AMERICAN BANCORP OF NEVADA
10-K, 1997-03-13
STATE COMMERCIAL BANKS
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                                  UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             Washington, D. C. 20549
                                    Form10-K
(Mark One)
   X     ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES
         EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 (FEE REQUIRED)

         For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996
                                                        OR
         TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES 
         EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 (NO FEE REQUIRED)

         For the transition period from _________________ to ___________________
                                              .

                         Commission File Number 0-181227

                           AMERICAN BANCORP OF NEVADA
             ------------------------------------------------------
             (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

           Nevada                                        94-2792608
- -------------------------------             ------------------------------------
(State of Other Jurisdiction of             (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
Incorporation or Organization)

4425 Spring Mountain Road, Las Vegas, Nevada                           89102
- --------------------------------------------                         ----------
  (Address of Principal Executive Offices)                           (Zip Code)

       Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code: (702) 362-7222

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12 (b) of the Act:

                                                        Name of Each Exchange on
Title of Each Class                                         Which Registered
- -------------------                                     ------------------------
      None                                                        None

Securities registered pursuant to section 12(g) of the Act:

                             Common, $.05 par value
                             ----------------------
                                (Title of Class)

         Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of
1934  during  the  preceding  12 months  (or for such  shorter  period  that the
Registrant was required to file such reports),  and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes [ X ]  No  [   ]

         Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent  filers  pursuant to
Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained  herein,  and will not be contained,
to the best of  registrant's  knowledge,  in  definitive  proxy  or  information
statements  incorporated  by  reference  in Part  III of this  Form  10-K or any
amendment to this Form 10-K [X]

         As of March 10, 1997,  the aggregate  market value of the voting shares
held by nonaffiliates of the Registrant was approximately  $72,575,880  computed
using a price of $19.50 per share.

         The number of shares of Common Stock,  $.05 par value outstanding as of
March 10, 1997, according to the records of registrant's  registrar and transfer
agent was 3,721,840. .

                       DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Part  III -  Portions  of  the  registrant's  proxy  statement  to be  filed  in
conjunction  with the annual meeting of the stockholders of the registrant to be
held on April 21, 1997, are  incorporated  by reference into items 10 through 13
inclusive.
<PAGE>


PART I

ITEM 1 - BUSINESS

         a.  General Development of Business

American Bancorp of Nevada  ("Bancorp") was organized and incorporated under the
laws of the State of Nevada on January 12,  1982,  for the purpose of becoming a
bank  holding  company by  acquiring  all of the  outstanding  capital  stock of
American Bank of Commerce ("Bank").  The reorganization of Bancorp was completed
on  August  5,  1982.   Bancorp   has  three   subsidiaries:   Bank,   a  Nevada
state-chartered bank headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada; AmBank Financial,  Inc.
("Financing Company") and AmBank Mortgage Company ("Mortgage Company").

Both  Financing   Company's  and  Mortgage   Company's   operations   have  been
substantially curtailed since 1985 and these entities are essentially inactive.

Bank was incorporated under the laws of the State of Nevada on June 8, 1979, and
was licensed by the Nevada State Banking Department and commenced  operations as
a Nevada  state-chartered  bank on November  26,  1979.  Bank is an insured bank
under the  Federal  Deposit  Insurance  Act,  with  deposits  insured  up to the
applicable limits thereof,  but, like many state-chartered banks of its size, it
is not a member of the Federal Reserve System.

The primary services provided by the Bank include commercial,  construction, and
real estate  financing,  and business  loans to customers who are  predominantly
small- and  middle-market  businesses.  The bank also grants  consumer  loans to
individuals,  offers a full array of depository accounts and provides full trust
and estate administration services.

The Company's  business is concentrated in Southern Nevada and is subject to the
general economic conditions of this area.

Bank currently operates out of its head office at 4425 Spring Mountain Road, Las
Vegas,  Nevada,  89102. It also operates out of four branch offices, all located
in Las Vegas, Nevada.

         b.    Financial Information About Industry Segments

Bancorp has no industry segments other than banking related operations.

         c.    Narrative Description of Business

Regulation and Supervision of the Holding Company

Upon the reorganization of Bank on August 5, 1982, Bancorp became a bank holding
company within the meaning of the Bank Holding  Company Act of 1956, as amended,
(the "Act"),  and is subject to the  supervision  and regulation of the Board of
Governors  of the Federal  Reserve  System,  (the  "Board").  Bank is  currently
subject  to  regulation  by the  Superintendent  of Banks of  Nevada  and by the
Federal  Deposit  Insurance  Corporation  ("FDIC").  Bank will remain  under the
supervision of these regulatory authorities.

As a bank holding company,  Bancorp is required to file annual reports and other
information  concerning its business operations and those of its subsidiaries as
the Federal Reserve Board may require pursuant to the Act.
Bancorp and its subsidiaries are also subject to examination by the Board.

Bancorp is  required  to obtain the prior  approval  of the Board  before it may
acquire all or  substantially  all of the assets of any bank,  or  ownership  or
control of voting  securities  of any bank,  or  ownership  or control of voting
securities  of any bank if, after  giving  effect to such  acquisition,  Bancorp
would own or  control  more than 5 percent  of the  voting  shares of such bank.
Bancorp is prohibited  from acquiring 5 percent or more of a bank's stock if the
bank is  located  outside  the  State of  Nevada,  unless  such  acquisition  is
specifically authorized by the laws of the state in which the bank is located.

