-10 YEARS     OVER 10 YEARS   TOTAL BOOK VALUE
                          ----------------- ---------------- ---------------- ---------------- -----------------
                          AMOUNT  YIELD (1) AMOUNT YIELD (1) AMOUNT YIELD (1) AMOUNT YIELD (1) AMOUNT  YIELD (1)
                          ------- --------- ------ --------- ------ --------- ------ --------- ------- ---------
                                                          (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                       <C>     <C>       <C>    <C>       <C>    <C>       <C>    <C>       <C>     <C>
U.S. Treasury and U.S.
 government agency
 securities.............  $ 4,000   5.63%   $2,015   5.52%    $433     5.76%  $  --     -- %   $ 6,448   5.60%
Mortgage-backed
 securities (2).........   46,086   6.22     1,132   5.92      --       --       --     --      47,218   6.22
State and municipal
 bonds..................      210   6.27       978   7.06       11    10.20      --     --       1,199   6.95
Federal Reserve and
 FHLB stock.............      --     --        --     --       --       --     2,012   6.73      2,012   6.73
Other investments.......      --     --        --     --       --       --       208   9.50        208   9.50
                          -------           ------            ----            ------           -------
 Total..................  $50,296   6.18%   $4,125   5.99%    $444     5.87%  $2,220   6.99%   $57,085   6.19%
                          =======           ======            ====            ======           =======
</TABLE>    
- --------
 
(1) Yields do not include adjustments for tax-exempt interest, because the
    amount of such interest is not material.
(2) Mortgage-backed securities are generally one year or less adjustable rate
    securities.
 
                                      36
<PAGE>
 
DEPOSITS
 
  The Company's primary source of funds has historically been customer
deposits. The Company offers a variety of accounts for depositors, which are
designed to attract both short-term and long-term deposits. These accounts
include CDs, savings accounts, money market accounts, checking and negotiable
order of withdrawal accounts and individual retirement accounts. At March 31,
1998, $65.8 million, or 29.8%, of the Company's deposits were noninterest-
bearing deposits. The Company believes that it receives a large amount of
noninterest-bearing deposits because it provides customers with the option of
paying for services in cash or by maintaining additional noninterest-bearing
account balances. However, since proposed changes in banking regulations would
allow for the payment of interest on commercial accounts, there can be no
assurance that the Company will be able to continue to maintain such a high
level of noninterest-bearing deposits. Interest-bearing accounts earn interest
at rates established by management based on competitive market factors and its
desire to increase or decrease certain types of maturities or deposits. The
Company has not actively sought brokered deposits and does not currently
intend to do so. The following table presents the average balances for each
major category of deposits and the weighted average interest rates paid for
interest-bearing deposits for the periods indicated.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                             FOR THE THREE             FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                              MONTHS ENDED      ---------------------------------------------
                             MARCH 31, 1998              1997                   1996
                         ---------------------- ---------------------- ----------------------
                                    WEIGHTED               WEIGHTED               WEIGHTED
                         AVERAGE     AVERAGE    AVERAGE     AVERAGE    AVERAGE     AVERAGE
                         BALANCE  INTEREST RATE BALANCE  INTEREST RATE BALANCE  INTEREST RATE
                         -------- ------------- -------- ------------- -------- -------------
                                                (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                      <C>      <C>           <C>      <C>           <C>      <C>
NOW and money market
 accounts............... $ 79,414     3.28%     $ 66,222     3.23%     $ 63,037     3.09%
Savings.................    6,103     2.59         5,780     2.63         5,669     2.65
Certificates of deposit
 under $100,000.........   19,504     5.04        16,942     5.18         9,872     4.51
Certificates of deposit
 $100,000
 and over...............   51,317     5.62        35,936     5.80        26,227     5.53
                         --------               --------               --------
  Total interest-bearing
   deposits.............  156,338     4.24       124,880     4.21       104,805     3.81
Noninterest-bearing
 demand deposits........   64,420      --         54,706      --         41,070      --
                         --------               --------               --------
  Total deposits........ $220,758     3.00%     $179,586     2.93%     $145,875     2.74%
                         ========               ========               ========
</TABLE>
 
  The following table sets forth the amount and maturity of CDs that had
balances of more than $100,000 at March 31, 1998.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   AT MARCH 31,
   REMAINING MATURITY                                                  1998
   ------------------                                             --------------
                                                                  (IN THOUSANDS)
   <S>                                                            <C>
   Less than three months........................................    $ 30,149
   Three months up to six months.................................       9,921
   Six months up to one year.....................................       7,898
   One year and over.............................................       2,099
                                                                     --------
     Total.......................................................    $ 50,067
                                                                     ========
</TABLE>
 
                                      37
<PAGE>
 
SHORT-TERM BORROWINGS
 
  The Company's short-term borrowings include federal funds purchased and
securities sold under agreements to repurchase, which generally mature within
60 days. The following table sets forth information relating to the Company's
short-term borrowings.
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                                          AT OR FOR THE YEAR
                                         AT OR FOR THE    ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                       THREE MONTHS ENDED --------------------
                                         MARCH 31, 1998     1997       1996
                                       ------------------ ---------  ---------
                                               (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                    <C>                <C>        <C>
Federal funds purchased..............       $ 5,000             --   $   6,226
Weighted average interest rate at
 period end..........................          4.76%            --        5.87%
Securities sold under agreement to
 repurchase..........................       $16,085       $  13,024  $   3,422
Weighted average interest rate at
 period end..........................          4.91%           4.58%      4.89%
Maximum borrowings outstanding at any
 month end during the period.........       $14,795       $  25,251  $  11,990
Average borrowings outstanding for
 the period..........................        12,237          17,602      7,323
Weighted average interest rate for
 the period..........................          4.88%           5.21%      5.92%
</TABLE>    
 
COMPETITION
 
  The banking business in the Denver metropolitan area is highly competitive
and is currently dominated by a number of large regional financial
institutions, including Norwest Corporation, U.S. Bancorp, Inc. (formerly
First Bank System) Banc One Corporation, Zions Bancorporation, KeyCorp and
Wells Fargo & Company. In addition to these regional banks, there are a number
of community banks that operate in the area, including, Guaranty Bank and
Trust Company, Colorado State Bank & Trust, First Bank Holding Company of
Colorado and Union Bank and Trust. The Company competes for loans and deposits
with other commercial banks (including those listed above), savings and loan
associations, finance companies, credit unions and mortgage bankers. In
addition to the traditional financial institutions, the Company also competes
for loans with brokerage and investment banking companies, nonfinancial
institutions, including retail stores that maintain their own credit programs,
and governmental agencies that make available low cost or guaranteed loans to
certain borrowers. Particularly in times of high interest rates, the Company
also faces significant competition for deposits from sellers of short-term
money market securities and other corporate and government securities.
 
  By virtue of their larger capital bases or affiliation with larger multi-
bank holding companies, many of the Company's competitors have substantially
greater capital resources and lending limits than the Company and perform
other functions that the Company offers only through correspondents.
Interstate banking is permitted in Colorado, and, since January 1, 1997,
unlimited state-wide branch banking is permitted. As a result, the Company may
experience greater competition in its primary service areas. The Company's
business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows may be
adversely affected by an increase in competition. Moreover, recently enacted
and proposed legislation has focused on expanding the ability of participants
in the banking industry to engage in other lines of business. The enactment of
such legislation could put the Company at a competitive disadvantage because
it may not have the capital to participate in other lines of business to the
same extent as more highly capitalized bank holding companies.
 
  The Company competes for loans and deposits principally through the scope
and quality of the services it provides, interest rates and loan fees. The
Company believes that its emphasis on personalized service enables it to
compete favorably with larger financial institutions in its target market of
small- to medium-sized businesses and high net worth individuals. The Company
actively solicits deposit-related clients and competes for deposits by
offering customers personal attention and professional service. The Company
also believes that its technology-based cash management and short-term
investment products provide it with a competitive advantage over other local
community banks.
 
                                      38
<PAGE>
 
DATA PROCESSING SYSTEMS
 
  The Company is currently in the process of converting to the Jack Henry
System, a data processing system that will provide the Company with the
ability to offer more advanced services such as upgraded P.C. banking, a voice
response system and check and document imaging. The Company anticipates
investing approximately $1.8 million in converting to the Jack Henry System.
The Company is scheduled to begin operating on the Jack Henry System in June
1998. In addition, unlike the Company's current data processing system, the
Jack Henry System is designed to be year 2000 compliant. The Company has
formed a Year 2000 Committee to oversee issues relating to its year 2000
compliance program. The program calls for all critical systems to be certified
as year 2000 compliant by December 31, 1998. See "Risk Factors--Conversion to
New Data Processing System" and "--Year 2000 Compliance."
 
FACILITIES
 
  The Company presently leases an aggregate of approximately 59,000 square
feet. The Company's downtown Denver facility is approximately 40,500 square
feet, of which 26,600 square feet are leased from Kesef, LLC ("Kesef"), an
entity in which Jack Stern and Evan Makovsky (both directors of the Bank) and
Messrs. Bangert, Lorenz and Ross each own a 20% interest, for approximately
$22,200 per month. The remaining 13,900 square feet are subleased from another
tenant in the building for approximately $3,400 per month. Kesef purchased the
building from its previous owners in January 1998. The initial term of the
lease with Kesef expires in June 1998, with an option to renew for an
additional five-year term at 90% of then-current market rates. Rather than
exercising its renewal option, the Company is currently renegotiating the
lease to provide for a longer term and to provide the Company with the
opportunity to improve the property. The Company anticipates that the new
lease will have a ten-year term and will include an option by the Company to
renew for additional terms. The new lease will also provide the Company with
the right to make improvements on the leased space and to offset the costs of
such improvements against lease payments on an amortized basis. Payments under
the new lease will be approximately $28,500 per month at the commencement of
the lease. Once the improvements have been made, monthly rental payments will
increase to approximately $42,000 per month, subject to escalation provisions
in subsequent years. In connection with the renegotiation of this lease, the
Company will be moving some of its operations to other spaces within the same
building and will be leasing approximately 5,000 square feet of additional
space. See "Certain Transactions."
 
  The Company also leases facilities for its Boulder, West Denver and two
Littleton locations. The two Littleton facilities include approximately 6,800
and 2,600 square feet of space, respectively, and current lease payments are
approximately $7,600 and $1,800 per month, respectively. Colorado Business
Bank--Boulder's facilities include approximately 2,900 square feet of space in
downtown Boulder. Current lease payments are approximately $4,000 per month
and will increase to $4,600 at the expiration of the current lease term in
2000. The Company plans to lease additional space to accommodate the
anticipated growth of Colorado Business Bank--Boulder. Colorado Business
Bank--West's facilities include approximately 3,500 square feet of space in
Golden. Current lease payments are $3,000 per month.
 
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
   
  Periodically and in the ordinary course of business, various claims and
lawsuits which are incidental to the Company's business are brought against,
or by, the Company. The Company believes that the ultimate liability, if any,
resulting from such claims or lawsuits will not have a material adverse effect
on the business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows of
the Company.     
 
EMPLOYEES
 
  As of March 31, 1998, the Company had 122 employees, including 114 full-time
employees. None of the Company's employees is covered by a collective
bargaining agreement, and the Company believes that its relationship with its
employees is good.
 
                                      39
<PAGE>
 
                                  MANAGEMENT
 
DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND KEY EMPLOYEES
 
  The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the
Company's directors, executive officers and key employees.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME                                   AGE                POSITION
- ----                                   ---                --------
<S>                                    <C> <C>
Steven Bangert........................  41 Chairman of the Board and Chief
                                            Executive Officer
Jonathan C. Lorenz....................  46 Vice Chairman of the Board and
                                            President
Virginia K. Berkeley..................  45 President of Colorado Business Bank--
                                            Denver and Director
Richard J. Dalton.....................  41 Senior Vice President and Chief
                                            Financial Officer
Lyne B. Andrich.......................  31 Vice President and Controller
Darrell J. Schulte....................  43 President of Colorado Business Bank--
                                            Littleton
Charles E. Holmes.....................  41 President of Colorado Business Bank--
                                            Boulder
Andrew L. Bacon.......................  42 President of Colorado Business Bank--
                                            West
K. Denise Albrecht....................  45 President of Community Trust Division
Richard M. Hall, Jr. .................  51 President of Colorado Business
                                            Leasing, Inc.
Kevin G. Quinn........................  37 Senior Vice President
Mark S. Kipnis........................  50 Director
Noel N. Rothman.......................  68 Director
Howard R. Ross........................  72 Director
Michael B. Burgamy....................  52 Director
Timothy J. Travis.....................  53 Director
</TABLE>
 
  There are no family relationships among any of the directors, executive
officers or key employees of the Company.
 
  Steven Bangert has served as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive
Officer of the Company since September 1994. He also serves as Chairman of the
Board of the Bank and a director of CBL. From August 1992 to present, Mr.
Bangert has served as President and a director of Western Capital Holdings,
Inc. ("Western Capital"), formerly the bank holding company for River Valley
Bank--Texas, located in McAllen, Texas. From March 1992 to July 1996, Mr.
Bangert also served as Chairman of the Board of River Valley Bank--Texas, and,
from April 1988 to July 1994, he served as Vice Chairman of the Board and
Chief Executive Officer of River Valley Savings Bank--Illinois, a financial
institution with approximately $500 million of assets and locations in Chicago
and Peoria, Illinois. From February 1994 to July 1996, Mr. Bangert served as a
director and member of the Executive Committee of Lafayette American Bank. He
holds a B.S. degree in business administration from the University of
Nebraska--Lincoln.
 
  Jonathan C. Lorenz has served as President and Vice Chairman of the Company
since March 1995. He also serves as Vice Chairman of the Board and Chief
Executive Officer of the Bank. From June 1993 to March 1995, Mr. Lorenz
pursued various business investment opportunities, including the formation of
First Western Growth Fund, a small business investment company. Mr. Lorenz was
employed by Colorado National Bank ("CNB") in various capacities from
September 1976 to June 1993. Mr. Lorenz' last position with CNB was Senior
Vice President and Manager of Corporate Banking, where he was responsible for
a $600 million commercial and real estate loan portfolio. He holds a B.A.
degree in political science and an M.B.A. from the University of Colorado.
 
  Virginia K. Berkeley has served as President of Colorado Business Bank--
Denver since May 1995 and as a director of the Company since October 1995. Ms.
Berkeley served as Senior Vice President and Manager of
 
                                      40
<PAGE>
 
Business Banking of Bank One, Denver from January 1994 to May 1995. From
December 1986 to January 1994, Ms. Berkeley held several positions with CNB,
including President of CNB--Tech Center and CNB--Northeast. She holds a B.S.
degree in economics from Purdue University and an M.B.A. from the University
of Oklahoma.
 
  Richard J. Dalton has served as the Senior Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer of the Company since January 1997. From August 1992 to
January 1998, Mr. Dalton was the Vice President of Western Capital. From
August 1992 to June 1996, Mr. Dalton served as the President and Chief
Executive Officer of River Valley Bank--Texas. He holds a B.S. degree in
business administration from the University of Southern Colorado and an M.B.A.
from the University of Colorado.
 
  Lyne B. Andrich has served as Vice President and Controller of the of the
Company since May 1997. From November 1995 to May 1997, Ms. Andrich was a line
of business reporting manager for Key Bank. From June 1989 to November 1995,
Ms. Andrich served as an accounting manager and internal auditor for Bank One,
Colorado, N.A. She holds a M.S. degree in accounting from the University of
Florida.
 
  Darrell J. Schulte has served as President of Colorado Business Bank--
Littleton since May 1985. Mr. Schulte has been employed in the banking
industry for 21 years. He holds a B.S. degree in finance from Colorado State
University.
 
  Charles E. Holmes has served as President of Colorado Business Bank--Boulder
since June 1995. Mr. Holmes has been employed in the banking industry for 17
years. Mr. Holmes served as Vice President and Manager of Commercial Lending
at Bank One--Boulder from June 1992 to June 1995, where he was responsible for
a $300 million loan portfolio. He holds a B.S. degree in business
administration from Oklahoma State University.
 
  Andrew L. Bacon has served as President of Colorado Business Bank--West
since November 1997. From March 1997 to September 1997, Mr. Bacon served as
Senior Vice President of UMB Bank. From June 1988 to December 1996, Mr. Bacon
served as Senior Vice President in charge of the Commercial Banking Division
at Norwest Bank--Golden. He holds a B.A. degree in business administration
from Colorado State University.
 
  K. Denise Albrecht has served as the President of Community Trust Division
of the Company since October 1997. From May 1993 to October 1997, Ms. Albrecht
served as Senior Vice President and Denver Market Manager of the Trust
Department of Bank One, Colorado, N.A. Ms. Albrecht was employed, in several
capacities, with CNB from December 1988 to May 1993. From January 1993 to May
1993, Ms. Albrecht served as President of Colorado Capital Advisors, a
subsidiary of CNB, and, from September 1988 to January 1993, she served as
Vice President and Institutional Services Division Manager for CNB. She holds
a B.S. degree in business administration and an M.B.A. from Northern Michigan
University.
 
  Richard M. Hall, Jr. has served as President of CBL, the Company's equipment
leasing subsidiary, since March 1996 and has been employed in the banking and
financial services industry for 21 years. Prior to leading the formation of
CBL, Mr. Hall served as President of Evergreen Lifetime Income, Inc., a
development stage company in the reverse mortgage industry which was formed in
March 1995. From March 1992 to February 1995, Mr. Hall was employed by CNB,
where he served as a commercial banking division manager and as President of
Colorado National Leasing, Inc., a subsidiary of CNB. He holds B.S. and M.S.
degrees in business administration from Wichita State University and a
graduate degree in banking from the Southwestern Graduate School of Banking at
Southern Methodist University.
 
  Kevin G. Quinn has served as a Senior Vice President of the Company since
May 1998. The Company intends to appoint Mr. Quinn as President of Colorado
Business Bank--South when that location is opened. Prior to joining the
Company, Mr. Quinn had been employed by Norwest Bank of Colorado since June
1988. From June 1996 to May 1998, Mr. Quinn was a Senior Vice President of
Norwest, responsible for a private banking department with assets in excess of
$295 million. From October 1991 to June 1996, Mr. Quinn was a Vice President
and the Bank Manager of a Norwest Bank location in downtown Denver with assets
of approximately
 
                                      41
<PAGE>
 
$75 million. Mr. Quinn holds a Business Administration degree in general
business from the University of Northern Colorado and a graduate degree in
banking from the Stonier Graduate School of Banking of the University of
Delaware.
 
  Mark S. Kipnis has served as a director of the Company since September 1994.
Since January 1998, he has also served as Vice President, Secretary and
Corporate Counsel for Hollinger International Inc., a newspaper publishing
company that is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange. From January
1979 to December 1997, Mr. Kipnis was a partner of the Chicago-based law firm
of Holleb & Coff. He holds a B.S. degree in accounting from the University of
Illinois and a J.D. degree from Northwestern University School of Law.
 