Furthermore,  Bancorp is prohibited  from engaging in or acquiring,  directly or
indirectly,  control of more than 5 percent of the voting  shares of any company
which is engaged in non-banking activities.  In making such determinations,  the
Board  considers  whether the  performance of such  activities by a bank holding
company would offer  advantages to the public which  outweigh  possible  adverse
effects.  One of the exceptions to this prohibition is the acquisition of shares
of a company,  the activities of which the Board has determined to be so closely
related to banking, or managing or controlling banks, as to be a proper incident
thereof.
<PAGE>


A bank holding company and its subsidiaries are also prohibited from engaging in
certain tie-in  arrangements in connection  with  extensions of credit,  leases,
sales, or the furnishing of services. For example, the banking subsidiaries will
generally be  prohibited  from  extending  credit to a customer on the condition
that the customer also obtain other services  furnished by the bank, the holding
company,  or any of its  subsidiaries,  or on the  condition  that the  customer
promise not to obtain financial services from a competitor.

Bancorp  and any  subsidiaries  which  it may  acquire  or  organize  after  the
reorganization  will be deemed  "affiliates"  within the  meaning of the Federal
Reserve Act. Pursuant thereto,  loans by the banking subsidiaries to affiliates,
investments by the Bank in affiliates'  stock, and taking  affiliates'  stock by
the Bank as collateral for loans to any borrower will be generally limited to 10
percent of the Bank's  capital,  in the case of any one  affiliate,  and will be
limited  to 20 percent of the  Bank's  capital,  in the case of all  affiliates.
Bancorp and its subsidiaries  will also be subject to certain  restrictions with
respect  to  engaging  in the  underwriting,  public  sale and  distribution  of
securities.

The Nevada Revised  Statutes provide that a holding company and its subsidiaries
are subject to regular  examination  by and may be required to file reports with
the Superintendent of Banks.

The Board under  Regulation  "Y" permits  bank  holding  companies  to engage in
non-banking  activities  closely  related to banking or managing or  controlling
banks, subject to Board approval in certain cases.

Bancorp may also file  applications to engage in or acquire  businesses that are
not on the Board's list of non-banking  activity  closely  related to banking or
managing or  controlling  banks.  The Board will publish a notice of opportunity
for hearing only if it believes that there is a reasonable  basis for concurring
in Bancorp's view that the activity  applied for is closely  related to banking.
There has been litigation from time to time  challenging the validity of certain
activities authorized by the Board, and there are various regulations concerning
permissible activities under consideration by the Board.

Bank's operations  include the acceptance of checking and savings deposits,  and
the  making  of  commercial,   real  estate,  home  improvement,   construction,
automobile and other vehicle loans,  and other consumer loans.  Bank also offers
many  customary  services,  including,  but not  limited to,  cashier's  checks,
bank-by-mail, automatic check deposit and traveler's checks.

In July of 1985, the Bank began operation of the Financial Services  department.
This department has full trust powers, but has specialized in pension and profit
sharing  plan  administration.  To date,  the  business  development  efforts in
obtaining  accounts has been successful and the Bank  anticipates  future growth
and profitability from this operation.

The banking  business  in Nevada,  and in the market  served by Bank,  is highly
competitive.  Bank competes for loans and deposits with other commercial  banks,
savings  banks,   finance   companies,   credit  unions,   and  other  financial
institutions.  In  addition,  other  entities  (both  governmental  and  private
industry)  seeking to raise  capital  through the  issuance  and sale of debt or
equity  securities,  mutual  funds,  or  tax  deferred  annuities  also  provide
competition for Bank in the  acquisition of deposits.  Larger  commercial  banks
have greater  lending limits than Bank and may perform  certain other  functions
which Bank does not currently offer.

In order to compete with other  financial  institutions  in its primary  service
area,  Bank  relies  principally  upon local  promotional  activities,  customer
referrals,   personal  contact  by  its  officers,   directors,   employees  and
shareholders, extended hours and specialized services. From 1994 through 1996, a
total of five new banks opened in Las Vegas which are targeting  Bank's customer
market.

While there are twelve  commercial  banks in the service area, Bank believes its
emphasis  on  customer  service  and  personal  contact  set it  apart  from its
competitors.  Concentrating  on the  small  to  medium  size  business  accounts
effectively limits Bank's direct competition to six other banks.

Regulation and Supervision of the Bank

Bank is a Nevada  state-chartered  bank with commercial  banking powers, and its
deposits are insured up to the maximum legal limit by the FDIC.  Bank is subject
to  supervision,  regulation  and  regular  examination  by the  State of Nevada
Financial  Institutions  Division and the FDIC. Although Bank is not a member of
the Federal Reserve System, it is nevertheless,  subject to certain  regulations
of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.  The statutes and rules
administered  by these  agencies  regulate the  investment  activities  of Bank,
loans,  certain of its  check-clearing  activities,  payments of dividends,  the
establishment of new branches,  as well as numerous other aspects of the banking
business.
<PAGE>


Recent Legislation and Other Changes

From time to time, legislation is enacted which has the effect of increasing the
cost  of  doing  business,  limiting  or  expanding  permissible  activities  or
affecting  the   competitive   balance   between   banks  and  other   financial
institutions.  Proposals  to  change  the laws  and  regulations  governing  the
operations and taxation of banks and other financial institutions are frequently
made in Congress,  in the Nevada  legislature and before various bank regulatory
agencies.  The likelihood of any major changes and the impact such changes might
have  on the  Bancorp  and  Bank  are  impossible  to  predict.  Certain  of the
potentially  significant changes which have been enacted recently by Congress or
various regulatory or professional agencies are discussed below.