  Noel N. Rothman has served as a director of the Company since September
1994. Mr. Rothman is a private investor and has served as President of Namtor,
Inc. ("Namtor"), a closely held business services company in which he is a
principal shareholder, since September 1985. Mr. Rothman attended Wayne
University.
 
  Howard R. Ross has served as a director of the Company since September 1994.
Mr. Ross is a private investor and has served as President of H.R. Financial,
Inc., a closely held investment company in which he is the principal
shareholder, since May 1994. From August 1992 to present, he has served as a
director of Western Capital, and, from August 1992 to July 1995, he served as
Vice Chairman of the Board of River Valley Bank--Texas. He holds a B.S. degree
in mechanical engineering from the Illinois Institute of Technology.
 
  Michael B. Burgamy has served as a director of the Company since May 1998.
From 1991 to present, Mr. Burgamy has served as the president of Perky-Pet
Products Co., a manufacturer of pet products and supplies. From January 1976
to November 1994, he was President of CGS Distributing, Inc., a wholesale
distributor of lawn and garden supplies. He holds a B.S. degree in engineering
management from the United States Air Force Academy.
 
  Timothy J. Travis has served as a director of the Company since May 1998.
Since November 1981, Mr. Travis has been the President and Chief Executive
Officer of Eaton Metal Products Company, with which he has been employed since
1958.
 
CLASSIFIED BOARD OF DIRECTORS
 
  The Company's Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws provide for a classified
board of directors. Three class I directors, Messrs. Lorenz and Kipnis, and
Ms. Berkeley, are serving for an initial term expiring at the 1999 annual
meeting. Three class II directors, Messrs. Bangert, Rothman and Travis, are
serving for an initial term expiring at the 2000 annual meeting. Two class III
directors, Messrs. Ross and Burgamy, are serving for an initial term expiring
at the 2001 annual meeting. Subsequent terms will be for successive three-year
periods.
 
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
 
  Each director who is not an employee of the Company is paid a director's fee
of $1,000 for each meeting of the Board of Directors, or any committee
thereof, attended by such director. Directors of the Company who also serve as
officers do not receive additional compensation for their service as
directors. All directors are reimbursed for expenses incurred in attending
board and committee meetings.
 
COMMITTEES
 
  The Company's Board of Directors has an Executive Committee, an Audit
Committee and a Compensation Committee.
 
  The Executive Committee is comprised of Messrs. Bangert, Lorenz and Ross.
The Executive Committee is authorized to exercise certain of the powers of the
Board of Directors, subject to ratification by the full Board, and meets as
needed, usually in situations where it is not feasible to take action by the
full Board.
 
                                      42
<PAGE>
 
  The Audit Committee is comprised of Messrs. Kipnis, Burgamy and Travis. The
Audit Committee is responsible for (i) making recommendations to the Board of
Directors concerning the engagement of independent public accountants, (ii)
consulting with the Company's independent public accountants with regard to
the plan of audit, (iii) consulting directly with the Company's Chief
Financial Officer on any matter that the Audit Committee or the Chief
Financial Officer deems appropriate in connection with carrying out the audit,
(iv) reviewing the results of audits of the Company by its independent public
accountants and certain regulatory agencies, (v) discussing audit
recommendations with management and reporting results of its reviews to the
Board of Directors, and (vi) performing such other functions as may be
prescribed by the Board of Directors.
 
  The Compensation Committee is comprised of Messrs. Ross, Rothman, Burgamy
and Travis. The Compensation Committee is authorized to review the
compensation of the executive officers and key employees of the Company and
the Bank and to make recommendations to the Board of Directors concerning
salaries, stock option grants and other forms of compensation, review
recommendations to the Board of Directors concerning the compensation of
directors and to perform such other functions as the Board of Directors may
direct.
 
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
 
  The following table summarizes the compensation that the Company paid to its
chief executive officer and each of its four next most highly compensated
executive officers (the "Named Executive Officers") for the year ended
December 31, 1997.
 
                          SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                                            ANNUAL COMPENSATION
                                                            --------------------
NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION                            YEAR   SALARY     BONUS
- ---------------------------                            ---- ---------- ---------
<S>                                                    <C>  <C>        <C>
Steven Bangert, Chief Executive Officer............... 1997 $  125,000 $     --
Jonathan C. Lorenz, President......................... 1997    145,000    39,000
Virginia K. Berkeley, President of Colorado
 Business Bank--Denver................................ 1997    106,000    25,000
Richard M. Hall, Jr., President of Colorado Business
 Leasing, Inc......................................... 1997     99,837    26,236
Darrell J. Schulte, President of Colorado
 Business Bank--Littleton............................. 1997     90,000    15,000
</TABLE>    
 
  The following table summarizes the value of the options held at the end of
1997 by the Named Executive Officers. None of the Named Executive Officers
exercised any options during 1997.
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                               NUMBER OF SECURITIES      VALUE OF UNEXERCISED
                              UNDERLYING UNEXERCISED     IN-THE-MONEY OPTIONS
                              OPTIONS AT END OF 1997      AT END OF 1997 (1)
                             ------------------------- -------------------------
NAME                         EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE
- ----                         ----------- ------------- ----------- -------------
<S>                          <C>         <C>           <C>         <C>
Steven Bangert..............   28,275          --       $279,300     $    --
Jonathan C. Lorenz..........   56,785       19,086       560,918      188,528
Virginia K. Berkeley........   11,781       16,494       113,875      155,425
Richard M. Hall, Jr.........      --           --            --           --
Darrell J. Schulte..........    4,948        9,661        47,628       87,178
</TABLE>    
- --------
   
(1) Value based on the difference between $12.00 (the initial public offering
    price) and the option exercise price, multiplied by the number of shares
    of Common Stock subject to such option.     
 
                                      43
<PAGE>
 
STOCK INCENTIVE PLANS
 
  1995 and 1997 Plans. In 1995 and 1997, respectively, the Company adopted a
1995 Incentive Stock Option Plan (the "1995 Plan") and a 1997 Incentive Stock
Option Plan (the "1997 Plan") to provide long-term incentives in the form of
stock options to the key employees of the Company and its subsidiaries. The
1995 and 1997 Plans provide for the authorization of an aggregate of 298,961
shares of Common Stock for issuance thereunder.
 
  The 1995 and 1997 Plans, which are identical, except with respect to the
number of shares authorized for issuance thereunder, are both administered by
the Compensation Committee. Subject to the terms of the 1995 or 1997 Plan (as
applicable), the Compensation Committee determines the key employees to whom
options are granted, the number of shares subject to the options, the type of
consideration to be paid to the Company upon exercise of options, and the term
of any option (which cannot exceed ten years). One-fourth of the options
included in each grant under either the 1995 Plan or the 1997 Plan vest on
each of the first four anniversaries of the grant.
 
  Under both the 1995 and 1997 Plans, the Company may grant incentive stock
options ("Incentive Stock Options") intended to qualify under Section 422 of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Incentive Stock Options may not
be granted at an exercise price of less than the fair market value of the
Common Stock on the date of grant and may not have a term exceeding ten years.
The exercise price of Incentive Stock Options granted to holders of more than
10% of the Common Stock must be at least 110% of the fair market value of the
Common Stock on the date of the grant, and the term of these options cannot
exceed five years. Incentive Stock Options granted pursuant to either the 1995
or 1997 Plan may not be exercised more than three months after the option
holder ceases to be an employee of the Company or its subsidiaries, except
that, in the event of the death or permanent and total disability of the
option holder, the option may be exercised by the holder (or his or her
estate, as the case may be) for a period of up to one year after the date of
death or permanent and total disability.
 
  As of March 31, 1998, options had been granted under the 1995 and 1997 Plans
to purchase 249,764 shares of Common Stock at a weighted average exercise
price of $3.20 per share.
 
  Both the 1995 and 1997 Plans provide that the total number of shares covered
by such plan, the number of shares covered by each option or performance award
and the exercise price per share will be proportionately adjusted by the
Company in the event of a stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend or
similar capital adjustment effected without receipt of consideration by the
Company.
 
  1998 Plan. The Colorado Business Bankshares, Inc. 1998 Stock Incentive Plan
(the "1998 Plan") was adopted by the Board of Directors in April 1998 and
approved by the shareholders of the Company in May 1998. As currently in
effect, the maximum number of shares authorized to be issued under the 1998
Plan is 225,000 shares of Common Stock, and the maximum number of shares
underlying awards that may be granted to an individual employee in a calendar
year is 22,500 shares of Common Stock. As of March 31, 1998, no awards had
been granted under the 1998 Plan. The exercise price for options granted under
the 1998 Plan must be at least equal to 100% of the fair market value of the
Common Stock on the date of grant. The 1998 Plan permits the granting of stock
options, including Incentive Stock Options and non-qualified stock options.
The purpose of the 1998 Plan is to reward and provide incentives for
directors, executive officers and key employees of the Company by providing
them with an opportunity to acquire an equity interest in the Company, thereby
increasing their personal interest in its continued success and progress.
 
  The 1998 Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee, which has the
sole and complete authority to select the employees (including executive
officers) and directors who will receive awards under the 1998 Plan. The
Compensation Committee has the authority to determine the number of stock
options to be granted to eligible individuals, whether the options will be
Incentive Stock Options or non-qualified stock options, and the terms and
conditions of the options (which may vary from grantee to grantee). The number
of shares available under the 1998 Plan and the exercise price of the options
granted thereunder are subject to adjustment to reflect stock splits, stock
dividends, recapitalizations, mergers or other major corporate actions.
 
                                      44
<PAGE>
 
  The Compensation Committee also has the authority under the 1998 Plan to
grant stock appreciation rights ("SARs") to employees. SARs confer on the
holder a right to receive, upon exercise, the excess of the fair market value
of one share of Common Stock on the date of exercise over the grant price of
the SAR as specified by the Compensation Committee, which price may not be
less than 100% of the fair market value of one share of Common Stock on the
date of grant of the SAR. The grant price, term, methods of exercise, dates of
exercise, methods of settlement and any other terms and conditions of any SAR
are determined by the Compensation Committee.
 
  The Compensation Committee is also authorized to grant restricted stock,
restricted stock units, performance awards, dividend equivalents or other
stock-based awards pursuant to the 1998 Plan.
 
  The Board of Directors may discontinue, amend, or suspend the 1998 Plan in a
manner consistent with the its provisions, provided such changes do not
violate the federal or state securities laws.
 
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS
 
  The Company has entered into employment agreements with each of Jonathan C.
Lorenz, Virginia K. Berkeley, Richard M. Hall, Jr. and Darrell J. Schulte.
Each such agreement is terminable at will by the Company or the employee and
provides for annual salary, the use of a Company automobile, expenses related
to membership at a country, health or social club and eligibility for a bonus
and stock option grants. Each such agreement provides that, during the term of
the agreement and for one year thereafter, the employee is prohibited from
soliciting any employees or customers of the Company or the Bank. In the event
that the Company terminates the employment agreement for reasons other than
"for cause," or the Company constructively discharges the employee (for
example, by materially decreasing his or her responsibilities or decreasing
his or her compensation) or the employee's employment is terminated because of
disability or death, the Company is required to pay the employee one full year
of salary (including bonus) and maintain all other benefits for one full year
after termination. Moreover, each such employment agreement requires the
Company to make a lump sum payment to such employee in an amount equal to a
multiple of such employee's annual compensation in the event that their
employment is terminated within two years of the occurrence of certain types
of changes of control of the Company or the Bank. As of March 31, 1998, the
estimated payments that would be due to Mr. Lorenz, Ms. Berkeley, Mr. Hall and
Mr. Schulte upon a termination of employment after such a change in control
were $653,000, $385,000, $101,000 and $236,000, respectively.
 
LIMITATION OF DIRECTORS' AND OFFICERS' LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION
 
  The Company's Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws provide that the Company
will indemnify its directors and officers to the fullest extent now or
hereafter permitted by Colorado law. Under such provisions, any director or
officer who, in his or her capacity as such, is made, or threatened to be
made, a party to any suit or proceeding will be indemnified if such director
or officer acted in good faith and in a manner reasonably believed to be in,
or not opposed to, the best interests of the Company and, with respect to any
criminal proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe that his or her
conduct was unlawful. The Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws and Colorado law
further provide that such indemnification is not exclusive of any other rights
to which such individuals may be entitled under the Articles of Incorporation,
Bylaws, any agreement, insurance policies, vote of shareholders or
disinterested directors or otherwise.
 
  In addition, the Articles of Incorporation provide that, to the fullest
extent now or hereafter permitted by Colorado law, the Company's directors
will not be liable for monetary damages for breach of their fiduciary duty of
care to the Company and its shareholders. This provision in the Articles of
Incorporation does not eliminate the directors' fiduciary duty of care, and,
in appropriate circumstances, equitable remedies such as an injunction or
other forms of non-monetary relief would remain available under Colorado law.
Each director will continue to be subject to liability for breach of his or
her duty of loyalty to the Company and its shareholders for acts or omissions
not in good faith or involving intentional misconduct or knowing violations of
law, for certain activities prohibited by Colorado law (relating primarily to
the unlawful payment of dividends or repurchase of
 
                                      45
<PAGE>
 
stock), or for any transaction from which the director derived an improper
personal benefit. This provision also does not affect a director's
responsibilities under any other laws, such as the federal securities laws or
state or federal environmental laws.
 
  The Company believes that these provisions are necessary to attract and
retain qualified individuals to serve as directors. In addition, such
provisions allow directors to perform their duties in good faith, without
concern for the application of monetary liability on a retrospective basis in
the event that a court determines that their conduct was negligent.
 
  There is no pending litigation or proceeding involving a director, officer,
employee or other agent of the Company as to which indemnification is being
sought. The Company is not aware of any other threatened litigation that may
result in claims for indemnification by any director, officer, employee or
other agent.
 
  The Company maintains directors' and officers' liability insurance with a $5
million limit per year per occurrence. The Company pays annual premiums and
expenses relating to the policy of approximately $17,500 per year. There can
be no assurance that coverage will continue to be available at a cost that the
Company considers reasonable.
 
  Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
may be provided to directors, officers or persons controlling the Company
pursuant to the foregoing provisions, the Company has been informed that, in
the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission, such indemnification is
against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore,
unenforceable.
 
                                      46
<PAGE>
 
                             CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS
 
  The executive officers, key employees, directors and principal shareholders
of the Company, members of their immediate family and businesses in which they
hold controlling interests are customers of the Company, and it is anticipated
that such parties will continue to be customers of the Company in the future.
All outstanding loans and extensions of credit by the Company to these parties
were made in the ordinary course of business in accordance with applicable
laws and regulations and on substantially the same terms, including interest
rates and collateral, as those prevailing at the time for comparable
transactions with unaffiliated persons, and, in the Company's opinion, do not
involve more than the normal risk of collectibility or present other
unfavorable features. At March 31, 1998, the aggregate balance of the
Company's loans and advances under existing lines of credit to these parties
was approximately $1.4 million, or 0.8% of the Company's total loans and
leases.
 
  In consideration for their agreement to personally guarantee the Company's
$10.5 million loan from ANB, Messrs. Bangert and Ross were each paid $2,500
per quarter for each of the first three quarters of 1995. Messrs. Bangert and
Ross agreed to forego further payment for the guarantees as of October 1995,
and ANB released them from such guarantees, effective July 1996.
   
  From time to time, Hawthorne Colorado, Inc. ("Hawthorne"), an entity
controlled by Messrs. Bangert and Ross, purchases participations in loans
originated by the Company that the Company does not fund fully because of its
legal lending limit or in order to manage portfolio concentration. To date,
Hawthorne has participated in 14 real estate loans, with an aggregate
participation commitment of $12.2 million, of which six loans, with an
aggregate balance of $3.6 million, were outstanding as of March 31, 1998. The
Company believes that the terms of such participations were commensurate with
what would be negotiated in similar transactions between unrelated third
parties. Hawthorne receives interest on the portion of such loans funded by it
at the same rate as the Bank does on the portion that it funds. In addition,
Hawthorne receives a share of origination fees for such loans.     
 
  The Company leases 26,600 square feet of its downtown Denver facility from
Kesef, an entity in which Jack Stern and Evan Makovsky (both directors of the
Bank) and Messrs. Bangert, Lorenz and Ross each own a 20% interest, for
approximately $22,200 per month. Kesef purchased the building from its
previous owners in January 1998. The initial term of this lease expires in
June 1998, with an option to renew for an additional five-year term at 90% of
then-current market rates. Rather than exercising its renewal option, the
Company is currently renegotiating the lease to provide for a longer term and
to provide the Company with the opportunity to improve the property. The
Company anticipates that the new lease will have a ten-year term and will
include an option by the Company to renew for additional terms. The new lease
will also provide the Company with the right to make improvements on the
leased space and to offset the costs of such improvements against lease
payments on an amortized basis. Payments under the new lease will be
approximately $28,500 per month at the commencement of the lease. Once the
improvements have been made, monthly rental payments will increase to
approximately $42,000 per month, subject to escalation provisions in
subsequent years. In connection with the renegotiation of this lease, the
Company will be moving some of its operations to other spaces within the
office building and will be leasing approximately 5,000 square feet of
additional space.
 
  In July 1997, the Bank committed to purchase up to $500,000 of limited
partnership interests in Prairie Capital Mezzanine Fund, L.P. ("Prairie
Capital"), an investment fund, having $24 million in total capital
commitments, that makes subordinated debt and preferred stock investments in a
wide variety of small businesses throughout the United States. Prairie Capital
is licensed as a Small Business Investment Company (an "SBIC"). The Company
intends to refer companies in its market area requiring this type of
investment capital to Prairie Capital. As of March 31, 1998, the Bank's
aggregate investment in Prairie Capital was $93,000, and the Bank was subject
to additional capital calls pursuant to which it may be required to invest
additional capital of $407,000 in the fund. Messrs Bangert and Ross, Mr. Ross'
wife and Namtor, an entity controlled by Mr. Rothman, have made individual
capital commitments to the fund in amounts of $2 million, $2 million, $50,000
and $1.5 million, respectively, and own interests in the fund proportionate to
their capital commitments. Messrs.
 
                                      47
<PAGE>
 
Bangert and Ross act as consultants to Prairie Capital. Their services consist
primarily of assisting in the identification and review of investments to be
made by the fund. To date, Messrs. Bangert and Ross have each received $60,000
in consulting fees from Prairie Capital, and they are each entitled to receive
a final payment of $20,000 in June 1998. In addition, Messrs. Bangert and Ross
are members of the advisory board of Prairie Capital. The general partner of
Prairie Capital has agreed to make certain payments to the Bank, Messrs.
Bangert and Ross, Ms. Ross and Namtor (pro rata, in proportion to their
respective investments in the fund) following the liquidation of the fund in
the event that they do not realize an internal rate of return of at least 25%
on their respective investments.
 