The Economic Growth and Regulatory  Paperwork  Reduction Act (the "1996 Act") as
part of the Omnibus  Appropriations  Bill was enacted on September  30, 1996 and
includes many banking related  provisions.  The most important banking provision
is the recapitalization of the Savings Association Insurance Fund ("SAIF").  The
1996 Act provides for a one time assessment of approximately 65 basis points per
$100 of deposits of SAIF insured  deposits  including Oakar deposits  payable on
November 30, 1996.  For the years 1997  through 1999 the banking  industry  will
assist in the payment of interest on FICO bonds that were issued to help pay for
the clean up of the savings and loan industry.  Banks will pay approximately 1.3
cents per $100 of deposits for this special assessment, and after the year 2000,
banks will pay approximately 2.4 cents per $100 of deposits until the FICO bonds
mature in 2017. There is a three year moratorium on conversions of SAIF deposits
to Bank  Insurance  Fund  ("BIF")  deposits.  The  1996  Act  also  has  certain
regulatory relief  provisions for the banking  industry.  Lender liability under
the  Superfund  is  eliminated  for lenders who  foreclose  on property  that is
contaminated  provided that the lenders were not involved with the management of
the entity that  contributed to the  contamination.  There is a five year sunset
provision for the elimination of civil liability under the Truth in Savings Act.
The FRB and Department of Housing and Urban  Development are to develop a single
format  for Real  Estate  Settlement  Procedures  Act and Truth in  Lending  Act
("TILA")  disclosures.  TILA disclosures for adjustable mortgage loans are to be
simplified.  Significant  revisions  are made to the Fair Credit  Reporting  Act
("FCRA") including  requiring that entities which provide  information to credit
bureaus conduct an  investigation  if a consumer claims the information to be in
error. Regulatory agencies may not examine for FCRA compliance unless there is a
consumer  complaint  investigation  that reveals a violation or where the agency
otherwise finds a violation.  In the area of the Equal Credit  Opportunity  Act,
banks that  self-test  for  compliance  with fair lending laws will be protected
from the results of the test  provided  that  appropriate  corrective  action is
taken when violations are found.

Effective  September 28, 1995,  Nevada allows for early  interstate  banking and
authorizes  out-of-state  banks to enter Nevada by the  acquisition of or merger
with a Nevada bank that was in existence  at  September  28, 1995 or has been in
existence  for at least five  years.  Under the  federally  enacted  Riegle-Neal
Interstate Banking and Branching Efficiency Act of 1994 ("IBBEA"),  discussed in
more detail  below,  individual  states could  "opt-out" of the federal law that
would allow banks on an interstate  basis to engage in  interstate  branching by
merging out-of-state banks with host state banks after June 1, 1997. In addition
under IBBEA,  individual states could also "opt-in" and allow out-of-state banks
to merge with host state banks prior to June 1, 1997.  The host state is allowed
under IBBEA to impose  certain  nondiscriminatory  conditions  on the  resulting
depository  institution  until June 1, 1997.  Nevada in enacting  NRS 666.400 et
seq.  provides  for the "opt-in"  under IBBEA  allowing  interstate  bank merger
transactions prior to July 1, 1997 of an out-of-state bank with a Nevada bank.

On  September  29,  1994,  IBBEA was enacted  which has  eliminated  many of the
current restrictions to interstate banking and branching. The IBBEA permits full
nationwide  interstate banking to adequately  capitalized and adequately managed
bank holding  companies  beginning  September 29, 1995 without regard to whether
such  transaction  is  expressly  prohibited  under the laws of any  state.  The
IBBEA's  branching  provisions  permit full  nationwide  interstate  bank merger
transactions to adequately  capitalized  and adequately  managed banks beginning
June 1,  1997.  However,  states  retain  the right to  completely  "opt out" of
interstate  bank  mergers  and to continue to require  that  out-of-state  banks
comply with the states' rules governing entry.
<PAGE>



The states  that opt out must enact a law after  September  29,  1994 and before
June 1,  1997  that (i)  applies  equally  to all  out-of-state  banks  and (ii)
expressly  prohibits merger  transactions with out-of-state  banks. States which
opt out of  allowing  interstate  bank merger  transactions  will  preclude  the
mergers of banks in the opting out state with banks located in other states.  In
addition,  banks  located  in  states  that  opt out are not  permitted  to have
interstate  branches.  States  can also "opt in" which  means  states can permit
interstate branching earlier than June 1, 1997.

The laws governing  interstate  banking and interstate bank mergers provide that
transactions,  which result in the bank holding  company or bank  controlling or
holding in excess of ten  percent  of the total  deposits  nationwide  or thirty
percent of the total  deposits  statewide,  will not be  permitted  except under
certain specified  conditions.  However,  any state may waive the thirty percent
provision  for such state.  In  addition,  a state may impose a cap of less than
thirty percent of the total amount of deposits held by a bank holding company or
bank  provided  such cap is not  discriminatory  to  out-of-state  bank  holding
companies or banks.