                                      48
<PAGE>
 
                          SUPERVISION AND REGULATION
 
  The Company and the Bank are extensively regulated under federal and
Colorado law. These laws and regulations are primarily intended to protect
depositors and federal deposit insurance funds, not shareholders of the
Company. The following information summarizes certain material statutes and
regulations affecting the Company and the Bank and is qualified in its
entirety by reference to the particular statutory and regulatory provisions.
Any change in applicable laws, regulations or regulatory policies may have a
material adverse effect on the business, financial condition, results of
operations and cash flows of the Company and the Bank. The Company is unable
to predict the nature or extent of the effects that fiscal or monetary
policies, economic controls or new federal or state legislation may have on
its business and earnings in the future.
 
THE HOLDING COMPANY
 
  General. The Company is a bank holding company registered under the Bank
Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended (the "BHCA"), and is subject to
regulation, supervision and examination by the Board of Governors of the
Federal Reserve System (the "FRB"). The Company is required to file an annual
report with the FRB and such other reports as the FRB may require pursuant to
the BHCA.
 
  Acquisitions. As a bank holding company, the Company is required to obtain
the prior approval of the FRB before acquiring direct or indirect ownership or
control of more than 5% of the voting shares of a bank or bank holding
company. The FRB will not approve any acquisition, merger or consolidation
that would result in substantial anti-competitive effects, unless the anti-
competitive effects of the proposed transaction are outweighed by a greater
public interest in meeting the needs and convenience of the public. In
reviewing applications for such transactions, the FRB also considers
managerial, financial, capital and other factors, including the record of
performance of the applicant and the bank or banks to be acquired under the
Community Reinvestment Act of 1977, as amended (the "CRA"). See "--The Banks--
Community Reinvestment Act."
 
  The Riegle-Neal Interstate Banking and Branching Efficiency Act of 1994, as
amended (the "1994 Act"), which became effective September 29, 1995, displaces
state laws governing interstate bank acquisitions. Under the 1994 Act, a bank
holding company can acquire a bank outside of its home state without regard to
local law. Thus, an out-of-state holding company could acquire the Bank, and
the Company could acquire a bank outside of Colorado.
 
  All acquisitions pursuant to the 1994 Act require regulatory approval. In
reviewing applications under the 1994 Act, an applicant's record under the CRA
must be considered, and a determination must be made that the transaction will
not result in any violations of federal or state antitrust laws. In addition,
there is a limit of 25% on the amount of deposits in insured depository
institutions in Colorado that can be controlled by any bank or bank holding
company.
 
  The 1994 Act also permits bank subsidiaries of a bank holding company to act
as agents for affiliated institutions by receiving deposits, renewing time
deposits, closing loans, servicing loans and receiving payments on loans. As a
result, a relatively small Colorado bank owned by an out-of-state holding
company could make available to customers in Colorado some of the services of
a larger affiliated institution located in another state.
 
  Permissible Activities. A bank holding company may not engage in, or acquire
direct or indirect control of more than 5% of the voting shares of any company
engaged in, a non-banking activity, unless such activity has been determined
by the FRB to be closely related to banking or managing banks. The FRB has
identified certain non-banking activities in which a bank holding company may
engage without notice or prior approval of the FRB.
 
  Capital Adequacy. The FRB monitors, on a consolidated basis, the capital
adequacy of bank holding companies that have total assets in excess of $150
million by using a combination of risk-based and leverage ratios. Failure to
meet the capital guidelines may result in the application by the FRB of
supervisory or
 
                                      49
<PAGE>
 
enforcement actions. Under the risk-based capital guidelines, different
categories of assets, including certain off-balance sheet items, such as loan
commitments in excess of one year and letters of credit, are assigned
different risk weights, based generally on the perceived credit risk of the
asset. These risk weights are multiplied by corresponding asset balances to
determine a "risk-weighted" asset base. For purposes of the risk-based capital
guidelines, total capital is defined as the sum of "Tier 1" and "Tier 2"
capital elements, with Tier 2 capital being limited to 100% of Tier 1 capital.
Tier 1 capital includes, with certain restrictions, common shareholders'
equity, perpetual preferred stock (no more than 25% of Tier 1 capital being
comprised of cumulative preferred stock or trust preferred stock) and minority
interests in consolidated subsidiaries. Tier 2 capital includes, with certain
limitations, perpetual preferred stock not included in Tier 1 capital, certain
maturing capital instruments and the allowance for loan and lease losses
(limited to 1.25% of risk-weighted assets). The regulatory guidelines require
a minimum ratio of total capital to risk-weighted assets of 8% (of which at
least 4% must be in the form of Tier 1 capital). The FRB has also implemented
a leverage ratio, which is defined to be a company's Tier 1 capital divided by
its average total consolidated assets. The minimum required leverage ratio for
top-rated bank holding companies is 3%, but most companies are required to
maintain an additional cushion of at least 100 to 200 basis points.
 
  The table below sets forth the Company's ratios of (i) total capital to
risk-weighted assets, (ii) Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets and (iii)
Tier 1 leverage ratio, at March 31, 1998, and as adjusted to give effect to
the Offering.
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                                     AT MARCH 31, 1998
                                            -----------------------------------
                                                   AS ADJUSTED FOR THE MINIMUM
RATIO                                       ACTUAL    OFFERING (1)     REQUIRED
- -----                                       ------ ------------------- --------
<S>                                         <C>    <C>                 <C>
Total capital to risk-weighted assets......  8.2%         15.3%          8.0%
Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets.....  6.9          14.0           4.0
Tier 1 leverage ratio......................  5.2          10.5           3.0
</TABLE>    
- --------
   
(1) As adjusted to reflect the Offering and the application of the estimated
    net proceeds therefrom.     
 
  Support of Banks. As discussed below, the Bank is also subject to capital
adequacy requirements. Under the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
Improvement Act of 1991 (the "FDICIA"), the Company could be required to
guarantee the capital restoration plan of the Bank, should the Bank become
"undercapitalized," as defined in the FDICIA and the regulations thereunder.
See "--The Bank--Capital Adequacy." The Company's maximum liability under any
such guarantee would be the lesser of 5% of the Bank's total assets at the
time it became undercapitalized or the amount necessary to bring the Bank into
compliance with the capital plan. The FRB also has stated that bank holding
companies are subject to the "source of strength doctrine," which requires
bank holding companies to serve as a source of "financial and managerial"
strength to their subsidiary banks.
 
  The FDICIA requires the federal banking regulators to take "prompt
corrective action" with respect to capital-deficient institutions. In addition
to requiring the submission of a capital restoration plan, the FDICIA contains
broad restrictions on certain activities of undercapitalized institutions
involving asset growth, acquisitions, branch establishment and expansion into
new lines of business. With certain exceptions, an insured depository
institution is prohibited from making capital distributions, including
dividends, and is prohibited from paying management fees to control persons,
if the institution would be undercapitalized after any such distribution or
payment.
 
  Monitoring of Year 2000 Compliance. Bank regulatory agencies have begun to
monitor bank holding companies' and banks' readiness for the year 2000 as part
of the regular examination process. In the event that a bank holding company
or a bank is determined not to be satisfactorily prepared for the year 2000,
it will be required to submit a written plan establishing a timetable for year
2000 compliance and periodic progress reports on its efforts to implement the
plan. Failure to formulate a satisfactory plan, or to implement the plan
successfully, could result in an enforcement action.
 
                                      50
<PAGE>
 
THE BANKS
 
  General. The Bank is a national banking association, the deposits of which
are insured by the Bank Insurance Fund of the FDIC (the "FDIC"), and is
subject to supervision, regulation and examination by the Office of the
Comptroller of the Currency (the "OCC") and by the FDIC. Pursuant to such
regulation, the Bank is subject to special restrictions, supervisory
requirements and potential enforcement actions. The FRB's supervisory
authority over the Company can also affect the Bank.
 
  Branching. The Colorado Revised Statutes were amended in 1991 to phase in
open branching over a six-year period. Colorado law also provides a phase-in
schedule for the conversion of an affiliate bank into a branch bank. Banks
desiring to establish a de novo branch bank have been allowed to do so since
January 1, 1993, though only one branch bank could initially be created. Since
January 1, 1997, no limitations are placed on the number of branches a bank
may establish, and any bank which has had its charter approved or
conditionally or preliminarily approved on or after April 1, 1991, may, upon
30 days' written notice to the Colorado banking board or banking commissioner,
be converted to a branch of any bank.
 
  Community Reinvestment Act. The CRA requires the Bank to adequately meet the
credit needs of the communities in which it operates. The CRA allows
regulators to reject an applicant seeking, among other things, to make an
acquisition or establish a branch, unless it has performed satisfactorily
under the CRA. Federal regulators regularly conduct examinations to assess the
performance of financial institutions under the CRA. In its most recent CRA
examination, the Bank received a satisfactory rating.
 
  Transactions with Affiliates. The Bank is subject to Section 23A of the
Federal Reserve Act, which limits the amount of loans to, investments in, and
certain other transactions with, affiliates of the Bank, requires certain
levels of collateral for such loans or transactions, and limits the amount of
advances to third parties that are collateralized by the securities or
obligations of affiliates, unless the affiliate is a bank and is at least 80%
owned by the Company. If the affiliate is a bank and is at least 80% owned by
the Company, such transactions are generally exempted from these restrictions,
except as to "low quality" assets, as defined under the Federal Reserve Act,
and transactions not consistent with safe and sound banking practices. In
addition, Section 23A generally limits transactions with affiliates of the
Bank to 10% of the Bank's capital and surplus and generally limits all
transactions with affiliates to 20% of the Bank's capital and surplus.
 
  Section 23B of the Federal Reserve Act requires that certain transactions
between the Bank and any non-bank affiliate must be on substantially the same
terms, or at least as favorable to the Bank, as those prevailing at the time
for comparable transactions with, or involving, non-affiliated companies or,
in the absence of comparable transactions, on terms and under circumstances,
including credit standards, that in good faith would be offered to, or would
apply to, non-affiliated companies. The aggregate amount of the Bank's loans
to its officers, directors and principal shareholders (or their affiliates) is
limited to the amount of its unimpaired capital and surplus, unless the FDIC
determines that a lesser amount is appropriate.
 
  A violation of the restrictions of Section 23A or Section 23B of the Federal
Reserve Act may result in the assessment of civil monetary penalties against
the Bank, or a person participating in the conduct of the affairs of the Bank
or the imposition of an order to cease and desist.
 
  Dividend Restrictions. Dividends paid by the Bank are expected to provide
substantially all of the Company's cash flow. The approval of the OCC is
required prior to the declaration of any dividend by the Bank if the total of
all dividends declared by the Bank in any calendar year exceeds the total of
its net profits of that year combined with the retained net profits for the
preceding two years. In addition, the FDICIA provides that the Bank cannot pay
a dividend if it will cause the Bank to be "undercapitalized," as discussed
below.
 
  Examinations. The OCC periodically examines and evaluates national banks.
Based upon such an evaluation, the examining regulator may revalue the assets
of an insured institution and require that it establish specific reserves to
compensate for the difference between the value determined by the regulator
and the book value of such assets.
 
                                      51
<PAGE>
 
  Capital Adequacy. Federal regulations establish minimum requirements for the
capital adequacy of depository institutions that are generally the same as
those established for bank holding companies. See "--The Holding Company--
Capital Adequacy." Banks with capital ratios below the required minimum are
subject to certain administrative actions, including the termination of
deposit insurance and the appointment of a receiver, and may also be subject
to significant operating restrictions pursuant to regulations promulgated
under the FDICIA. See "--The Holding Company--Support of Banks."
 
  The following table sets forth the capital ratios of the Bank at March 31,
1998, and as adjusted to give effect to the Offering.
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                                     AT MARCH 31, 1998
                                            -----------------------------------
                                                   AS ADJUSTED FOR THE MINIMUM
RATIO                                       ACTUAL    OFFERING (1)     REQUIRED
- -----                                       ------ ------------------- --------
<S>                                         <C>    <C>                 <C>
Total capital to risk-weighted assets......  11.6%        14.5%          8.0%
Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets.....  10.3         13.2           4.0
Tier 1 leverage ratio......................   7.7         10.0           4.0
</TABLE>    
- --------
   
(1) As adjusted to reflect the Offering and the application of the estimated
    net proceeds therefrom.     
   
  Pursuant to the FDICIA, regulations have been adopted defining five capital
levels: well capitalized, adequately capitalized, undercapitalized,
significantly undercapitalized and critically undercapitalized. Increasingly
severe restrictions are placed on a depository institution as its capital
level classification declines. An institution is critically undercapitalized
if it has a tangible equity to total assets ratio less than or equal to 2%. An
institution is adequately capitalized if it has a total risk-based capital
ratio less than 10%, but greater than or equal to 8%, or a Tier 1 risk-based
capital ratio less than 6%, but greater than or equal to 4% or a leverage
ratio less than 5%, but greater than or equal to 4% (3% in certain
circumstances). An institution is well capitalized if it has a total risk-
based capital ratio of 10% or greater, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 6%
or greater, and a leverage ratio of 5% or greater, and the institution is not
subject to an order, written agreement, capital directive or prompt corrective
action directive to meet and maintain a specific capital level for any capital
measure. Under these regulations, as of March 31, 1998, the Bank was well
capitalized, which classification places no significant restrictions on the
Bank's activities.     
 
  Internal Operating Requirements. Federal regulations promote the safety and
soundness of individual institutions by specifically addressing, among other
things: (1) internal controls, information systems and internal audit systems;
(2) loan documentation; (3) credit underwriting; (4) interest rate exposure;
(5) asset growth; and (6) compensation and benefit standards for management
officials.
 
  Real Estate Lending Evaluations. Federal regulators have adopted uniform
standards for the evaluation of loans secured by real estate or made to
finance improvements to real estate. The Bank is required to establish and
maintain written internal real estate lending policies consistent with safe
and sound banking practices and appropriate for its size and the nature and
scope of its operations. The regulations establish loan to value ratio
limitations on real estate loans, which are equal to or higher than the loan
to value limitations established by the Company.
 
  Deposit Insurance Premiums. Under current regulations, FDIC-insured
depository institutions that are members of the FDIC pay insurance premiums at
rates based on their assessment risk classification, which is determined, in
part, based on the institution's capital ratios and, in part, on factors that
the FDIC deems relevant to determine the risk of loss to the FDIC. Assessment
rates range from $0 to $0.27 per $100. The Bank currently does not pay an
assessment rate on insured deposits. This classification for determination of
assessment rate may be reviewed semi-annually.
 
  Restrictions on Loans to One Borrower. Under federal law, the aggregate
amount of loans that may be made to one borrower by the Bank is generally
limited to 15% of its unimpaired capital, surplus, undivided
 
                                      52
<PAGE>
 
profits and allowance for loan and lease losses. The Bank seeks participations
to accommodate borrowers whose financing needs exceed the Bank's lending
limits.
 
  Monitoring of Year 2000 Compliance. Banking regulators monitor the year 2000
compliance of the Bank in the same manner as they do the compliance of the
Company. See "--The Holding Company--Monitoring of Year 2000 Compliance."
 
CHANGING REGULATORY STRUCTURE
 
  Regulation of the activities of national and state banks and their holding
companies imposes a heavy burden on the banking industry. The FRB, OCC and
FDIC all have extensive authority to police unsafe or unsound practices and
violations of applicable laws and regulations by depository institutions and
their holding companies. These agencies can assess civil monetary penalties,
issue cease and desist or removal orders, seek injunctions and publicly
disclose such actions. Moreover, the authority of these agencies has expanded
in recent years, and the agencies have not yet fully tested the limits of
their powers.
 
  The laws and regulations affecting banks and bank holding companies have
changed significantly in recent years, and there is reason to expect that
changes will continue in the future, although it is difficult to predict the
outcome of these changes. From time to time, various bills are introduced in
the United States Congress with respect to the regulation of financial
institutions. Certain of these proposals, if adopted, could significantly
change the regulation of banks and the financial services industry. In
particular, recently enacted and proposed legislation has focused on expanding
the ability of participants in the banking industry to engage in other lines
of business. The enactment of such legislation could put the Company at a
competitive disadvantage because it may not have the capital to participate in
other lines of business to the same extent as more highly capitalized bank
holding companies. The Company cannot predict whether any of these proposals
will be adopted or, if adopted, how these proposals would affect the Company.
 
MONETARY POLICY
 
  The Monetary policy of the FRB has a significant effect on the operating
results of bank holding companies and their subsidiaries. Among the means
available to the FRB to affect the money supply are open market transactions
in U.S. government securities, changes in the discount rate on member bank
borrowings and changes in reserve requirements against member bank deposits.
These means are used in varying combinations to influence overall growth and
distribution of bank loans, investments and deposits, and their use may affect
interest rates charged on loans or paid on deposits. FRB monetary policies
have materially affected the operations of commercial banks in the past and
are expected to continue to do so in the future. The nature of future monetary
policies and the effect of such policies on the business and earnings of the
Company and its subsidiaries cannot be predicted.
 
                                      53
<PAGE>
 
                            PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS
 
  The following table sets forth, as of March 31, 1998, certain information
regarding beneficial ownership of the Common Stock by (i) each shareholder
known by the Company to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of the
outstanding Common Stock, (ii) each director of the Company, (iii) each Named
Executive Officer and (iv) all of the Company's directors, executive officers
and key employees as a group. Unless otherwise indicated, the Company believes
that the shareholders listed below have sole investment and voting power with
respect to their shares based on information furnished to the Company by such
owners.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                PERCENT OF
                                                                OUTSTANDING
                                                               COMMON STOCK
                                                             -----------------
                                            NUMBER OF SHARES
                                              BENEFICIALLY    BEFORE   AFTER
NAME OF BENEFICIAL OWNER (1)                   OWNED (2)     OFFERING OFFERING
- ----------------------------                ---------------- -------- --------
<S>                                         <C>              <C>      <C>
Steven Bangert (3).........................    1,023,183       20.2%    15.8%
Jonathan C. Lorenz (4).....................      142,200        2.8      2.2
Virginia K. Berkeley (5)...................       26,390          *        *
Richard M. Hall, Jr. ......................          --         --       --
Darrell J. Schulte (6).....................       11,310          *        *
Mark S. Kipnis.............................       82,403        1.6      1.3
Noel N. Rothman............................      705,494       13.9     10.9
Howard R. Ross (7).........................      958,320       18.9     14.8
Michael B. Burgamy (8).....................          --         --       --
Timothy J. Travis..........................       28,275          *        *
Edward W. Ross, as Trustee for the Edward
 W. Ross Revocable Trust (9)...............      325,935        6.4      5.0
All directors, executive officers and key
 employees as a group
 (16 persons) (2)..........................    3,080,307       60.1     47.2
</TABLE>
- --------
 * Denotes less than 1%.
(1) Unless otherwise indicated, the address of each of the above-named
    shareholders is c/o Colorado Business Bankshares, Inc., 821 Seventeenth
    Street, Denver, Colorado 80202.
   
(2) Does not include shares of Common Stock that may be purchased in the
    Offering. If all 90,000 shares of Common Stock that have been reserved for
    sale to directors, executive officers and key employees are purchased by
    such persons, directors, executive officers and key employees of the
    Company will own approximately 48.6% of the Common Stock after the
    Offering. See "Underwriting."     
(3) Includes 32,375 shares held jointly by Mr. Bangert and his wife and
    105,981 shares held by Mr. Bangert's minor children.
(4) Includes 38,171 shares which may be issued upon the exercise of options
    exercisable within 60 days of March 31, 1998.
(5) Includes 14,137 shares which may be issued upon the exercise of options
    exercisable within 60 days of March 31, 1998.
(6) Includes 6,126 shares which may be issued upon the exercise of options
    exercisable within 60 days of March 31, 1998.
(7) Includes 28,275 shares held by Mr. Ross' wife. Does not include 36,588
    shares held by Mr. Ross' adult daughter and his grandchildren.
   
(8) Does not include 56,550 shares held by certain trusts for the benefit of
    Mr. Burgamy's minor children, for which Mr. Burgamy's father acts as
    trustee.     
(9) The address of the Edward W. Ross Revocable Trust is c/o Edward W. Ross,
    919 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 1500, Chicago, Illinois 60611
 
                                      54
<PAGE>
 
                         DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
   
  The authorized capital stock of the Company consists of 25,000,000 shares of
Common Stock and 2,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $.01 par value per
share, issuable in series (the "Preferred Stock"). Prior to the Offering,
there was no public market for the Common Stock. The Common Stock has been
approved for quotation on the Nasdaq National Market. However, there can be no
assurance that a market for the Common Stock will develop or, if developed,
that it will be sustained. The following description of the capital stock of
the Company is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Company's
Articles of Incorporation (the "Articles") and Bylaws, copies of which are
filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this Prospectus forms
a part.     
 
COMMON STOCK
 
  As of March 31, 1998, 5,063,468 shares of Common Stock were outstanding and
held of record by 85 persons. Each holder of Common Stock is entitled to one
vote for each share held of record on all matters on which shareholders are
entitled to vote; shareholders may not cumulate votes for the election of
directors. Subject to the preferences accorded to the holders of outstanding
shares of the Preferred Stock, if any, holders of Common Stock are entitled to
dividends at such times and in such amounts as the Board of Directors may
determine. The Company has not paid cash dividends on its Common Stock since
the Acquisition and does not intend to pay dividends in the foreseeable
future. The ability of the Company to pay cash dividends in the future largely
depends on the amount of cash dividends paid to it by the Bank. Capital
distributions, including dividends, by the Bank are subject to federal and
state regulatory restrictions tied to the Bank's earnings and capital. Upon
the dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the Company, after payment of
debts and expenses and payment of the liquidation preference, plus any accrued
dividends on any outstanding shares of Preferred Stock, the holders of Common
Stock will be entitled to receive all remaining assets of the Company ratably
in proportion to the number of shares held by them. Holders of shares of
Common Stock have no preemptive, subscription, conversion or redemption rights
and are not subject to further calls or assessments, or rights of redemption
by the Company. The outstanding shares of Common Stock are, and the shares of
Common Stock being sold in the Offering will be, validly issued, fully paid
and nonassessable.
 
PREFERRED STOCK
 
  The Company's Board of Directors has the authority, without approval of the
shareholders, to issue shares of Preferred Stock in one or more series and to
fix the number of shares and rights, preferences and limitations of each
series. Among the specific matters that may be determined by the Board of
Directors are the dividend rights, the redemption price, if any, the terms of
a sinking fund, if any, the amount payable in the event of any voluntary
liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Company,
conversion rights, if any, and voting powers, if any.
 
  To date, the Board of Directors has created only one series of Preferred
Stock, 1,500 shares of Series A Preferred Stock, all of which are outstanding
and held of record by one person. All such shares will be redeemed with a
portion of the proceeds of the Offering. For a description of the terms and
conditions of the Series A Preferred Stock, see Note 9 of Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
  One of the effects of the existence of authorized but unissued Common Stock
and undesignated Preferred Stock may be to enable the Board of Directors to
make more difficult, or to discourage, any attempt to obtain control of the
Company by means of a merger, tender offer, proxy contest of otherwise, and
thereby to protect the continuity of the Company's management. If, in the
exercise of its fiduciary obligations, the Board of Directors were to
determine that a takeover proposal was not in the Company's best interest,
such shares could be issued by the Board of Directors without shareholder
approval in one or more transactions that might prevent or make more difficult
or costly the completion of the takeover transaction by diluting the voting or
other rights of the proposed acquirer or insurgent shareholder group, by
creating a substantial voting block in institutional or other hands that might
undertake to support the position of the incumbent Board of Directors, by
effecting an
 
                                      55
<PAGE>
 
acquisition that might complicate or preclude the takeover, or otherwise. In
this regard, the Company's Articles grant the Board of Directors broad power
to establish the rights and preferences of the authorized and unissued
Preferred Stock, one or more series of which could be issued entitling holders
to, among other things, (i) vote separately as a class on any proposed merger
or consolidation, (ii) cast a proportionately larger vote together with the
Common Stock on any such transaction or for all purposes, (iii) elect
directors having terms of office or voting rights greater than those of other
directors, (iv) convert Preferred Stock into a greater number of shares of
Common Stock or other securities, (v) demand redemption at a specified price
under prescribed circumstances related to a change of control or (vi) exercise
other rights designated to impede a takeover. The issuance of shares of
Preferred Stock pursuant to the Board of Directors' authority described above
may adversely effect the rights of holders of the Common Stock.
 
  In addition, certain other provisions of the Company's Articles that are
described below, either alone, in combination with each other or with the
existence of authorized by unissued capital stock of the Company, may have the
effect of discouraging, or making more difficult, an acquisition of the
Company deemed undesirable by the Board of Directors.
 
CERTAIN CHARTER AND BYLAW PROVISIONS
 
  The Company's Articles and Bylaws provide for a classified board of
directors. Three class I directors, Messrs. Lorenz and Kipnis, and Ms.
Berkeley, are serving for an initial term expiring at the 1999 annual meeting.
Three class II directors, Messrs. Bangert, Rothman and Travis, are serving for
an initial term expiring at the 2000 annual meeting. Two class III directors,
Messrs. Ross and Burgamy, are serving for an initial term expiring at the 2001
annual meeting. Subsequent terms will be for successive three-year periods.
 
TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR
   
  The Transfer Agent and Registrar for the Common Stock is Corporate Stock
Transfer, Inc.     
 
                                      56
<PAGE>
 
                                 UNDERWRITING
   
  Subject to the terms and conditions of the Underwriting Agreement, Dain
Rauscher Wessels, a division of Dain Rauscher Incorporated (the
"Underwriter"), has agreed to purchase from the Company 1,400,000 shares of
Common Stock at the initial public offering price, less the Underwriting
Discounts and Commissions, set forth on the cover page of this Prospectus.
    
  The Underwriting Agreement provides that the Underwriter's obligation to pay
for and accept delivery of the shares of Common Stock offered hereby is
subject to certain conditions precedent and that the Underwriter will be
obligated to purchase all such shares, excluding shares covered by the over-
allotment option, if any are purchased. The Underwriter has informed the
Company that no sales of Common Stock will be confirmed to discretionary
accounts.
   
  The Company and the Underwriter have agreed that the Underwriter will
purchase the shares of Common Stock offered hereby at an initial public
offering price of $12.00 per share, less Underwriting Discounts and
Commissions of $0.84 per share.     
   
  Up to 90,000 shares of the Common Stock offered hereby have been reserved
for sale to certain directors, executive officers and key employees of the
Company who have expressed an interest in purchasing shares of Common Stock in
the Offering and who will each sign a 180-day lock up agreement as described
below (the "Selected Purchasers"). The Underwriting Discounts and Commissions
will be reduced to $0.60 per share with respect to sales to the Selected
Purchasers.     
   
  The Company has been advised by the Underwriter that it proposes initially
to offer the Common Stock to the public at the Price to Public, and to certain
dealers at such price less a concession not in excess of $0.48 per share. The
Underwriter may allow and such dealers may reallow a concession not in excess
of $0.10 per share to certain other brokers and dealers. After the Offering,
the Price to Public, the concession and reallowances to dealers and other
selling terms may be changed by the Underwriter.     
   
  The Company has granted to the Underwriter an option, exercisable for 30
days after the date of this Prospectus, to purchase up to 210,000 additional
shares of Common Stock to cover overallotments, if any, at the same price per
share to be paid by the Underwriter for the other shares of Common Stock
offered hereby.     
   
  In connection with the Offering, the Company has agreed to sell to the
Underwriter, for nominal consideration, a warrant to purchase 100,000 shares
of Common Stock (the "Warrant"). The Warrant will be exercisable at a price
equal to 120% of the initial public offering price ($14.40 per share). The
Warrant will be exercisable commencing one year from the date of this
Prospectus and will remain exercisable for a period of four years after such
date. The Warrant includes a net exercise provision pursuant to which the
holder may convert the Warrant by, in effect, paying the exercise price using
shares of Common Stock underlying such Warrant valued at the fair market value
at the time of the conversion. For a period of one year after it is issued,
the Warrant cannot be sold, transferred, assigned, pledged or hypothecated
except to or among officers of the Underwriter and except for transfers by
operation of law, by will or pursuant to the laws of descent and distribution.
The Warrant contains anti-dilution provisions that adjust the exercise price
and the number of shares issuable thereunder upon the occurrence of certain
events, including, with certain exceptions, any stock dividend, stock split,
stock combination, reorganization, reclassification, consolidation, merger,
sale or similar transaction. The holders of the Warrant will have no voting,
cash dividend or other rights as shareholders of the Company with respect to
shares underlying the Warrant, unless the Warrant has been exercised. The
Warrant grants to the holders thereof certain limited rights of registration
of the Common Stock issuable upon exercise of such Warrant. Any profits
realized by the Underwriter upon the sale of the Warrant or the securities
issuable upon exercise thereof may be deemed to constitute additional
underwriting compensation.     
 
                                      57
<PAGE>
 
   
  The Company, its directors and executive officers, the Selected Purchasers
and certain other shareholders, (who beneficially own an aggregate of
3,813,849 shares of the Common Stock outstanding before the Offering) have
agreed with the Underwriter, for a period of 180 days after the date of this
Prospectus, not to issue, sell, offer to sell, grant any options for the sale
of, or otherwise dispose of any shares of Common Stock or any rights to
purchase shares of Common Stock (other than issuances or grants of stock or
options by the Company pursuant to the 1995 Plan, the 1997 Plan or the 1998
Plan), without the prior written consent of the Underwriter. See "Shares
Eligible for Future Sale."     
 
  Pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement entered into by the Company and the
Underwriter in connection with the Offering, the Company has agreed to
indemnify the Underwriter against certain liabilities that may be incurred in
connection with the sale of the Common Stock, including liabilities arising
under the Securities Act, and to contribute to payments that the Underwriter
may be required to make with respect thereto.
 
  In connection with the Offering, the Underwriter may purchase and sell
Common Stock in the open market. These transactions may include over-allotment
and stabilizing transactions and purchases to cover Underwriter short
positions created in connection with the Offering. Stabilizing transactions
consist of certain bids or purchases for the purpose of preventing or
retarding a decline in the market price of the Common Stock. Underwriter short
positions involve the sale by the Underwriter of a greater number of shares of
Common Stock than it is required to purchase from the Company in the Offering.
The Underwriter may also impose a penalty bid, whereby selling concessions
allowed to broker-dealers in respect of the Common Stock sold in the Offering
for their account may be reclaimed by the Underwriter if such shares of Common
Stock are repurchased by the Underwriter in stabilizing or covering
transactions. These activities may stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the
market price of the Common Stock, which may be higher than the price that
might otherwise prevail in the open market; and these activities, if
commenced, may be discontinued at any time. These transactions may be effected
on the Nasdaq National Market, in the over-the-counter market or otherwise.
   
  Prior to the Offering, there was no public market for the Common Stock. The
initial public offering price for the Common Stock has been determined by
negotiation between the Company and the Underwriter. Among other factors
considered in determining the initial public offering price were prevailing
market and economic conditions, revenues and earnings of the Company, the
state of the Company's business operation, an assessment of the Company's
management and consideration of the above factors in relation to market
valuation of companies in related businesses and other factors deemed
relevant. There can be no assurance, however, that the prices at which the
Common Stock will sell in the public market after the Offering will be equal
to or greater than the initial public offering price.     
 
                        SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE
 
  Upon completion of the Offering, the Company will have 6,463,468 shares of
Common Stock outstanding (excluding 349,764 shares issuable upon the exercise
of outstanding options and the Warrant). The 1,400,000 shares of Common Stock
sold in the Offering (plus any additional shares sold upon the Underwriter's
exercise of its over-allotment option) will be freely transferable without
restriction under the Securities Act, by persons who are not deemed to be
affiliates of the Company or acting as underwriters, as those terms are
defined in the Securities Act. The remaining 5,063,468 shares of Common Stock
held by existing shareholders are "restricted securities" within the meaning
of Rule 144. Consequently, such shares may not be resold unless they are
registered under the Securities Act or are sold pursuant to an applicable
exemption from registration, such as Rule 144.
 
  In general, under Rule 144, as currently in effect, if at least one year has
elapsed since shares of Common Stock that constitute restricted securities
were last acquired from the Company or an affiliate of the Company, the holder
is entitled to sell within any three-month period a number of shares that does
not exceed the greater of one percent of the total shares of Common Stock then
outstanding or the average weekly trading volume of the Common Stock in the
over-the-counter market during the four calendar weeks preceding the date on
which
 
                                      58
<PAGE>
 
notice of the sale is filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Sales
under Rule 144 are subject to certain manner of sale provisions, notice
requirements and the availability of current public information about the
Company. If at least two years have elapsed since the shares were last
acquired from the Company or an affiliate, a person who has not been an
affiliate of the Company at any time during the three months preceding the
sale is entitled to sell such shares under Rule 144(k) without regard to
volume limitations, manner of sale provisions, notice requirements or the
availability of current public information concerning the Company.
   
  Approximately 293,264 shares of the Common Stock that constitute restricted
securities within the meaning of Rule 144 will be eligible for sale
immediately following the date of this Prospectus in reliance on Rule 144. An
additional 956,355 of such shares will be eligible for sale in reliance on
Rule 144 commencing 90 days after the date of this Prospectus. The Company,
its directors and executive officers, the Selected Purchasers and certain
other shareholders, who hold, in the aggregate, approximately 3,813,849
shares, have agreed that they will not, with certain limited exceptions,
issue, offer for sale, sell, transfer, grant options to purchase or otherwise
dispose of any shares of Common Stock without the prior written consent of the
Underwriter for a period of 180 days from the date of this Prospectus.     
 
  The Company is unable to estimate the number of shares that will be sold
under Rule 144, since this will depend on the market price for the Common
Stock of the Company, the personal circumstances of the sellers and other
factors. Prior to the Offering, there was no public market for the Common
Stock, and there can be no assurance that a significant public market for the
Common Stock will develop or be sustained after the Offering. Any future sale
of substantial amounts of Common Stock in the open market or the perception
that such sales may occur could adversely affect the market price of the
Common Stock offered hereby.
 
                            CHANGES IN ACCOUNTANTS
 
  In July 1996, Baird, Kurtz & Dobson purchased the Denver office of McGladrey
& Pullen, LLP, which had previously acted as the Company's independent public
accountants and thereby replaced McGladrey & Pullen, LLP as the Company's
independent public accountants. The report of McGladrey & Pullen, LLP on the
Company's financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 1995
did not contain an adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion and was not
modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles. There were
no disagreements with McGladrey & Pullen, LLP on any matter of accounting
principles or practices, financial statement disclosure or auditing scope or
procedure at the time of the change of independent public accountants or with
respect to the Company's financial statements as of and for the year ended
December 31, 1995. Prior to the purchase by Baird, Kurtz & Dobson of the
McGladrey & Pullen, LLP office, the Company had not consulted with it
regarding accounting principles.
 
  In July 1997, the Company's Board of Directors replaced Baird, Kurtz &
Dobson with Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Company's independent public
auditors. The report of Baird, Kurtz & Dobson on the Company's financial
statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 1996 did not contain an
adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion and was not modified as to
uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles. There were no disagreements
with Baird, Kurtz & Dobson on any matter of accounting principles or
practices, financial statement disclosure or auditing scope or procedure at
the time of the change of independent public accountants or with respect to
the Company's financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31,
1996. Prior to retaining Deloitte & Touche LLP, the Company had not consulted
with it regarding accounting principles.
 
                                 LEGAL MATTERS
 
  The validity of the Common Stock offered hereby will be passed upon for the
Company by Dorsey & Whitney LLP, Denver, Colorado. Sherman & Howard L.L.C.,
Denver, Colorado, is acting as counsel for the Underwriter in connection with
certain legal matters relating to the shares of Common Stock offered hereby.
 
                                      59
<PAGE>
 
                                    EXPERTS
 
  The Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company as of and for the year
ended December 31, 1997 included in this Prospectus have been audited by
Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent auditors, as stated in their report
appearing herein, and are included in reliance upon the report of such firm
given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
 
  The Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company as of and for the year
ended December 31, 1996 included in this Prospectus have been audited by
Baird, Kurtz & Dobson, independent accountants, as stated in their report
appearing herein, and are included in reliance upon the report of such firm
given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
 
  The Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company for the year ended
December 31, 1995 included in this Prospectus have been audited by McGladrey &
Pullen, LLP, independent accountants, as stated in their report appearing
herein, and are included in reliance upon the report of such firm given upon
their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
 
                               OTHER INFORMATION
 
  The Company has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission") a Registration Statement on Form SB-2 under the Securities Act
with respect to the Common Stock being offered pursuant to this Prospectus.
This Prospectus does not contain all information set forth in the Registration
Statement, certain portions of which are omitted in accordance with the rules
and regulations of the Commission. The Registration Statement may be inspected
and copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the Commission at
450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549 and at the Commission's
regional offices at 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois
60661-2511 and 7 World Trade Center, Suite 1300, New York, New York 10048.
Copies of such materials can be obtained at prescribed rates from the Public
Reference Section of the Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington D.C.
20549. In addition, the Commission maintains a World Wide Web site that
contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information
regarding registrants that file electronically with the Commission. The
address of the site is http:// www.sec.gov. Statements contained herein
concerning the provisions of any document are not necessarily complete
(although the Company believes that such statements disclose all elements of
such documents material to an investment decision in the Common Stock offered
hereby) and, in each instance, reference is made to the copy of such document
filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement.
 