On  September  23,  1994,  the  Riegle  Community   Development  and  Regulatory
Improvement  Act of 1994 (the "1994 Act") was enacted  which covers a wide range
of  topics   including   small   business  and   commercial   real  estate  loan
securitization,  money  laundering,  flood insurance,  consumer home equity loan
disclosure  and  protection  as well as the  funding  of  community  development
projects and regulatory relief.

The major  items of  regulatory  relief  contained  in the 1994 Act  include  an
examination  schedule  that has been  eased for the top rated  banks and will be
every 18 months  for CAMEL 1 banks with less than $250  million in total  assets
and CAMEL 2 banks with less than $100  million in total assets (the $100 million
amount was amended to $250 million by the 1996 Act  discussed  above).  The 1994
Act amends Federal Deposit  Insurance  Corporation  Improvement Act of 1991 with
respect to the Section 124, the mandate to the federal banking agencies to issue
safety and soundness  regulations,  including  regulations  concerning executive
compensation   allowing  the  federal  banking  regulatory   agencies  to  issue
guidelines instead of regulations.

Further  regulatory  relief is  provided in the 1994 Act, as each of the federal
regulatory banking agencies  including the National Credit Union  Administration
Board is  required  to  establish  an internal  regulatory  appeals  process for
insured depository  institutions within 6 months. In addition, the Department of
Justice 30 day waiting  period for mergers  and  acquisitions  is reduced by the
1994 Act to 15 days for certain acquisitions and mergers.

In the area of currency transaction reports, the 1994 Act requires the Secretary
of  the  Treasury  to  allow   financial   institutions  to  file  such  reports
electronically.  The 1994 Act also  requires  the  Secretary  of the Treasury to
publish written rulings concerning the Bank Secrecy Act, and staff commentary on
Bank Secrecy Act regulations must also be published on an annual basis.

On  December  17,  1993,  the  President  signed into law the  Resolution  Trust
Corporation  Completion  Act to provide  additional  funding for failed  savings
associations  under the  jurisdiction of the Resolution  Trust  Corporation.  In
addition to providing such funding,  the legislation,  among other things, makes
it more  difficult  for the  federal  banking  agencies  to  obtain  prejudgment
injunctive relief against  depository  institutions and parties  affiliated with
such institutions,  extends the moratorium on depository institutions converting
from  Savings  Association  Insurance  Fund  insurance  to Bank  Insurance  Fund
insurance or vice versa, and prohibits the FDIC from using any deposit insurance
funds to benefit the shareholders of a failed or failing depository institution.

The Omnibus  Budget  Reconciliation  Act of 1993 (the "Budget  Act"),  which was
signed into law on August 10, 1993,  contains  numerous tax and other provisions
which may affect  financial  institutions and their  businesses.  The Budget Act
contains a provision that establishes a priority for depositors,  or the FDIC as
subrogee  thereof,  in the  event of a  liquidation  or other  resolution  of an
insured  depository  institution  for which a receiver is appointed after August
10, 1993. In addition, under the existing cross-guarantee  provisions of federal
banking  law,  the FDIC has the power to estimate  the cost of the failure of an
insured  depository  institution  and  assess a  charge  against  any  financial
institution affiliated with the failed institution.
<PAGE>



On December  19,  1991,  the FDIC  Improvement  Act of 1991 (the "1991 Act") was
signed into law. The 1991 Act provides for the  recapitalization  and funding of
the Bank  Insurance  Fund of the FDIC.  In addition,  the 1991 Act includes many
changes to banking law.  Supervisory reforms provided under the 1991 Act include
annual on-site full scope examinations of most insured institutions,  additional
audit and audit report requirements  imposed on most insured  institutions and a
new annual report requirement for most insured institutions. Accounting reforms,
including the  prescription  of accounting  principles  no less  stringent  than
generally accepted accounting principles,  and prescription of standards for the
disclosure of  off-balance  sheet items,  market value  information  and capital
adequacy,  are also  provided  for in the 1991 Act.  In  addition,  the 1991 Act
provides  for a new rating  system  for  insured  institutions  based on capital
adequacy.  Institutions  will be  categorized  as  critically  undercapitalized,
significantly  undercapitalized,  undercapitalized,  adequately  capitalized and
well capitalized.

The FDIC has adopted  definitions of how institutions  will be ranked for prompt
corrective  action  purposes.  These  definitions  are  as  follows:  (i) a well
capitalized  institution  is one  that  has a  leverage  ratio  of 5%,  a Tier 1
risk-based  capital ratio of 6%, a total risk-based  capital ratio of 10% and is
not  subject to any  written  order or final  directive  by the FDIC to meet and
maintain a specific capital level; (ii) an adequately capitalized institution is
one that meets the minimum  required  capital  adequacy levels but not that of a
well capitalized institution;  (iii) an undercapitalized institution is one that
fails to meet any one of the minimum required capital adequacy levels but not as
undercapitalized  as  a  significantly   undercapitalized  institution;  (iv)  a
significantly  undercapitalized  institution is one that has a total  risk-based
capital ratio of less than 6% and/or a leverage ratio of less than 3%; and (v) a
critically  undercapitalized  institution  is one with a leverage  ratio of less
than 2%.