                                      60
<PAGE>
 
                   
                INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS     
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        PAGE
                                                                    ------------
<S>                                                                 <C>
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORTS...................................... F-1, 2 and 3
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS:
  Statements of Condition..........................................          F-4
  Statements of Income.............................................          F-5
  Statements of Shareholders' Equity...............................          F-6
  Statements of Cash Flows.........................................          F-7
  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.......................          F-8
</TABLE>
                                       F
<PAGE>
 
                         INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
 
Colorado Business Bankshares, Inc.
Denver, Colorado
 
  We have audited the accompanying consolidated statement of condition of
Colorado Business Bankshares, Inc. and subsidiaries (the Company) as of
December 31, 1997, and the related consolidated statements of income,
shareholders' equity, and cash flows for the year then ended. These financial
statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on
our audit.
 
  We conducted our audit in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to
obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of
material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence
supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit
also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant
estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial
statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis
for our opinion.
 
  In our opinion, the 1997 consolidated financial statements present fairly,
in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of the Company
and subsidiaries as of December 31, 1997, and the results of their operations
and their cash flows for the year then ended in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles.
 
                                          DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
   
April 3, 1998 (May 20, 1998 as to Note 13)     
Denver, Colorado
 
                                      F-1
<PAGE>
 
                        INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS' REPORT
 
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders
Colorado Business Bankshares, Inc.
Denver, Colorado
 
  We have audited the accompanying consolidated statement of condition of
Colorado Business Bankshares, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 1996,
and the related consolidated statements of income, shareholders' equity and
cash flows for the year then ended. These financial statements are the
responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express
an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit.
 
  We conducted our audit in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to
obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of
material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence
supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit
also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant
estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial
statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis
for our opinion.
 
  In our opinion, the 1996 consolidated financial statements referred to above
present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Colorado
Business Bankshares, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 1996, and the
results of its operations and its cash flows for the year then ended in
conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
 
                                          BAIRD, KURTZ & DOBSON
 
Denver, Colorado
January 24, 1997, except for Note 13 
as to which the date is May 20, 1998
 
                                      F-2
<PAGE>
 
                         INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
 
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders
Colorado Business Bankshares, Inc.
Denver, Colorado
 
  We have audited the accompanying consolidated statements of income,
shareholders' equity and cash flows of Colorado Business Bankshares, Inc. and
subsidiaries for the year ended December 31, 1995. These financial statements
are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to
express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit.
 
  We conducted our audit in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to
obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of
material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence
supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit
also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant
estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial
statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis
for our opinion.
 
  In our opinion, the 1995 consolidated financial statements referred to above
present fairly, in all material respects, the results of operations and cash
flows of Colorado Business Bankshares, Inc. and subsidiaries for the year
ended December 31, 1995, in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles.
 
                                          McGLADREY & PULLEN, LLP
 
Denver, Colorado
January 12, 1996 (May 20, 1998 as to the 
effects of the stock split described in Note 13)
 
                                      F-3
<PAGE>
 
                       COLORADO BUSINESS BANKSHARES, INC.
 
                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CONDITION
             MARCH 31, 1998 (UNAUDITED), DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND 1996
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                                              DECEMBER 31,
                                           MARCH 31,   -------------------------
                                              1998         1997         1996
                                          ------------ ------------ ------------
                                          (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                       <C>          <C>          <C>
                 ASSETS

Cash and due from banks.................  $ 21,027,000 $ 15,075,000 $ 10,672,000
Federal funds sold......................     1,500,000   12,700,000          --
                                          ------------ ------------ ------------
 Total cash and cash equivalents........    22,527,000   27,775,000   10,672,000
                                          ------------ ------------ ------------
Investment securities available for sale
 (cost of $41,456,000 (unaudited),
 $41,456,000 and $29,314,000,
 respectively)..........................    41,699,000   41,630,000   29,457,000
Investment securities held to maturity
 (fair value of $13,387,000 (unaudited)
 $15,189,000 and $27,142,000,
 respectively)..........................    13,166,000   14,931,000   26,895,000
Other investments.......................     2,220,000    2,223,000    1,219,000
                                          ------------ ------------ ------------
 Total investments......................    57,085,000   58,784,000   57,571,000
                                          ------------ ------------ ------------
Loans and leases, net...................   179,211,000  164,091,000  110,748,000
Excess of cost over fair value of net
 assets acquired, net...................     5,007,000    5,116,000    5,550,000
Investment in operating leases..........     3,851,000    3,297,000    2,076,000
Premises and equipment, net.............     2,083,000    1,266,000    1,474,000
Accrued interest receivable.............     1,245,000    1,331,000    1,114,000
Real estate acquired through
 foreclosure, net.......................           --           --       109,000
Deferred income taxes...................       882,000      777,000      448,000
Other...................................     1,025,000    1,622,000      883,000
                                          ------------ ------------ ------------
TOTAL ASSETS............................  $272,916,000 $264,059,000 $190,645,000
                                          ============ ============ ============

  LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

Liabilities:
Deposits:
 Demand.................................  $ 65,792,000 $ 69,069,000 $ 48,741,000
 NOW and money market...................    79,546,000   75,164,000   63,276,000
 Savings................................     6,191,000    5,971,000    5,839,000
 Certificates of deposit................    69,066,000   70,854,000   37,454,000
                                          ------------ ------------ ------------
 Total deposits.........................   220,595,000  221,058,000  155,310,000
Federal funds purchased.................     5,000,000          --     6,226,000
Securities sold under agreements to
 repurchase.............................    16,085,000   13,024,000    3,422,000
Advances from the Federal Home Loan
 Bank...................................     3,260,000    3,260,000    4,400,000
Note payable............................     7,500,000    7,500,000   10,000,000
Accrued interest and other liabilities..     2,061,000    1,792,000    1,098,000
                                          ------------ ------------ ------------
 Total liabilities......................   254,501,000  246,634,000  180,456,000

MINORITY INTEREST
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Shareholders' Equity:
 Cumulative preferred, $.01 par value;
  2,000,000 shares authorized; 1,500
  issued and outstanding, $1,000
  liquidation preference................     1,500,000    1,500,000          --
 Common, $.01 par value; 25,000,000
  shares authorized; 5,063,468
  (unaudited), 4,874,968 and 3,771,885
  issued and outstanding, respectively..        51,000       49,000       38,000
 Additional paid-in capital.............    12,331,000   11,933,000    7,965,000
 Retained earnings......................     4,380,000    3,833,000    2,096,000
 Net unrealized appreciation on
  available for sale securities, net of
  income tax of $91,000 (unaudited),
  $65,000 and $53,000, respectively.....       153,000      110,000       90,000
                                          ------------ ------------ ------------
 Total shareholders' equity.............    18,415,000   17,425,000   10,189,000
                                          ------------ ------------ ------------
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS'
 EQUITY.................................  $272,916,000 $264,059,000 $190,645,000
                                          ============ ============ ============
</TABLE>    
 
                See notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
                                      F-4
<PAGE>
 
                       COLORADO BUSINESS BANKSHARES, INC.
 
                       CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
       
    FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1998 AND 1997 (UNAUDITED) AND     
                
             THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997, 1996 AND 1995     
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                           THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                MARCH 31,            YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                          --------------------- ----------------------------------
                             1998       1997       1997        1996        1995
                          ---------- ---------- ----------- ----------- ----------
                               (UNAUDITED)
<S>                       <C>        <C>        <C>         <C>         <C>
INTEREST INCOME:
  Interest and fees on
   loans and leases.....  $4,368,000 $2,972,000 $14,171,000 $10,117,000 $8,217,000
  Interest on
   investments..........   1,009,000    921,000   3,976,000   3,594,000  3,014,000
                          ---------- ---------- ----------- ----------- ----------
    Total interest
     income.............   5,377,000  3,893,000  18,147,000  13,711,000 11,231,000
INTEREST EXPENSE:
  Interest on deposits..   1,657,000  1,137,000   5,253,000   3,995,000  3,357,000
  Interest on short-term
   borrowings...........     202,000    218,000   1,031,000     445,000     93,000
  Interest on note
   payable..............     159,000    206,000     732,000     883,000    950,000
                          ---------- ---------- ----------- ----------- ----------
    Total interest
     expense............   2,018,000  1,561,000   7,016,000   5,323,000  4,400,000
NET INTEREST INCOME
 BEFORE PROVISION FOR
 LOAN AND LEASE LOSSES..   3,359,000  2,332,000  11,131,000   8,388,000  6,831,000
PROVISION FOR LOAN AND
 LEASE LOSSES...........     351,000    146,000     949,000     493,000    242,000
                          ---------- ---------- ----------- ----------- ----------
NET INTEREST INCOME
 AFTER PROVISION FOR
 LOAN AND LEASE LOSSES..   3,008,000  2,186,000  10,182,000   7,895,000  6,589,000
                          ---------- ---------- ----------- ----------- ----------
OTHER INCOME:
  Service charges.......     228,000    203,000     830,000     804,000    724,000
  Operating lease
   income...............     706,000    308,000   1,334,000     261,000        --
  Other income..........      71,000    224,000   1,139,000     729,000    467,000
                          ---------- ---------- ----------- ----------- ----------
    Total other income..   1,005,000    735,000   3,303,000   1,794,000  1,191,000
                          ---------- ---------- ----------- ----------- ----------
OTHER EXPENSE:
Salaries and employee
 benefits...............   1,579,000  1,298,000   5,339,000   4,364,000  3,466,000
Occupancy expenses,
 premises and
 equipment..............     344,000    277,000   1,202,000   1,018,000    716,000
Depreciation on leases..     468,000    274,000   1,168,000     247,000        --
Amortization of
 intangibles............     109,000    134,000     501,000     639,000    697,000
Other...................     515,000    463,000   2,177,000   1,559,000  1,753,000
                          ---------- ---------- ----------- ----------- ----------
    Total other
     expense............   3,015,000  2,446,000  10,387,000   7,827,000  6,632,000
                          ---------- ---------- ----------- ----------- ----------
INCOME BEFORE INCOME
 TAXES..................     998,000    475,000   3,098,000   1,862,000  1,148,000
PROVISION FOR INCOME
 TAXES..................     411,000    203,000   1,245,000     762,000    432,000
                          ---------- ---------- ----------- ----------- ----------
NET INCOME..............  $  587,000 $  272,000 $ 1,853,000 $ 1,100,000 $  716,000
                          ========== ========== =========== =========== ==========
EARNINGS PER SHARE:
  Basic.................  $     0.11 $     0.07 $      0.37 $      0.29 $     0.19
                          ========== ========== =========== =========== ==========
  Diluted...............  $     0.10 $     0.07 $      0.36 $      0.29 $     0.19
                          ========== ========== =========== =========== ==========
</TABLE>    
 
                See notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
                                      F-5
<PAGE>
 
                       COLORADO BUSINESS BANKSHARES, INC.
 
                CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
            
           FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1998 (UNAUDITED) AND
             THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997, 1996 AND 1995     
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                  NET
                                                                                               UNREALIZED
                            COMMON STOCK                   PREFERRED STOCK                    APPRECIATION
                          ------------------ ADDITIONAL   -----------------                   ON AVAILABLE
                           SHARES              PAID-IN    SHARES                                FOR SALE
                           ISSUED    AMOUNT    CAPITAL    ISSUED   AMOUNT   RETAINED EARNINGS  SECURITIES     TOTAL
                          ---------  ------- -----------  ------ ---------- ----------------- ------------ -----------
<S>                       <C>        <C>     <C>          <C>    <C>        <C>               <C>          <C>
BALANCE, JANUARY 1,
 1995...................  3,774,241  $38,000 $ 7,971,000    --   $      --     $  280,000       $    --    $ 8,289,000
REDEMPTION OF COMMON
 STOCK..................     (2,356)     --       (6,000)   --          --            --             --         (6,000)
NET CHANGE IN UNREALIZED
 APPRECIATION ON
 AVAILABLE FOR SALE
 SECURITIES, net of
 income taxes of
 $40,000................        --       --          --     --          --            --          68,000        68,000
NET INCOME..............        --       --          --     --          --        716,000            --        716,000
                          ---------  ------- -----------  -----  ----------    ----------       --------   -----------
BALANCE, DECEMBER 31,
 1995...................  3,771,885   38,000   7,965,000    --          --        996,000         68,000     9,067,000
NET CHANGE IN UNREALIZED
 APPRECIATION ON
 AVAILABLE FOR SALE
 SECURITIES, net of
 income taxes of
 $13,000................        --       --          --     --          --            --          22,000        22,000
NET INCOME..............        --       --          --     --          --      1,100,000            --      1,100,000
                          ---------  ------- -----------  -----  ----------    ----------       --------   -----------
BALANCE, DECEMBER 31,
 1996...................  3,771,885   38,000   7,965,000    --          --      2,096,000         90,000    10,189,000
ISSUANCE OF COMMON
 STOCK..................  1,102,725   11,000   3,967,000    --          --            --             --      3,978,000
ISSUANCE OF PREFERRED
 STOCK..................        --       --          --   1,500   1,500,000           --             --      1,500,000
OPTIONS EXERCISED.......        358      --        1,000    --          --            --             --          1,000
DIVIDENDS PAID--
 PREFERRED ($77.33 per
 share).................        --       --          --     --          --       (116,000)           --       (116,000)
NET CHANGE IN UNREALIZED
 APPRECIATION ON
 AVAILABLE FOR SALE
 SECURITIES, net of
 income taxes of
 $12,000................        --       --          --     --          --            --          20,000        20,000
NET INCOME..............        --       --          --     --          --      1,853,000            --      1,853,000
                          ---------  ------- -----------  -----  ----------    ----------       --------   -----------
BALANCE, DECEMBER 31,
 1997...................  4,874,968   49,000  11,933,000  1,500   1,500,000     3,833,000        110,000    17,425,000
OPTIONS EXERCISED
 (Unaudited)............    188,500    2,000     398,000    --          --            --             --        400,000
DIVIDENDS PAID--
 PREFERRED ($77.33 per
 share) (Unaudited).....        --       --          --     --          --        (40,000)           --        (40,000)
NET CHANGE IN UNREALIZED
 APPRECIATION ON
 AVAILABLE FOR SALE
 SECURITIES, net of
 income taxes of $26,000
 (Unaudited)............        --       --          --     --          --            --          43,000        43,000
NET INCOME (Unaudited)..        --       --          --     --          --        587,000            --        587,000
                          ---------  ------- -----------  -----  ----------    ----------       --------   -----------
BALANCE, MARCH 31, 1998
 (Unaudited)............  5,063,468  $51,000 $12,331,000  1,500  $1,500,000    $4,380,000       $153,000   $18,415,000
                          =========  ======= ===========  =====  ==========    ==========       ========   ===========
</TABLE>
 
                See notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
                                      F-6
<PAGE>
 
                       COLORADO BUSINESS BANKSHARES, INC.
 
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
       
      FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1998 AND 1997 (UNAUDITED) AND
             THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997, 1996 AND 1995     
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                             THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                  MARCH 31,                  YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                          --------------------------  ----------------------------------------
                              1998          1997          1997          1996          1995
                          ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------
                                 (UNAUDITED)
<S>                       <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>
CASH FLOWS FROM
 OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income..............  $    587,000  $    272,000  $  1,853,000  $  1,100,000  $    716,000
Adjustments to reconcile
 net income to net cash
 provided by operating
 activities:
 Net amortization
  (accretion) on
  securities............        61,000      (100,000)     (988,000)     (116,000)     (104,000)
 Depreciation and
  amortization..........       713,000       542,000     2,141,000     1,247,000       828,000
 Provision for loan and
  lease losses..........       351,000       146,000       949,000       493,000       242,000
 Deferred income taxes..      (107,000)      (97,000)     (341,000)     (184,000)     (237,000)
 Gain on sale of
  premises and
  equipment.............           --            --            --         (1,000)       (5,000)
 Gain on sale of real
  estate acquired
  through foreclosure...           --            --            --        (79,000)      (20,000)
Changes in:
 Accrued interest
  receivable............        86,000       (22,000)     (217,000)      (34,000)      (30,000)
 Other assets...........       105,000      (609,000)   (1,962,000)     (270,000)     (272,000)
 Accrued interest and
  other liabilities.....       269,000       171,000       694,000      (163,000)      634,000
                          ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------
 Net cash provided by
  operating activities..     2,065,000       303,000     2,129,000     1,993,000     1,752,000
CASH FLOWS FROM
 INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
 Purchase of held to
  maturity securities...           --     (1,980,000)   (2,024,000)  (13,261,000)  (18,365,000)
 Purchase of available
  for sale securities...    (2,970,000)  (10,695,000)  (25,809,000)   (8,444,000)  (24,343,000)
 Proceeds from
  maturities of held to
  maturity securities...     1,611,000     1,425,000    13,966,000     8,570,000    36,789,000
 Proceeds from
  maturities and sale of
  available for sale
  securities............     3,066,000     6,380,000    13,662,000     6,708,000     2,046,000
 Loan originations and
  repayments, net.......   (16,025,000)  (10,138,000)  (55,513,000)  (24,040,000)  (16,997,000)
 Proceeds from sale of
  real estate acquired
  through foreclosure...           --            --        109,000       389,000        70,000
 Purchase of premises
  and equipment.........      (954,000)     (147,000)     (370,000)   (2,615,000)   (1,136,000)
 Proceeds from sale of
  premises and
  equipment.............         1,000           --        106,000         1,000        22,000
                          ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------
 Net cash used in
  investing activities..   (15,271,000)  (15,155,000)  (55,873,000)  (32,692,000)  (21,914,000)
CASH FLOWS FROM
 FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
 Net increase in demand,
  NOW, money market, and
  savings account.......  $  1,325,000  $  2,271,000  $ 32,348,000  $ 12,944,000  $  4,118,000
 Net (decrease) increase
  in certificates of
  deposit...............    (1,788,000)   12,068,000    33,400,000     4,853,000     8,905,000
 Net (decrease) increase
  in federal funds
  purchased.............     5,000,000    (3,226,000)   (6,226,000)    6,226,000           --
 Net increase in
  securities sold under
  agreements to
  repurchase............     3,061,000     1,707,000     9,602,000     1,341,000     2,081,000
 Advances from the
  Federal Home Loan
  Bank..................           --            --     (1,140,000)    4,400,000           --
 Payment on notes
  payable...............           --       (250,000)   (1,000,000)     (500,000)          --
 Proceeds from issuance
  of common stock.......                   3,978,000     3,978,000           --            --
 Dividends paid on
  preferred stock.......       (40,000)          --       (116,000)          --            --
 Proceeds from options
  exercised.............       400,000           --          1,000           --            --
 Redemption of stock....           --            --            --            --         (6,000)
                          ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------
 Net cash provided by
  financing activities..     7,958,000    16,548,000    70,847,000    29,264,000    15,098,000
                          ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------
NET INCREASE (DECREASE)
 IN CASH AND CASH
 EQUIVALENTS............    (5,248,000)    1,696,000    17,103,000    (1,435,000)   (5,064,000)
CASH AND CASH
 EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING
 OF PERIOD..............    27,775,000    10,672,000    10,672,000    12,107,000    17,171,000
                          ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------
CASH AND CASH
 EQUIVALENTS, END OF
 PERIOD.................  $ 22,527,000  $ 12,368,000  $ 27,775,000  $ 10,672,000  $ 12,107,000
                          ============  ============  ============  ============  ============
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES
 OF CASH INFORMATION:
Cash paid during the
 period for:
 Interest...............  $  2,100,000  $  1,509,000  $  6,910,000  $  5,241,000  $  4,344,000
                          ============  ============  ============  ============  ============
 Income taxes...........  $    147,000  $        --   $  1,455,000  $    874,000  $    659,000
                          ============  ============  ============  ============  ============
</TABLE>
SUPPLEMENTAL SCHEDULE OF NONCASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
 
  During the year ended December 31, 1997, the Company issued preferred stock
of $1,500,000 in consideration for repayment of notes payable.
 