The  banking  regulators  will have broad  powers to  regulate  undercapitalized
institutions.  Undercapitalized institutions must file capital restoration plans
and are automatically subject to restrictions on dividends,  management fees and
asset  growth.  In addition,  the  institution  is  prohibited  from opening new
branches,  making  acquisitions or engaging in new lines of business without the
approval of its appropriate banking regulator.

Holding  companies with  undercapitalized  institutions  will be prohibited from
capital  distributions without the prior approval of the FRB. Definite drop dead
dates  are  mandated  under  the 1991 Act for when  critically  undercapitalized
insured  institutions must go under receivership or  conservator-ship.  

The 1991 Act also requires the regulators to issue  regulations in many areas of
banking  including  prescribing  safety and  soundness  standards as to internal
controls,  asset quality,  earnings, stock valuation and executive compensation.
Least cost resolution is mandated by the 1991 Act which will require the FDIC to
use the least cost method case resolution. Beginning in 1995, the FDIC generally
will not be  permitted to cover  uninsured  depositors  or creditors  unless the
President,  Secretary of Treasury and the FDIC  jointly  determine  that such is
necessary to avoid systemic risk.

The  1991  Act  also  contains  miscellaneous  provisions  including  additional
regulation  of  foreign  banks,   notification  of  branch   closures,   reduced
assessments for lifeline  account  products,  FDIC affordable  housing  program,
Truth in  Savings  disclosure  provisions,  limitations  on  brokered  deposits,
restrictions on state bank  nonbanking  activities,  risk-based  assessments and
deposit  insurance  limitations  for certain  accounts.  The FDIC also adopted a
risk-based  assessment  system for purposes of determining the insurance premium
to be paid by a bank for  FDIC  deposit  insurance.  In  addition,  the 1991 Act
requires  that federal  banking  regulators  take into account  risks other than
credit  risks with  respect to capital  standards.  On  September  1, 1995,  the
federal banking regulators (other than the Office of Thrift Supervision ("OTS"))
issued a final rule to take into account  interest rate risk in calculating risk
based capital.  On June 26, 1996, a joint agency policy  statement was issued by
all of the  federal  banking  regulators  except the OTS to provide  guidance on
sound  practices for managing  interest  rate risk.  The agencies did not in the
policy statement elect not to implement a standardized  measure and quantitative
capital  charge,  though the  matter  was left open for  future  implementation.
Rather the policy  statement  provided  standards  for the  banking  agencies to
evaluate  the  adequacy  and  effectiveness  of  a  bank's  interest  rate  risk
management   and   guidance  to  bankers  for  managing   interest   rate  risk.
Specifically, effective interest rate risk management requires that there be (I)
effective board and senior management oversight of the bank's interest rate risk
activities,  (ii)  appropriate  policies  and  practices in place to control and
limit  risks,  (iii)  accurate  and timely  identification  and  measurement  of
interest rate risk,  (iv) an adequate  system for  monitoring and reporting risk
exposures and (v) appropriate internal controls for effective interest rate risk
management.
<PAGE>



The Comprehensive Thrift and Bank Fraud Prosecution and Taxpayer Recovery Act of
1990 (the "Crime Bill"), signed into law on November 29, 1990, also expanded the
enforcement powers of regulatory authorities. The Crime Bill increases fines and
prison  terms  for  various  financial  institution  related  crimes;   appoints
additional  prosecutors;  establishes  a system of rewards for people  providing
information leading to the prosecution of financial institution crimes; mandates
prison  terms of ten  years  to life for  "kingpins"  of  financial  institution
crimes; makes it a crime to obstruct the examination of a financial  institution
to conceal  assets from a conservator or to impede  conservatorship  operations;
provides for the forfeiture of assets  obtained  through bank crimes;  prohibits
persons  convicted  of bank crimes from  engaging in certain  transactions  with
financial  institutions or regulatory  agencies;  and provides that  liabilities
arising from a breach of fiduciary duty to a financial institution or the breach
of an agreement to maintain the  institution's  capital  cannot be discharged in
bankruptcy.  Further,  the Crime Bill  prohibits  a financial  institution  from
prepaying the salary,  liabilities or legal  expenses of an affiliated  party if
such prepayments are made in contemplation of an institution's  insolvency or if
such   prepayments   will  prevent  normal  payments  from  being  made  to  the
institution's creditors.  Golden parachute and indemnification payments can also
be  prohibited  by  regulatory  authorities  in  certain  circumstances  if  the
institution is insolvent, is in conservatorship or receivership,  is in troubled
condition,  or has received a regulatory  rating in one of the two lowest rating
categories (or in contemplation of such events).

On August 9, 1989, Financial Institutions Reform,  Recovery, and Enforcement Act
of 1989 ("FIRREA") was signed into law. FIRREA provided  funding in the range of
many billions of dollars for the  so-called  "bailout" of insolvent or seriously
undercapitalized savings and loans, reorganized the federal regulatory structure
of the financial institution industry, and expanded the enforcement authority of
banking supervisory  agencies.  Tighter regulatory  standards are required under
FIRREA for the  performance of real estate  appraisals,  and FIRREA provides for
greater  examination  and  disclosure  of an  insured  depository  institution's
compliance   with  the   Community   Reinvestment   Act  which  deals  with  the
institution's  record  of  meeting  the  credit  needs of its  entire  community
including low and moderate income neighborhoods.

It is likely that other bills  affecting the business of banks may be introduced
in the future by the United States Congress or Nevada legislature.