                See notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
                                      F-7
<PAGE>
 
                      COLORADO BUSINESS BANKSHARES, INC.
 
                  NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
       
    FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1998 AND 1997 (UNAUDITED) AND
             THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997, 1996 AND 1995     
   
  Insofar as these consolidated financial statements and notes relate to March
31, 1998 and for the three month periods ended March 31, 1998 and 1997, they
are unaudited. In the opinion of management, such unaudited consolidated
financial statements and notes thereto reflect all adjustments, consisting
only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of
consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows for such
periods. The consolidated results of operations for the three months ended
March 31, 1998 are not necessarily indicative of the consolidated results of
operations that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 1998.     
 
1. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
  The accounting and reporting practices of Colorado Business Bankshares, Inc.
("Parent"), its wholly-owned subsidiary, the Colorado Business Bank, N.A.
("Bank"), and its 80% owned equipment leasing subsidiary, Colorado Business
Leasing, Inc. ("Leasing"), collectively referred to as the "Company," conform
to generally accepted accounting principles and prevailing practices within
the banking industry.
 
  The Bank, formerly operating under two separate charters, is a full-service,
commercial banking institution with five locations in the Denver metropolitan
area. Leasing provides equipment leasing primarily to middle-market companies.
In preparing its financial statements, management of the Company is required
to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets
and liabilities and disclosure 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
significantly 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 and lease losses, the valuation of
real estate acquired through foreclosures or in satisfaction of loans, lease
residuals and valuation of property under operating leases. The following is a
summary of the Company's significant accounting and reporting policies.
 
  Consolidation--The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of
the Parent, the Bank and Leasing. All significant intercompany balances and
transactions have been eliminated. Losses attributable to minority
shareholders of Leasing have exceeded their capital contribution.
 
  Cash and Cash Equivalents--The Company considers all liquid investments with
original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents. At
December 31, 1997 and 1996, cash equivalents consisted of federal funds sold.
   
  Investments--The Company classifies its investment securities as held to
maturity, available for sale, or trading, according to management's intent. As
of December 31, 1997 and 1996, the Company has no trading securities.     
 
    a. Investment Securities Held to Maturity--Bonds, notes and debentures
  for which the Company has the positive intent and ability to hold to
  maturity are reported at cost, adjusted for premiums and discounts.
     
    b. Investment Securities Available for Sale--Available for sale
  securities consist of bonds, notes, and debentures not classified as held
  to maturity securities. Unrealized holding gains and losses, net of tax,
  are reported as a net amount in a separate component of shareholders'
  equity until realized.     
 
  Premiums and discounts are recognized in interest income using the level-
yield method over the period to maturity. Declines in the fair value of
individual held to maturity and available for sale securities below their cost
that are other than temporary are recorded as write-downs of the individual
securities to their fair value and
 
                                      F-8
<PAGE>
 
                      COLORADO BUSINESS BANKSHARES, INC.
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
the related write-downs are included in earnings as realized losses. Gains and
losses on disposal of securities are determined using the specific-
identification method.
 
  Other investments, including primarily Federal Home Loan Bank and Federal
Reserve Bank stock, are accounted for under the cost method.
   
  Loans and Leases--Loan and leases that management has the intent and ability
to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity or pay-off are reported
at their outstanding principal balance adjusted for any charge-offs, the
allowance for loan and lease losses, deferred fees or costs on originated
loans and leases, and unamortized premiums or discounts on purchased loans.
Loan fees and certain costs of originating loans and leases are being deferred
and the net amount is amortized over the contractual life of the related loans
and leases. Interest is accrued and credited to income daily based on the
principal balance outstanding. The accrual of interest income is generally
discontinued when a loan or lease becomes 90 days past due as to principal and
interest. When a loan is designated as nonaccrual, the current period's
accrued interest receivable is charged against current earnings, while any
portions applicable to prior periods are charged against the allowance for
loan and lease losses. Interest payments received on nonaccrual loans are
applied to the principal balance of the loan. Management may elect to continue
the accrual of interest when the loan is in the process of collection and the
realizable value of collateral is sufficient to cover the principal balance
and accrued interest.     
 
  Net Investment in Direct Financing Leases--The Company has entered into
various lease agreements which are accounted for as direct financing leases,
in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 13.
   
  Under this method, the present value of the future lease payments, the
present value of the unguaranteed residual and initial direct costs are
recorded as assets, which are equal to the fair value of the equipment leased.
In each period, initial direct costs are amortized, and interest income, which
is included in income from direct financing leases, is recognized as a
constant percentage return on the net investment in the lease.     
 
  Residual values are established at lease inception equal to the estimated
value, as determined by the Company, to be received from the equipment
following termination of the initial lease. In estimating such values, the
Company considers all relevant information and circumstances regarding the
equipment and the lessee. Any permanent reduction in the estimated residual
value of lease property is charged to operations in the period it occurs.
 
  Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses--The allowance for loan and lease losses
is based primarily on management's estimate of probable losses, as determined
by analysis of the loan and lease portfolio and historical experience as
adjusted for other factors which, in management's judgment, deserve current
recognition in estimating probable loan and lease losses. Loans and leases
deemed uncollectible are charged to the allowance. Recoveries on loans and
leases previously charged-off are added to the allowance.
 
  A loan is considered impaired when it is probable that the Company will not
receive all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan. This
includes loans that are nonaccrual loans and certain other loans classified by
management. Interest is recognized for nonaccrual loans only upon receipt and
only after all principal amounts are current according to the terms of the
contract.
   
  Excess of Cost Over Fair Value of Net Assets Acquired--Excess of cost over
fair value of net assets acquired is amortized by the straight-line method
over 15 years. The Company periodically reviews such assets for impairment.
    
                                      F-9
<PAGE>
 
                      COLORADO BUSINESS BANKSHARES, INC.
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
 
  Investment in Operating Leases--The Company has entered into various
equipment leases accounted for as operating leases in accordance with
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 13. The equipment, which is
reported as investment in operating leases, is depreciated over the estimated
useful life or lease term, if shorter.
 
  Premises and Equipment--Premises and equipment are stated at cost less
accumulated depreciation and amortization, which is calculated by the
straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the respective assets
as follows:
 
<TABLE>
      <S>                                                         <C>
      Office buildings........................................... 20 to 40 years
      Furniture, fixtures and equipment..........................  3 to 10 years
</TABLE>
 
  Leasehold improvements are capitalized and amortized using the straight-line
method over the terms of the respective leases or the estimated useful lives
of the improvements, whichever is shorter.
 
  Real Estate Acquired through Foreclosure--Assets acquired by foreclosure or
in settlement of debt and held for sale are valued at estimated fair value as
of the date of foreclosure, and a related valuation allowance is provided for
estimated costs to sell the assets. Management periodically evaluates the
value of foreclosed assets held for sale and increases the valuation allowance
for any subsequent declines in fair value less selling costs. Subsequent
declines in value are charged to operations.
 
  Income Taxes--A deferred income tax liability or asset is recognized for
temporary differences which exist in the recognition of certain income and
expense items for financial statement reporting purposes in periods different
than for tax reporting purposes. The provision for income taxes is based on
the amount of current and deferred income taxes payable or refundable at the
date of the financial statements as measured by the provisions of current tax
laws.
 
  Earnings Per Share--Basic earnings per share is based on net income divided
by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period.
The weighted average number of shares outstanding used to compute diluted
earnings per share include the number of additional common shares that would
be outstanding if the potential dilutive common shares and common share
equivalents had been issued at the beginning of the year.
   
  Recent Accounting Pronouncements--In June 1997, SFAS No. 130, "Reporting
Comprehensive Income," was issued. SFAS No. 130 established standards for
reporting and display of comprehensive income and its components (revenues,
expenses, gains, and losses) in a full set of general-purpose financial
statements. SFAS No. 130 requires that all items that are required to be
recognized under accounting standards as components of comprehensive income be
reported in a financial statement that is displayed with the same prominence
as other financial statements. SFAS No. 130 requires that a company (a)
classify items of other comprehensive income by their nature in a financial
statement and (b) display the accumulated balance of other comprehensive
income separately from retained earnings and additional paid-in capital in the
equity section of the balance sheet. The Company adopted this statement in the
first quarter of 1998. The Company's only comprehensive income component is
unrealized gains and losses on available for sale securities. For the three
months ended March 31, 1998 and 1997, comprehensive income was $630,000
(unaudited) and $277,000 (unaudited), respectively.     
 
  In June 1997, SFAS No. 131, "Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and
Related Information," was issued. SFAS No. 131 establishes standards for the
way that public companies report selected information about operating segments
in annual financial statements and requires that those companies report
selected information about segments in interim financial reports issued to
shareholders. It also establishes standards for related disclosures about
products and services, geographic areas, and major customers. Generally,
financial information is required to be reported on the basis that it is used
internally for evaluating segment performance and deciding how to allocate
resources to segments. SFAS No. 131 requires that a public company report a
 
                                     F-10
<PAGE>
 
                       COLORADO BUSINESS BANKSHARES, INC.
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
measure of segment profit or loss, certain specific revenue and expense items,
and segment assets. This statement will be adopted for the year ended December
31, 1998 and will not have a material affect on the Company's disclosures.
 
2. INVESTMENTS
 
  The amortized cost and estimated fair values of investment securities are
summarized as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 GROSS      GROSS     ESTIMATED
                                    AMORTIZED  UNREALIZED UNREALIZED    FAIR
   MARCH 31, 1998 (UNAUDITED)         COST       GAINS      LOSSES      VALUE
   --------------------------      ----------- ---------- ---------- -----------
   <S>                             <C>         <C>        <C>        <C>
   Available for sale securities:
     Mortgage-backed securities... $37,457,000  $247,000   $ 3,000   $37,701,000
     U.S. treasury................     999,000     2,000       --      1,001,000
     U.S. government agencies.....   3,000,000       --      3,000     2,997,000
                                   -----------  --------   -------   -----------
                                   $41,456,000  $249,000   $ 6,000   $41,699,000
                                   ===========  ========   =======   ===========
   Held to maturity securities:
     U.S. government agencies..... $ 1,433,000  $    --    $17,000   $ 1,416,000
     Mortgage-backed securities...   9,517,000   200,000       --      9,717,000
     Obligations of states and
      political subdivisions......   1,199,000    40,000       --      1,239,000
     U.S. treasury................   1,017,000       --      2,000     1,015,000
                                   -----------  --------   -------   -----------
                                   $13,166,000  $240,000   $19,000   $13,387,000
                                   ===========  ========   =======   ===========
<CAPTION>
                                                 GROSS      GROSS     ESTIMATED
                                    AMORTIZED  UNREALIZED UNREALIZED    FAIR
   DECEMBER 31, 1997                  COST       GAINS      LOSSES      VALUE
   -----------------               ----------- ---------- ---------- -----------
   <S>                             <C>         <C>        <C>        <C>
   Available for sale securities:
     Mortgage-backed securities... $36,957,000  $185,000   $ 1,000   $37,141,000
     U.S. treasury................   1,499,000       --      1,000     1,498,000
     U.S. government agencies.....   3,000,000       --      9,000     2,991,000
                                   -----------  --------   -------   -----------
                                   $41,456,000  $185,000   $11,000   $41,630,000
                                   ===========  ========   =======   ===========
   Held to maturity securities:
     U.S. government agencies..... $ 1,500,000  $    --    $ 3,000   $ 1,497,000
     Mortgage-backed securities...  11,213,000   239,000    23,000    11,429,000
     Obligations of states and
      political subdivisions......   1,198,000    50,000       --      1,248,000
     U.S. treasury................   1,020,000       --      5,000     1,015,000
                                   -----------  --------   -------   -----------
                                   $14,931,000  $289,000   $31,000   $15,189,000
                                   ===========  ========   =======   ===========
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-11
<PAGE>
 
                      COLORADO BUSINESS BANKSHARES, INC.
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                               GROSS      GROSS     ESTIMATED
                                  AMORTIZED  UNREALIZED UNREALIZED    FAIR
   DECEMBER 31, 1996                COST       GAINS      LOSSES      VALUE
   -----------------             ----------- ---------- ---------- -----------
   <S>                           <C>         <C>        <C>        <C>
   Available for sale
    securities:
     Mortgage-backed
      securities................ $22,811,000  $238,000   $ 76,000  $22,973,000
     U.S. treasury..............   3,500,000     8,000        --     3,508,000
     U.S. government agencies
      and corporations..........   3,003,000       --      27,000    2,976,000
                                 -----------  --------   --------  -----------
                                 $29,314,000  $246,000   $103,000  $29,457,000
                                 ===========  ========   ========  ===========
   Held to maturity securities:
     U.S. government agencies
      and corporations.......... $ 7,804,000  $  2,000   $  7,000  $ 7,799,000
     Mortgage-backed
      securities................  15,638,000   256,000     27,000   15,867,000
     Obligations of states and
      political subdivisions....   1,919,000    40,000      4,000    1,955,000
     U.S. treasury..............   1,534,000     1,000     14,000    1,521,000
                                 -----------  --------   --------  -----------
                                 $26,895,000  $299,000   $ 52,000  $27,142,000
                                 ===========  ========   ========  ===========
</TABLE>
   
  The amortized cost and estimated fair value of investments in debt
securities at March 31, 1998 and December 31, 1997, by contractual maturity,
are shown below. Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities
because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or
without penalties.     
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                   AVAILABLE FOR SALE       HELD TO MATURITY
                                 ----------------------- -----------------------
                                              ESTIMATED               ESTIMATED
                                  AMORTIZED     FAIR      AMORTIZED     FAIR
   MARCH 31, 1998 (UNAUDITED)       COST        VALUE       COST        VALUE
   --------------------------    ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
   <S>                           <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
   Due in one year or less.....  $ 3,000,000 $ 2,997,000 $ 1,210,000 $ 1,210,000
   Due after one year through
    five years.................      999,000   1,001,000   1,995,000   2,030,000
   Due after five years through
    ten years..................          --          --      444,000     430,000
   Mortgage-backed securities..   37,457,000  37,701,000   9,517,000   9,717,000
                                 ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
                                 $41,456,000 $41,699,000 $13,166,000 $13,387,000
                                 =========== =========== =========== ===========
<CAPTION>
                                   AVAILABLE FOR SALE       HELD TO MATURITY
                                 ----------------------- -----------------------
                                              ESTIMATED               ESTIMATED
                                  AMORTIZED     FAIR      AMORTIZED     FAIR
   DECEMBER 31, 1997                COST        VALUE       COST        VALUE
   -----------------             ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
   <S>                           <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
   Due in one year or less.....  $   500,000 $   500,000 $   210,000 $   214,000
   Due after one year through
    five years.................    3,999,000   3,989,000   3,498,000   3,536,000
   Due after five years through
    ten years..................          --          --       10,000      10,000
   Mortgage-backed securities..   36,957,000  37,141,000  11,213,000  11,429,000
                                 ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
                                 $41,456,000 $41,630,000 $14,931,000 $15,189,000
                                 =========== =========== =========== ===========
</TABLE>
   
  During the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995, there were no sales
of held to maturity securities. Proceeds from sales of available for sale
securities totaled $9,155,000, $0 and $2,046,000, respectively, during the
years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995. The related gross realized gains
were $82,000, $0 and $20,000, respectively.     
 
  Investment securities with an approximate fair value of $10,793,000 and
$13,221,000 were pledged to secure public deposits of $8,976,000 and
$9,677,000 at December 31, 1997 and 1996, respectively.
 
                                     F-12
<PAGE>
 
                      COLORADO BUSINESS BANKSHARES, INC.
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
 
  Obligations of states and political subdivisions at December 31, 1997 and
1996 do not include any single issuer for which the aggregate carrying amount
exceeds 10% of the Company's shareholders' equity.
 
  Other investments at December 31, 1997 consists primarily of Federal Home
Loan Bank stock (carrying value of $1,399,000), and Federal Reserve Bank stock
(carrying value of $613,000). In addition, the Bank had a $150,000 investment
in a trust company which was partially liquidated in March 1998 at cost, and
$93,000 in an investment partnership being accounted for on the cost method.
The Bank has committed to investing up to $500,000 in the partnership. Certain
shareholders and directors have also invested and received consulting fees
from the partnership.
 
3. LOANS AND LEASES
 
  Categories of loans and leases, net of deferred fees include:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           DECEMBER 31,
                                         MARCH 31,   -------------------------
                                            1998         1997         1996
                                        ------------ ------------ ------------
                                        (UNAUDITED)
   <S>                                  <C>          <C>          <C>
   Commercial.......................... $ 81,325,000 $ 78,152,000 $ 58,727,000
   Real estate--mortgage...............   44,888,000   40,262,000   24,491,000
   Real estate--construction...........   33,350,000   27,786,000   19,119,000
   Consumer............................   13,110,000   11,732,000    8,266,000
   Direct financing leases, net........    9,168,000    8,407,000    1,805,000
                                        ------------ ------------ ------------
                                         181,841,000  166,339,000  112,408,000
   Less: Allowance for loan and lease
    loss...............................    2,630,000    2,248,000    1,660,000
                                        ------------ ------------ ------------
                                        $179,211,000 $164,091,000 $110,748,000
                                        ============ ============ ============
</TABLE>
 
  The majority of the Company's lending and leasing activities are with
customers located in the Denver metropolitan area.
 