A discussion of accounting changes is included under Management's Discussion and
Analysis.

Government Monetary Policies

The  commercial  banking  business  is  affected  not only by  general  economic
conditions,  but  also  by the  monetary  policies  of  regulatory  authorities,
including  the Board of  Governors of the Federal  Reserve  System and the FDIC.
These  government  monetary  policies  have  had a  significant  effect  on  the
operating  results of commercial banks in general,  and are expected to continue
to do so in the future.

The Federal  Reserve Board  regulates the national supply of bank credit by open
market  dealings  in United  States  government  securities  and  changes in the
discount rate on member bank borrowings. The monetary policies of these agencies
are influenced by various factors, including inflation, unemployment, short term
and long  term  changes  in the  international  trade  balance,  and the  fiscal
policies of the United States  government.  Future  monetary  policies,  and the
affect of such policies on the future business and earnings of Bancorp and Bank,
cannot be predicted.

Lending Activities

The following  represents the significant  categories of loans originated at the
Bank and the related risks associated with each type of lending activity:

Construction  Lending:  Target market is the small and medium size local builder
developing  entry-level  or first move up type single family  residence  tracts.
Bank will  typically  finance in  appropriately  sized phases and have  pre-sale
requirements. Bank will finance owner-builder single family residence properties
for  qualified  borrowers.  Financing  is  available  on  a  limited  basis  for
speculative properties to financially sound borrowers.
Voucher control is required.

Risks include  over-advance  on collateral,  environmental  hazards,  mis-use of
construction funds, project location and quality, and general real estate market
conditions.
<PAGE>



Commercial Mortgages:  Such loans are used to fund the re-finance or acquisition
of commercial  property,  which is typically owner occupied,  or where the owner
occupies a significant portion of the property.  These properties are usually of
the office-warehouse configuration.  Funding of speculative or income properties
is very limited.  Risks include, but not limited to, over-advance on collateral,
single-purpose  structure,  environmental  hazards,  and commercial  real estate
market conditions.

Business Term:  Used to fund  equipment  purchases and plant  expansions.  These
loans are usually  structured on a fully  amortizing basis for term of 3-5 years
and are generally secured by equipment financed.  Risks include  over-advance on
equipment   purchased,   insufficient   debt   service   coverage,   unique   or
single-purpose equipment with a limited re-sale market.

Revolving  Lines of Credit:  Lines are used to fund short term  working  capital
needs, finance accounts receivable and inventory purchases. Lines can be secured
or unsecured.  Risks include normal credit risks,  improper usage,  diversion of
funds and the risk of the lines not revolving properly.

Investment Policy

At December 31, 1996,  Bancorp had approximately  $121,876,000 in its investment
portfolio.  As part of Bank's normal operation,  deposits not used to fund loans
are invested in a variety of securities  offered by the Federal  Government  and
certain of its agencies,  as well as  municipalities.  The general philosophy of
the  Bank is to  invest  for  relatively  short  periods  of time and not try to
outguess the market.  The stated policy of the Bank is that 70% of the portfolio
must mature within three years.  The policy also stipulates  allowable levels of
investments  and,  in the  case  of  municipal  bonds,  the  acceptable  ratings
required.  While there is interest rate risk involved with any  investment,  the
short term nature of the  portfolio  minimizes  Bank's  exposure to  substantial
fluctuations in interest rates. Additionally,  management maintains the majority
of the investment  portfolio on a fixed rate basis.  When  purchasing  municipal
bonds, Bank attempts to offset the credit risk by demanding  sufficient  spreads
to government bonds to compensate for the risk of default. At December 31, 1996,
the portfolio is comprised of  approximately  56% Treasuries  and Agencies,  23%
Collateralized  Mortgage  Obligations  issued  by  Government  Agencies  and 18%
Municipal Bonds.

Interest Rate Risk

Management  attempts to protect  earnings from wide shifts in interest  rates by
employing the following strategies:

Loans:  Approximately  95%  of  the  Bank's  loan  portfolio  is  written  on an
adjustable  basis that  floats with the Bank's  base rate.  Thus,  approximately
$120,401,000 reprices immediately upon a change in the base rate.

Investments:  Total investments  represent  approximately 38% of total assets at
December 31, 1996. In administering the investment portfolio, management adheres
to the Company's "Investment Portfolio Policy and Guidelines",  "Asset/Liability
Policy" and  "Interest  Rate Risk  Policy".  These  internal  policy  guidelines
dictate the average  life of at least 70% of the  investment  portfolio to be no
greater than three years.  The actual  average life of the portfolio at December
31, 1996 was  approximately  1.92 years.  This  strategy  of  maintaining  short
maturities provides maximum flexibility in managing  fluctuating interest rates.
Additionally,  the  majority  of the  investment  portfolio  is of a fixed  rate
nature.  This  enables  management  to  provide an  underlying  level of income,
irrespective  of changes in  interest  rates.  Diversification  for all areas of
investments  is a key element in interest  rate risk.  Management  monitors  the
investment  portfolio to ensure that an  appropriate  balance is  maintained  in
terms of both maturity and type of investment instrument. Monitoring is aided by
the use of a computer program,  specializing in  Asset/Liability  Management and
Interest Rate Risk.