  In the ordinary course of business, the Company makes various direct and
indirect loans to officers and directors of the Company and its subsidiaries
at competitive rates. Activity with respect to officer and director loans is
as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                     YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                     --------------------------
                                                         1997          1996
                                                     ------------  ------------
   <S>                                               <C>           <C>
   Balance, beginning of period..................... $  2,201,000  $  1,717,000
   New loans........................................    4,867,000     2,709,000
   Principal paydowns and payoffs...................   (4,929,000)   (2,225,000)
                                                     ------------  ------------
   Balance, end of period........................... $  2,139,000  $  2,201,000
                                                     ============  ============
</TABLE>
   
  The recorded investment in loans that are considered to be impaired under
SFAS No. 114, as amended by SFAS No. 118, was $811,000 and $582,000 at
December 31, 1997 and 1996, respectively (all of which have a related
allowance for loan and lease loss). The related allowance for loan and lease
losses were $324,000 and $164,000 at December 31, 1997, and 1996,
respectively. Interest of $33,000, $117,000 and $147,000 was recognized on
average impaired loans of $697,000, $1,105,000, $1,630,000, during the years
ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively. The gross interest
income that would have been recorded if the loans had been current in
accordance with the original terms is insignificant for the years ended
December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995.     
 
                                     F-13
<PAGE>
 
                      COLORADO BUSINESS BANKSHARES, INC.
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
   
  The Company sells participations in loans to an entity controlled by the
Chairman of the Board of Directors and a member of the Board of Directors. At
December 31, 1997, the amount of participations outstanding with the affiliate
was $2,753,000.     
 
  Transactions in the allowance for loan and lease loss are summarized as
follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                             THREE MONTHS ENDED     YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                 MARCH 31,      ----------------------------------
                                    1998           1997        1996        1995
                             ------------------ ----------  ----------  ----------
                                (UNAUDITED)
   <S>                       <C>                <C>         <C>         <C>
   Balance, beginning of
    period.................      $2,248,000     $1,660,000  $1,392,000  $1,181,000
   Provision for loan and
    lease losses...........         351,000        949,000     493,000     242,000
                                 ----------     ----------  ----------  ----------
                                  2,599,000      2,609,000   1,885,000   1,423,000
   Losses charged off
    (recovered), net of
    recoveries of $50,000
    (unaudited) for March
    1998, $33,000 for
    December 1997, $103,000
    for December 1996 and
    $14,000 for December
    1995...................          31,000       (361,000)   (225,000)    (31,000)
                                 ----------     ----------  ----------  ----------
   Balance, end of period..      $2,630,000     $2,248,000  $1,660,000  $1,392,000
                                 ==========     ==========  ==========  ==========
</TABLE>
 
4. INVESTMENT IN LEASES
 
  The Company is the lessor of equipment under agreements expiring in various
future years. Certain of the equipment leases provide for additional rents,
based on use in excess of a stipulated minimum number of hours, and allow the
lessees to purchase the equipment for fair value at the end of the lease
terms.
 
  Property leased or held for lease to others under operating leases consists
of the following:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              DECEMBER 31,
                                               MARCH 31,  ---------------------
                                                 1998        1997       1996
                                              ----------- ---------- ----------
                                              (UNAUDITED)
   <S>                                        <C>         <C>        <C>
   Equipment................................. $5,074,000  $4,290,000 $2,279,000
   Unamortized initial direct costs..........     74,000      64,000     44,000
                                              ----------  ---------- ----------
                                               5,148,000   4,354,000  2,323,000
   Less accumulated depreciation.............  1,297,000   1,057,000    247,000
                                              ----------  ---------- ----------
     Total................................... $3,851,000  $3,297,000 $2,076,000
                                              ==========  ========== ==========
</TABLE>
 
  The Company's net investment in direct financing leases consists of the
following:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           DECEMBER 31,
                                           MARCH 31,   ----------------------
                                             1998         1997        1996
                                          -----------  ----------  ----------
                                          (UNAUDITED)
   <S>                                    <C>          <C>         <C>
   Minimum lease payments receivable..... $10,557,000  $9,819,000  $2,115,000
   Unamortized initial direct costs......     156,000     150,000      21,000
   Estimated unguaranteed residual
    values...............................      17,000      17,000       2,000
   Unearned income.......................  (1,562,000) (1,579,000)   (333,000)
                                          -----------  ----------  ----------
     Total                                $ 9,168,000  $8,407,000  $1,805,000
                                          ===========  ==========  ==========
</TABLE>
 
                                     F-14
<PAGE>
 
                       COLORADO BUSINESS BANKSHARES, INC.
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
 
  At March 31, 1998 and December 31, 1997, future minimum lease payments
receivable under direct financing leases and noncancelable operating leases are
as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        MARCH 31, 1998
                                         (UNAUDITED)         DECEMBER 31, 1997
                                    ---------------------- ---------------------
                                      DIRECT                 DIRECT
                                     FINANCING  OPERATING  FINANCING  OPERATING
                                      LEASES      LEASES     LEASES     LEASES
                                    ----------- ---------- ---------- ----------
   <S>                              <C>         <C>        <C>        <C>
   1998............................ $ 2,666,000 $1,321,000 $3,141,000 $1,400,000
   1999............................   3,404,000  1,324,000  2,870,000    934,000
   2000............................   2,337,000    603,000  1,884,000    571,000
   2001............................   1,441,000    104,000  1,333,000    102,000
   2002............................     507,000        --     490,000        --
   Thereafter......................     202,000        --     101,000        --
                                    ----------- ---------- ---------- ----------
     Total......................... $10,557,000 $3,352,000 $9,819,000 $3,007,000
                                    =========== ========== ========== ==========
</TABLE>
 
5. PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT
 
  The major classes of premises and equipment are summarized as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              DECEMBER 31,
                                               MARCH 31,  ---------------------
                                                 1998        1997       1996
                                              ----------- ---------- ----------
                                              (UNAUDITED)
   <S>                                        <C>         <C>        <C>
   Building.................................. $  355,000  $  355,000 $  355,000
   Leasehold improvements....................    983,000     951,000    693,000
   Furniture, fixtures, and equipment........  2,964,000   2,049,000    772,000
                                              ----------  ---------- ----------
                                               4,302,000   3,355,000  1,820,000
   Accumulated depreciation..................  2,219,000   2,089,000    346,000
                                              ----------  ---------- ----------
                                              $2,083,000  $1,266,000 $1,474,000
                                              ==========  ========== ==========
</TABLE>
   
6. CERTIFICATES OF DEPOSIT     
   
  The composition of certificates of deposit is as follows:     
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               DECEMBER 31,
                                              MARCH 31,  -----------------------
                                                1998        1997        1996
                                             ----------- ----------- -----------
                                             (UNAUDITED)
   <S>                                       <C>         <C>         <C>
   Less than $100,000....................... $18,999,000 $18,724,000 $ 9,936,000
   $100,000 and more........................  50,067,000  52,130,000  27,518,000
                                             ----------- ----------- -----------
                                             $69,066,000 $70,854,000 $37,454,000
                                             =========== =========== ===========
</TABLE>
 
  Related interest expense is as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                           THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                MARCH 31,          YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                           ------------------- --------------------------------
                             1998      1997       1997       1996       1995
                           --------- --------- ---------- ---------- ----------
                               (UNAUDITED)
   <S>                     <C>       <C>       <C>        <C>        <C>
   Less than $100,000..... $ 246,000 $ 175,000 $  877,000 $  445,000 $  349,000
   $100,000 and more......   721,000   442,000  2,083,000  1,450,000    843,000
                           --------- --------- ---------- ---------- ----------
                           $ 967,000 $ 617,000 $2,960,000 $1,895,000 $1,192,000
                           ========= ========= ========== ========== ==========
</TABLE>
 
 
                                      F-15
<PAGE>
 
                      COLORADO BUSINESS BANKSHARES, INC.
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
  Maturities of certificates of deposit of $100,000 and more are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         MARCH 31,  DECEMBER 31,
                                                           1998         1997
                                                        ----------- ------------
                                                        (UNAUDITED)
   <S>                                                  <C>         <C>
   Less than three months.............................. $30,149,000 $29,828,000
   Three months up to six months.......................   9,921,000   8,387,000
   Six months up to one year...........................   7,898,000   7,976,000
   One year and over...................................   2,099,000   5,939,000
                                                        ----------- -----------
                                                        $50,067,000 $52,130,000
                                                        =========== ===========
</TABLE>
 
7. BORROWED FUNDS
 
  The Company has advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Topeka (FHLB)
with interest rates that range from 5.98% to 6.89%. Advances are
collateralized generally by all assets of the Company.
 
  Aggregate annual maturities of advances are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                    DECEMBER 31,
                                                                        1997
                                                                    ------------
   <S>                                                              <C>
   1998............................................................  $1,140,000
   1999............................................................   1,140,000
   2000............................................................     140,000
   2001............................................................     140,000
   2002............................................................     140,000
   Thereafter......................................................     560,000
                                                                     ----------
     Total.........................................................  $3,260,000
                                                                     ==========
</TABLE>
 
  Securities sold under agreements to repurchase are summarized as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             DECEMBER 31,
                                             MARCH 31,  ----------------------
                                               1998        1997        1996
                                            ----------- ----------- ----------
                                            (UNAUDITED)
   <S>                                      <C>         <C>         <C>
   Securities with an estimated fair value
    of $18,928,000 (unaudited) in 1998,
    $13,152,000 in 1997 and $3,431,000 in
    1996................................... $16,085,000 $13,024,000 $3,422,000
                                            =========== =========== ==========
</TABLE>
   
  The Company enters into sales of securities under agreements to repurchase.
The amounts received under these agreements represent short-term borrowings
and are reflected as a liability in the consolidated statement of condition.
During the period, securities were pledged to the customers and segregated
into a separate safekeeping account that explicitly recognizes the customers'
interests in the securities. Securities sold under agreements to repurchase
averaged $17,602,000 and $7,323,000 and the maximum amounts outstanding at any
month-end during the years ended December 31, 1997 and 1996 were $25,251,000
and $6,084,000, respectively. At December 31, 1997, the weighted average
interest rate was 5.21%.     
   
  Note payable at March 31, 1998 and December 31, 1997, consists of a
$7,500,000 promissory note due to a bank. Interest on the note is payable
quarterly and is set at the lending bank's prime rate. Principal is payable in
quarterly installments of $250,000 through July 1998, increasing to $313,000
through April 2001, with the remaining outstanding balance due July 2001. The
note is collateralized by a pledge of all of the Colorado Business Bank,
N.A.'s common stock. The agreement also contains covenants which include
compliance with     
 
                                     F-16
<PAGE>
 
                      COLORADO BUSINESS BANKSHARES, INC.
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
   
certain financial requirements, including minimum tangible equity capital to
total quarterly average assets at the subsidiary bank of 6.50%.     
 
  Aggregate annual maturities are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                    DECEMBER 31,
                                                                        1997
                                                                    ------------
   <S>                                                              <C>
   1998............................................................  $  813,000
   1999............................................................   1,250,000
   2000............................................................   1,250,000
   2001............................................................   4,187,000
                                                                     ----------
     Total.........................................................  $7,500,000
                                                                     ==========
</TABLE>
 
8. INCOME TAXES
 
  The components of consolidated income tax expense are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                            THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                MARCH 31,           YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                            -------------------  --------------------------------
                              1998       1997       1997       1996       1995
                            ---------  --------  ----------  ---------  ---------
                               (UNAUDITED)
   <S>                      <C>        <C>       <C>         <C>        <C>
   Current tax expense..... $ 518,000  $300,000  $1,586,000  $ 946,000  $ 669,000
   Deferred tax expense
    (benefit)..............  (107,000)  (97,000)   (341,000)  (184,000)  (237,000)
                            ---------  --------  ----------  ---------  ---------
     Total................. $ 411,000  $203,000  $1,245,000  $ 762,000  $ 432,000
                            =========  ========  ==========  =========  =========
</TABLE>
 
  A deferred tax asset or liability is recognized for the tax consequences of
temporary differences in the recognition of revenue and expense for financial
and tax reporting purposes. The net change during the year in the deferred tax
asset or liability results in a deferred tax expense or benefit. The temporary
differences, tax effected, which give rise to the Company's net deferred tax
assets are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                DECEMBER 31,
                                                              -----------------
                                                                1997     1996
                                                              -------- --------
   <S>                                                        <C>      <C>
   Deferred tax assets:
     Allowance for loan losses............................... $688,000 $486,000
     Depreciation............................................   43,000      --
     Deferred loan fees......................................  102,000  105,000
     Vacation and other accrued liabilities..................   44,000      --
     Other...................................................   62,000   35,000
                                                              -------- --------
       Total deferred tax assets.............................  939,000  626,000
                                                              -------- --------
   Deferred tax liabilities:
     Deferred direct costs...................................      --       --
     Building leasehold improvements.........................   97,000  125,000
     Unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities........   65,000   53,000
                                                              -------- --------
       Total deferred tax liabilities........................  162,000  178,000
                                                              -------- --------
   Net deferred tax assets................................... $777,000 $448,000
                                                              ======== ========
</TABLE>
 
                                     F-17
<PAGE>
 
                      COLORADO BUSINESS BANKSHARES, INC.
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
 
  A reconciliation of income tax expense at the statutory rate to the
Company's actual income tax expense is shown below:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                ------------------------------
                                                   1997       1996      1995
                                                ----------  --------  --------
   <S>                                          <C>         <C>       <C>
   Computed at the statutory rate (34%).......  $1,053,000  $633,000  $390,000
   Increase (decrease) resulting from:
     Tax exempt interest income on loans and
      securities..............................     (10,000)  (61,000)  (56,000)
     Nondeductible goodwill amortization......     148,000   146,000   136,000
     State income taxes, net of federal income
      tax effect..............................      65,000    50,000    32,000
     Other....................................     (11,000)   (6,000)  (70,000)
                                                ----------  --------  --------
     Actual tax provision.....................  $1,245,000  $762,000  $432,000
                                                ==========  ========  ========
</TABLE>
 
9. SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
  Preferred Stock--The Board of Directors is authorized, among other things,
to fix the designation and the powers, preferences and relative,
participating, optional and other special rights for preferred shares. All
outstanding preferred shares are held by the holder of the note payable
referred to in Note 7 and are designated by the Board as Series A Adjustable
Rate Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock. Holders of the Series A Preferred
Stock have no voting rights except under certain conditions. The Board further
entitled the holders of Preferred Stock to receive preferential cumulative
cash dividends at the applicable floating rate payable quarterly in arrears
(prime plus 2.25%). Prime was 8.50% at December 31, 1997. Shares of the
Preferred Stock are redeemable by the Company in whole or in part at the
outstanding redemption price of $1,000 per share plus all unpaid dividends.
The Preferred Stock is putable to two current shareholders and directors of
the Company. However, the Company is not required to redeem the stock. All
shares of Common Stock of the Company, and all other capital stock of any
class or series of the Company issued after the issue date, rank junior to the
Preferred Stock as to dividends and rights upon liquidation, dissolution or
winding up of the Company.
 
  Stock Options--Certain officers of the Company have been granted options to
purchase shares of the Company's common stock pursuant to two stock option
plans. The plan's options are granted at prices not less than the fair market
value of the Company's stock at the date of grant. Generally, the options are
exercisable commencing one year from the date of grant and vest 25% per year
thereafter becoming fully exercisable after four years. The options expire
after ten years and, as of December 31, 1997 the total number of shares
reserved under the plans is 298,603, and remaining shares available for
granting is 53,552. The following is a summary of changes in shares under
option:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                                             MARCH 31, 1998
                                                           ---------------------
                                                                      WEIGHTED
                                                                       AVERAGE
                                                                      EXERCISE
                                                            SHARES      PRICE
                                                           ---------- ----------
                                                              (UNAUDITED)
   <S>                                                     <C>        <C>
   Outstanding, beginning of period.......................    245,051  $   3.12
     Granted..............................................      4,713      7.43
     Exercised............................................        --        --
     Forfeited............................................        --        --
                                                           ----------  --------
   Outstanding, end of period.............................    249,764  $   3.20
                                                           ==========  ========
   Options exercisable, end of period.....................     84,354  $   2.49
                                                           ==========  ========
</TABLE>
 
 
                                     F-18
<PAGE>
 
                      COLORADO BUSINESS BANKSHARES, INC.
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                          YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                             --------------------------------------------------
                                   1997             1996             1995
                             ---------------- ---------------- ----------------
                                     WEIGHTED         WEIGHTED         WEIGHTED
                                     AVERAGE          AVERAGE          AVERAGE
                                     EXERCISE         EXERCISE         EXERCISE
                             SHARES   PRICE   SHARES   PRICE   SHARES   PRICE
                             ------- -------- ------- -------- ------- --------
   <S>                       <C>     <C>      <C>     <C>      <C>     <C>
   Outstanding, beginning
    of year................  157,162  $2.54   138,783  $2.42       --
     Granted...............  102,733   4.00    27,804   3.21   138,783  $2.42
     Exercised.............      358   2.12       --     --        --     --
     Forfeited.............   14,486   3.18     9,425   2.76       --     --
                             -------  -----   -------  -----   -------  -----
   Outstanding, end of
    year...................  245,051  $3.12   157,162  $2.54   138,783  $2.42
                             =======  =====   =======  =====   =======  =====
   Options exercisable, end
    of year................   67,153  $2.43    31,574  $2.38       --   $ --
                             =======  =====   =======  =====   =======  =====
</TABLE>
 
  The Company granted other stock options ("Other Options") in 1994 to
individuals for their contributions to the Company which were immediately
exercisable at $2.12 per share. An aggregate of 188,500 shares of common stock
reserved for issuance under these agreements were exercised in February 1998.
 
  The Company has elected to continue to account for its stock options using
the intrinsic value method prescribed by Accounting Principles Board Opinion
No. 25 and related interpretations. Accordingly, no compensation cost has been
recognized for its stock option plans. The Company estimated the fair value of
options granted in 1997, 1996 and 1995 to be $119,000, $11,000, and $123,000,
respectively using an analysis similar to the Black-Scholes option pricing
model prescribed by SFAS No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation."
The fair value of each stock option grant is estimated using the Black-Scholes
option pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions: risk-
free interest rate of 5.58%; expected dividend yield of 0%; expected life of
five years; and expected volatility of 8.10%. The outstanding stock options at
March 31, 1998 have a weighted average contractual life of 8.25 years and the
range of exercise prices is $2.12 to $7.43. Had compensation cost been
determined based on fair value at the grant date for the Company's stock
options in accordance with SFAS No. 123, the proforma effect on net income for
the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995 would have been a decrease of
$41,000, $35,000, and $19,000, respectively. The effect on earnings per share
is not material.
 
  At December 31, 1997, the Company's ability to pay dividends on its common
stock, if it determines to do so, is largely dependent upon the payment of
dividends by the Bank. At December 31, 1997, the Bank could have paid total
dividends to the Company of approximately $1 million, without prior regulatory
approval.
 