Deposits:  Management  discourages  use of long-term  Certificates of Deposit by
consistently  paying at or below  market  rates and not  offering  greater  than
one-year  maturities,  with the exception of 18 month IRAs and SEPs. At December
31, 1996,  approximately  61% of time deposits had a maturity of three months or
less. Due to the large concentration of business accounts,  approximately 44% of
all deposits at December 31, 1996 are non-interest bearing.

The above factors provide  management the opportunity to maintain  favorable net
interest margins under most normal interest rate scenarios.
<PAGE>



Employees

Bancorp, together with its subsidiaries,  had 116 full-time equivalent employees
as of January 1, 1997.

         d.  Financial  Information  About Foreign and Domestic  Operations  and
Export Sales

Not applicable.

ITEM 2 - PROPERTIES

Bancorp operates out of Bank's head office located at 4425 Spring Mountain Road,
Las Vegas,  Nevada,  89102. The Bank also operates branch offices located at 727
South 9th Street,  Las Vegas,  Nevada,  89104,  1690 East  Flamingo,  Las Vegas,
Nevada,  89119, 2980 West Sahara Avenue,  Las Vegas,  Nevada,  89102 and at 4050
Losee Road, North Las Vegas, Nevada, 89030. The Spring Mountain, West Sahara and
Losee Road properties are owned by Bank, the  construction of which was provided
by internal  available  funds.  The premises for the South 9th and East Flamingo
branches are leased.  The rental  payments for 1996 made for all premises  total
$206,456.  Leases for the South 9th Street and East Flamingo  offices  terminate
August 31, 2001 and November 30, 2006, respectively.

During the third  quarter  of 1996,  the  Company  completed  construction  on a
two-story  16,000 square foot office complex  located  adjacent to its corporate
headquarters  site which now  houses  its  Financial  Services  department.  The
building also offers additional leasing  opportunities with approximately 13,000
rentable  square feet of class "A" office  space.  As of December 31, 1996,  the
Company had finalized  lease  agreements with tenants for  approximately  10,600
square  feet.  Negotiations  to  rent  the  remainder  are  ongoing.  Management
anticipates  having the building  fully  occupied by the second quarter of 1997.
Plans are underway for a third building at the Company's corporate  headquarters
site. The building will be designed to accommodate the Check Processing and Data
Processing  departments  as well as drive-up  windows.  The Bank's newest branch
facility  located in the industrial  area of North Las Vegas was officially open
as of August 7, 1996 and is now serving customers located within that area. This
newest  branch  consists of  approximately  5,000  square feet with two drive up
windows.  The Bank now has a total of five  branches  throughout  the Las  Vegas
area.  Construction  of both facilities was funded by cash flows from operations
and had no significant impact on capital.  During the fourth quarter of 1996 the
Company purchased  approximately 2.22 acres of raw land in the southwest area of
Las Vegas and anticipates  opening another branch office during 1997. This would
make a total of six branches in the Las Vegas Valley area.  Construction  of the
new  processing  center  and  branch  will be funded  through  cash  flows  from
operations. The impact on capital is not expected to be significant.


ITEM 3 - LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

No material legal  proceedings are pending  against Bancorp or its  subsidiaries
other than ordinary,  routine  litigation  incidental to the business of Bancorp
and its subsidiaries.

ITEM 4 - SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

Not applicable.
<PAGE>


PART II


ITEM 5 - MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

         a.    Market Information

The  Company's  common  stock trades on the NASDAQ  National  Market tier of the
NASDAQ stock market under the symbol:ABCN.


The  following  table sets forth  certain stock  quotations  for each  quarterly
period since January 1, 1995.  Stock prices  represent the range of high and low
quotations from the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Such market
quotations may not represent actual transactions.  Amounts have been adjusted to
reflect stock splits and stock dividends.

                                                            Stock Price
                                                    ----------------------------
              Quarter Ended                            High               Low
- ------------------------------------------          ---------          ---------

March, 1997 (through March 10, 1997) .....          $   20.50          $   15.25
December, 1996 ...........................          $   17.50          $   15.00
September, 1996 ..........................          $   18.25          $   13.00
June, 1996 ...............................          $   24.00          $   16.50
March, 1996 ..............................          $   20.00          $   15.00
December, 1995 ...........................          $   16.00          $   12.75
September, 1995 ..........................          $   13.00          $   12.25
June, 1995 ...............................          $   13.00          $   12.00
March, 1995 ..............................          $   14.50          $   12.25

         b. Holders

The  approximate  number of holders of  Bancorp's  common  stock is based on the
number of record holders as of December 31, 1996, and is 650.

         c.    Dividends

On March 18, 1996,  the Board of  Directors of the Company  declared a 15% stock
dividend on the outstanding shares of common stock of the Company,  effective on
April 9, 1996 to  stockholders of record on April 2, 1996. On March 20, 1995 the
Board of Directors of the Company declared a  four-for-three  stock split on the
outstanding  shares of common stock of the Company,  effective on April 11, 1995
to  stockholders  of record  on April 4,  1995.  On March 21,  1994 the Board of
Directors of the Company declared a 15% stock dividend on the outstanding shares
of common stock of the company  effective on April 12, 1994 to  stockholders  of
record on April 5, 1994.

It is the policy of Bancorp to pay cash dividends to  shareholders  only when it
is  prudent  to  do  so  and  Bancorp's   performance   justifies  such  action.
Accordingly, no assurance can be given that cash dividends will ever be declared
by Bancorp.  At this time,  it is not the  intention  of Bancorp to declare cash
dividends for the foreseeable future.