  The weighted average shares outstanding used in the calculation of Basic and
Diluted Earnings Per Share are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                             THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                 MARCH 31,         YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                            ------------------- -------------------------------
                              1998      1997       1997       1996      1995
                            --------- --------- ---------- ---------- ---------
                                (UNAUDITED)
   <S>                      <C>       <C>       <C>        <C>        <C>
   Net income..............  $587,000  $272,000 $1,853,000 $1,100,000  $716,000
   Less: Preferred stock
    dividends..............    40,000       --     116,000        --        --
                            --------- --------- ---------- ---------- ---------
   Income available to
    common shareholders....  $547,000  $272,000 $1,737,000 $1,100,000  $716,000
                            ========= ========= ========== ========== =========
   Weighted average shares
    outstanding--basic
    earnings per share..... 4,941,990 3,784,138  4,690,852  3,771,885 3,773,063
   Effect of dilutive
    securities--stock
    options................   278,541   115,883    111,926     54,582    27,084
                            --------- --------- ---------- ---------- ---------
   Weighted average shares
    outstanding--diluted
    earnings per share..... 5,220,531 3,900,021  4,802,778  3,826,467 3,800,147
                            ========= ========= ========== ========== =========
</TABLE>
 
 
                                     F-19
<PAGE>
 
                      COLORADO BUSINESS BANKSHARES, INC.
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
10. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
 
  Employee Profit Sharing Trust--The Company has a defined contribution
pension plan covering substantially all employees. Employees may contribute up
to 15% of their compensation with the Company's discretionary matching within
the limits defined for a 401(k) Plan. Employer contributions charged to
expense for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996, and 1995 were $123,000,
$114,000 and $67,000, respectively.
 
  Lease Commitments--The Company entered into various operating lease
agreements for office space. Total rental expense for the years ended December
31, 1997, 1996 and 1995 was $533,000, $477,000, and $374,000, respectively.
The Company's corporate office lease expires June 30, 1998. Subsequent to
December 31, 1997, certain officers and directors acquired the building in
which the corporate office is located and certain banking operations are
performed. Future minimum lease payments under all noncancelable operating
leases are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                    DECEMBER 31,
                                                                        1997
                                                                    ------------
   <S>                                                              <C>
   1998............................................................  $  405,000
   1999............................................................     318,000
   2000............................................................     319,000
   2001............................................................     169,000
   2002............................................................     146,000
   Thereafter......................................................     343,000
                                                                     ----------
     Total.........................................................  $1,700,000
                                                                     ==========
</TABLE>
   
  Financial Instruments with Off-Balance Sheet Risk--In the normal course of
business, the Company has entered into financial instruments which are not
reflected in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. These
financial instruments include commitments to extend credit and stand-by
letters of credit. The Company had the following commitments:     
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      MARCH 31,  DECEMBER 31,
                                                        1998         1997
                                                     ----------- ------------
                                                     (UNAUDITED)
   <S>                                               <C>         <C>
   Commitments to originate commercial or real
    estate construction loans and unused lines of
    credit granted to customers..................... $84,464,000 $79,354,000
                                                     =========== ===========
   Commitments to fund consumer loans:
     Personal lines of credit....................... $ 3,485,000 $ 3,499,000
                                                     =========== ===========
     Credit card loans.............................. $ 1,353,000 $ 1,285,000
                                                     =========== ===========
   Standby and performance letters of credit........ $ 1,736,000 $ 1,027,000
                                                     =========== ===========
</TABLE>
 
  The Company makes contractual commitments to extend credit and provide
standby letters of credit, which are binding agreements to lend money to its
customers at predetermined interest rates for a specific period of time. The
credit risk involved in issuing these financial instruments is essentially the
same as that involved in granting on-balance sheet financial instruments. As
such, the Company's exposure to credit loss in the event of non-performance by
the counter-party to the financial instrument is represented by the
contractual amounts of those instruments. However, the Company applies the
same credit policies, standards and ongoing reassessments in making
commitments and conditional obligations as they do for loans. In addition, the
amount and type of collateral obtained, if deemed necessary upon extension of
a loan commitment or standby letter of credit, is essentially the same as the
collateral requirements provided for loans. Additional risk associated with
providing
 
                                     F-20
<PAGE>
 
                      COLORADO BUSINESS BANKSHARES, INC.
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
these commitments arise when they are drawn upon, such as the demands on
liquidity the banks would experience if a significant portion were drawn down
at the same time. However, this is considered unlikely, as many commitments
expire without being drawn upon and therefore do not necessarily represent
future cash requirements.
 
  Employment Contracts--Certain officers of the Company have entered into
employment agreements providing for salaries and fringe benefits. In addition,
severance is provided in the event of termination for other than cause and
under certain changes in control a lump sum payment is required.
 
  Other Matters--The Company is involved in various lawsuits which have arisen
in the normal course of business. It is management's opinion, based upon
advice of legal counsel, that the ultimate outcome of these lawsuits will not
have a material impact upon the financial condition or results of operations
of the Company.
 
  Pursuant to normal banking practices, the Company is required to maintain
certain balances (reserves) with the Federal Reserve Bank. At December 31,
1997, the required balance was approximately $1,568,000.
 
11. REGULATORY MATTERS
   
  The Company and the Bank are subject to various regulatory capital
requirements administered by the federal banking agencies. Failure to meet
minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory--and possibly
additional discretionary--actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could
have a direct material effect on the Company's financial statements. Under
capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective
action, the Company and the Bank must meet specific capital guidelines that
involve quantitative measures of the Company and the Bank's assets,
liabilities, and certain off-balance-sheet items as calculated under
regulatory accounting practices. The Company and the Banks' capital amounts
and classification are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators
about components, risk weightings, and other factors.     
 
  Quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy
require the Company and the Bank to maintain minimum amounts and ratios (set
forth in the table below) of total and Tier I capital (as defined in the
regulations) to risk-weighted assets, and of Tier I capital to average assets.
   
  The Company's total capital to risk weighted assets at December 31, 1997 was
$4,448,000 or $838,000, less than the required 8% minimum. The most recent
notification from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency categorized
the Bank as well capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt
corrective action. To be categorized as well capitalized, the Bank must
maintain minimum total risk-based, Tier I risk-based, and Tier I leverage
ratios as set forth in the table. There are no conditions or events that
management believes have changed the Bank's categories.     
 
                                     F-21
<PAGE>
 
                      COLORADO BUSINESS BANKSHARES, INC.
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
 
  The following table shows the Company and the Bank's actual capital amounts
and ratios and regulatory thresholds (note that the Company does not meet the
criteria for utilizing the minimum Tier I capital to average assets ratio of
3%):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                       AS OF MARCH 31, 1998 (UNAUDITED)
                            ----------------------------------------------------------
                                                                     TO BE "WELL
                                                                 CAPITALIZED" UNDER
                                                  FOR CAPITAL     PROMPT CORRECTIVE
                                 ACTUAL        ADEQUACY PURPOSES  ACTION PROVISIONS
                            -----------------  ----------------- ---------------------
                              AMOUNT    RATIO    AMOUNT    RATIO    AMOUNT    RATIO
                            ----------- -----  ----------- ----- ------------ --------
   <S>                      <C>         <C>    <C>         <C>   <C>          <C>
   COMPANY
   Total capital
    (to risk weighted
    assets)................ $15,660,000  8.2%  $15,380,000  8.0%          N/A   N/A
   Tier I capital
    (to risk weighted
    assets)................  13,254,000  6.9%    7,690,000  4.0%          N/A   N/A
   Tier I capital
    (to average assets)....  13,254,000  5.2%   10,294,000  4.0%          N/A   N/A
   COLORADO BUSINESS BANK,
    N.A.
   Total capital
    (to risk weighted
    assets)................ $22,200,000 11.6%  $15,336,000  8.0% $ 19,170,000  10.0%
   Tier I capital
    (to risk weighted
    assets)................  19,801,000 10.3%    7,668,000  4.0%   11,502,000   6.0%
   Tier I capital
    (to average assets)....  19,801,000  7.7%   10,286,000  4.0%   12,858,000   5.0%
<CAPTION>
                                            AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1997
                            ----------------------------------------------------------
                                                                     TO BE "WELL
                                                                 CAPITALIZED" UNDER
                                                  FOR CAPITAL     PROMPT CORRECTIVE
                                 ACTUAL        ADEQUACY PURPOSES  ACTION PROVISIONS
                            -----------------  ----------------- ---------------------
                              AMOUNT    RATIO    AMOUNT    RATIO    AMOUNT    RATIO
                            ----------- -----  ----------- ----- ------------ --------
   <S>                      <C>         <C>    <C>         <C>   <C>          <C>
   COMPANY
   Total capital
    (to risk weighted
    assets)................ $14,448,000  7.6%  $15,286,000  8.0%          N/A   N/A
   Tier I capital
    (to risk weighted
    assets)................  12,200,000  6.4%    7,643,000  4.0%          N/A   N/A
   Tier I capital
    (to average assets)....  12,200,000  4.9%    9,980,000  4.0%          N/A   N/A
   COLORADO BUSINESS BANK,
    N.A.
   Total capital
    (to risk weighted
    assets)................ $21,179,000 11.6%  $14,652,000  8.0% $ 18,315,000  10.0%
   Tier I capital
    (to risk weighted
    assets)................  18,931,000 10.3%    7,326,000  4.0%   10,989,000   6.0%
   Tier I capital
    (to average assets)....  18,931,000  7.6%    9,964,000  4.0%   12,455,000   5.0%
</TABLE>
 
                                     F-22
<PAGE>
 
                       COLORADO BUSINESS BANKSHARES, INC.
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                            AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1996
                            -------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                       TO BE "WELL
                                                                    CAPITALIZED" UNDER
                                                  FOR CAPITAL       PROMPT CORRECTIVE
                                 ACTUAL        ADEQUACY PURPOSES    ACTION PROVISIONS
                            -----------------  ------------------------------------------
                              AMOUNT    RATIO    AMOUNT     RATIO     AMOUNT     RATIO
                            ----------- -----  ------------ -------------------- --------
   <S>                      <C>         <C>    <C>          <C>     <C>          <C>
   COMPANY
   Total capital
    (to risk weighted
    assets)................ $ 6,063,000  5.3%  $  9,152,000    8.0%          N/A    N/A
   Tier I capital
    (to risk weighted
    assets)................   4,549,000  4.0%     4,549,000    4.0%          N/A    N/A
   Tier I capital
    (to average assets)....   4,549,000  2.6%     6,998,000    4.0%          N/A    N/A
   THE WOMEN'S BANK
   Total capital
    (to risk weighted
    assets)................ $11,733,000 15.1%  $  6,225,000    8.0% $  7,781,000   10.0%
   Tier I capital
    (to risk weighted
    assets)................  10,655,000 13.7%     3,112,000    4.0%    4,668,000    6.0%
   Tier I capital
    (to average assets)....  10,655,000  7.9%     5,394,000    4.0%    6,743,000    5.0%
   COLORADO BUSINESS BANK,
    N.A.
   Total capital
    (to risk weighted
    assets)................ $ 3,830,000 10.3%  $  2,986,000    8.0%    3,732,000   10.0%
   Tier I capital
    (to risk weighted
    assets)................   3,391,000  9.1%     1,493,000    4.0%    2,239,000    6.0%
   Tier I capital
    (to average assets)....   3,391,000  7.2%     1,895,000    4.0%    2,369,000    5.0%
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-23
<PAGE>
 
                      COLORADO BUSINESS BANKSHARES, INC.
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
 
12. FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
 
  The following disclosure of the estimated fair value of the Company's
financial instruments is made in accordance with the requirements of SFAS No.
107, "Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments." The estimated
fair value amounts have been determined by the Company using available market
information and appropriate valuation methodologies. However, considerable
judgment is required to interpret market data in order to develop the
estimates of fair value. Accordingly, the estimates presented herein are not
necessarily indicative of the amounts the Company could realize in a current
market exchange. The use of different market assumptions and/or estimation
methodologies may have a material effect on the estimated fair value amounts.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                             MARCH 31, 1998         DECEMBER 31, 1997
                         ----------------------- -----------------------
                                      ESTIMATED               ESTIMATED
                          CARRYING      FAIR      CARRYING      FAIR
                            VALUE       VALUE       VALUE       VALUE
                         ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
                               (UNAUDITED)
<S>                      <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         
Financial assets:
  Cash and cash
   equivalents.......... $22,527,000 $22,527,000 $27,775,000 $27,775,000
  Investment securities
   available-for-sale...  41,699,000  41,699,000  41,630,000  41,630,000
  Investment securities
   held-to-maturity.....  13,166,000  13,387,000  14,931,000  15,189,000
  Other investments.....   2,220,000   2,220,000   2,223,000   2,223,000
  Accrued interest
   receivable...........   1,245,000   1,245,000   1,331,000   1,331,000
  Loans and leases,
   net.................. 179,211,000 178,976,000 164,091,000 164,020,000
Financial liabilities:
  Deposits.............. 220,595,000 220,675,000 221,058,000 220,972,000
  Accrued interest
   payable..............     279,000     279,000     361,000     361,000
  Note payable..........   7,500,000   7,500,000   7,500,000   7,500,000
  Federal funds
   purchased............   5,000,000   5,000,000         --          --
  Securities sold under
   agreement to
   repurchase...........  16,085,000  16,085,000  13,024,000  13,024,000
  Advances from Federal
   Home Loan Bank.......   3,260,000   3,296,000   3,260,000   3,298,000
</TABLE>
 
  The estimation methodologies utilized by the Company are summarized as
follows:
 
  Cash and Cash Equivalents--For cash and due from banks and federal funds
sold the carrying amount is a reasonable estimate of fair value.
 
  Investment Securities--For investment securities, fair value equals the
quoted market price, if available. If a quoted market price is not available,
fair value is estimated using quoted market prices for similar investment
securities.
 
  Loans and Leases--The fair value of fixed rate loans and leases is estimated
by discounting the future cash flows using the current rates at which similar
loans would be made to borrowers with similar credit ratings and for the same
remaining maturities. In computing the estimate of fair value for all loans
and leases, the estimated cash flows and/or carrying value have been reduced
by specific and general reserves for loan losses.
 
  Accrued Interest Receivable/Payable--The carrying amount of accrued interest
receivable/payable is a reasonable estimate of fair value due to the short-
term nature of these amounts.
 
  Deposits--The fair value of demand deposits, NOW and savings accounts, and
certain money market deposits is the amount payable on demand. The fair value
of fixed-maturity certificates of deposit is estimated using the rates
currently offered for deposits with similar remaining maturities.
 
                                     F-24
<PAGE>
 
                      COLORADO BUSINESS BANKSHARES, INC.
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
 
  Note Payable, Federal Funds Purchased, Securities Sold under Repurchase
Agreement--The estimated fair value of variable rate borrowed funds
approximates their carrying value.
 
  Advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank--Estimated fair value is based on
discounting cash flows for comparable instruments.
 
  Commitments to Extend Credit and Standby Letters of Credit--The Company's
off-balance sheet commitments are funded at current market rates at the date
they are drawn upon. It is management's opinion that the fair value of these
commitments would approximate their carrying value, if drawn upon.
 
  The fair value estimates presented herein are based on pertinent information
available to management as of March 31, 1998, December 31, 1997 and 1996.
Although management is not aware of any factors that would significantly
affect the estimated fair value amounts, such amounts have not been
comprehensively revalued for purposes of these financial statements since that
date and, therefore, current estimates of fair value may differ significantly
from the amounts presented herein.
 
13. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
 
  At the Company's annual shareholders meeting, held on May 19, 1998, the
shareholders approved a 4.7125 for 1 stock split of the Company's common stock
and increased authorized shares to 25,000,000. In addition, the shareholders
approved an increase in the number of preferred shares authorized to 2,000,000
shares. All references to outstanding shares, options and earnings per share
have been adjusted for the stock split.
 
  In May 1998, the Company approved the 1998 Stock Incentive Plan (the "1998
Plan"). The maximum number of shares authorized to be issued under the 1998
Plan is 225,000 shares of Common Stock, and the maximum number of shares
underlying awards that may be granted to an individual employee in a calendar
year is 22,500 shares of Common Stock. As of March 31, 1998, no awards had
been granted under the 1998 Plan. The exercise price for options granted under
the 1998 Plan must be at least equal to 100% of the fair market value of the
Common Stock on the date of grant. The 1998 Plan permits the granting of stock
options, including Incentive Stock Options and non-qualified stock options.
 
                                     F-25
<PAGE>
 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
  NO DEALER, SALESPERSON OR ANY OTHER PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY
INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATION OTHER THAN IS CONTAINED IN THIS PRO-
SPECTUS, AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATION MUST NOT BE
RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE COMPANY OR THE UNDERWRITER. NEI-
THER THE DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS NOR ANY SALE MADE HEREUNDER SHALL, UNDER
ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, CREATE ANY IMPLICATION THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE IN THE
AFFAIRS OF THE COMPANY SINCE ANY OF THE DATES AS TO WHICH INFORMATION IS FUR-
NISHED HEREIN OR SINCE THE DATE HEREOF. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN
OFFER TO SELL OR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY ANY OF THE SECURITIES OF-
FERED HEREBY TO ANY PERSON OR IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH THE PERSON MAKING
SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION IS NOT QUALIFIED TO DO SO, OR TO ANY PERSON TO WHOM
IT IS UNLAWFUL TO MAKE SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION IN SUCH JURISDICTION.
 
                               ----------------
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                                                          PAGE
                                                                          ----
<S>                                                                       <C>
Prospectus Summary.......................................................   3
Risk Factors.............................................................   7
Use of Proceeds..........................................................  12
Dividend Policy..........................................................  12
Dilution.................................................................  13
Capitalization...........................................................  14
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
 of Operations...........................................................  15
Business.................................................................  26
Management...............................................................  40
Certain Transactions.....................................................  47
Supervision and Regulation ..............................................  49
Principal Shareholders ..................................................  54
Description of Capital Stock.............................................  55
Underwriting.............................................................  57
Shares Eligible for Future Sale..........................................  58
Changes in Accountants...................................................  59
Legal Matters............................................................  59
Experts..................................................................  60
Other Information........................................................  60
Index to Consolidated Financial Statements...............................   F
</TABLE>    
 
                               ----------------
   
  UNTIL JULY 13, 1998 (25 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS), ALL DEALERS
EFFECTING TRANSACTIONS IN THE COMMON STOCK, WHETHER OR NOT PARTICIPATING IN
THIS DISTRIBUTION, MAY BE REQUIRED TO DELIVER A PROSPECTUS. THIS IS IN ADDI-
TION TO THE OBLIGATION OF DEALERS TO DELIVER A PROSPECTUS WHEN ACTING AS UN-
DERWRITERS AND WITH RESPECT TO THEIR UNSOLD ALLOTMENTS OR SUBSCRIPTIONS.     
 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                               1,400,000 SHARES
 
                    [LOGO OF COLORADO BUSINESS BANKSHARES]
 
                                 COMMON STOCK
 
                               ----------------
 
                                  PROSPECTUS
 
                               ----------------
 
                             DAIN RAUSCHER WESSELS
                   A DIVISION OF DAIN RAUSCHER INCORPORATED
                                 
                              JUNE 18, 1998     
 
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