State of Nevada banking regulations  restrict  distribution of the net assets of
the Bank because such  regulations  require the sum of the Bank's  stockholders'
equity and  allowance  for loan  losses to be at least 6% of the  average of the
Bank's total daily deposit liabilities for the preceding 60 days. As a result of
these  regulations,  approximately  $14,175,000  and  $12,367,500  of the Bank's
stockholders' equity was restricted at December 31, 1996 and 1995, respectively.

<PAGE>



ITEM 6 - SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
<TABLE>

At Year-End                                       1996            1995             1994             1993           1992
                                             -------------   -------------    -------------    -------------   -------------
<S>                                          <C>             <C>              <C>              <C>             <C>

Total Securities (2) .....................   $ 121,875,695   $ 120,589,071    $ 115,800,375    $ 111,322,628   $  83,301,300
Total Net Loans ..........................     125,426,641      93,244,167       75,378,085       65,057,540      56,123,073
Total Assets .............................     317,854,123     276,690,628      227,419,250      210,463,073     178,243,042


Total Deposits ...........................     248,595,953     211,523,839      192,811,233      173,664,075     154,909,321

Total Stockholders' Equity (2) ...........      31,651,410      26,888,923       20,131,146       17,928,913      15,415,916

For the Year

Total Interest Income ....................   $  20,272,630   $  19,408,247    $  14,416,296    $  11,298,826   $   9,872,039
Total Interest Expense ...................       5,792,329       6,015,423        3,323,811        2,768,571       2,891,802
Net Interest Income ......................      14,480,301      13,392,824       11,092,485        8,530,255       6,980,237
Provision for Loan Loss ..................         375,000         570,000           20,000          130,000         150,000
Securities Gain/(Loss) ...................         307,258         (19,922)        (246,245)         349,066         399,772
Income before cumulative
  effect of change in
  accounting principle (1) ...............       4,877,378       4,107,091        3,314,281        2,222,168       1,831,252
Net Income ...............................       4,877,378       4,107,091        3,314,281        2,307,168       1,831,252

Per Share Data (4)

Income before cumulative
 effect of change in
 accounting principle (1) ................   $        1.28   $        1.10    $         .90    $         .63   $         .54
Net Income ...............................            1.28            1.10              .90              .65             .54
Cash Dividends (none paid)
Book value per share (2) (3) .............            8.51            7.20             6.10             5.19            4.56
<FN>
(1) Federal Income Taxes
</FN>
</TABLE>
Effective  January 1, 1993,  Bancorp adopted  Statement of Financial  Accounting
Standards No. 109 ("SFAS  109"),  Accounting  for Income Taxes.  The adoption of
SFAS 109 changed Bancorp's method of accounting for income taxes to an asset and
liability  approach.  Prior to 1993,  Bancorp  accounted  for income taxes under
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 96 (SFAS96).

(2) FAS 115

Book value for 1996,  1995 and 1994 is calculated  exclusive of an adjustment to
total capital of $16,000,  $284,000 and  ($1,987,500)  respectively,  net of tax
effect,  as a result of FAS 115,  which requires banks to "Mark to Market" those
investment securities it has designated as "available-for-sale".  All securities
within  the  Company's  investment  portfolio  were  classified  as  "available-
for-sale" at December 31, 1996 and 1995.

(3) Book value per share is based on the actual number of outstanding  shares at
December 31.

(4) Amounts  have been  adjusted to reflect the effect of stock splits and stock
dividends.
<PAGE>



STATISTICAL DISCLOSURE BY BANK HOLDING COMPANIES

I.  DISTRIBUTION OF ASSETS, LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (In Thousands)

ASSETS                                                      1996
                                             -----------------------------------
                                              Average
                                              Balance     Interest  % Yield/Rate
                                             ---------   ---------- ------------
                                                                          (1)

Loans (2)(3) .............................   $ 106,221   $   12,592      11.85
Securities: (4)
     Taxable - AFS (5) ...................     100,642        6,113       6.07
     Non-taxable - AFS ...................      24,697        1,180       4.78
Federal Funds Sold .......................       7,340          388       5.29
                                             ----------------------


Total Interest Earning Assets ............     238,900       20,273       8.49
                                             ----------------------

Cash & Due From Banks ....................      27,105
Premises and Equipment, net ..............      11,516
Other ....................................       3,826
                                             ---------

Total Non-Interest Earning ...............      42,447
                                             ---------
Total Assets .............................     281,347
                                             =========

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Interest Bearing Demand Deposit ..........   $  94,637    $   3,429       3.62
Savings Deposits .........................      15,462          530       3.43
Time Deposits ............................       9,718          417       4.29
Repurchase Agreements ....................      37,627        1,416       3.76
                                             ----------------------

Total Interest Bearing Liabilities .......     157,444        5,792       3.68
                                             ----------------------
Non-Interest Bearing Deposits ............      92,188
Other ....................................       1,856
                                             ---------
Total Non-Interest Bearing Liabilities ...      94,044
Stockholders' Equity .....................      29,859
                                             ---------
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity     281,347
                                             ========

Net Interest Earned                                          14,481
                                                             ======
                                                          
Net Yield On Interest Earning Assets                                      6.06

(1)  The  yield/rate  is  calculated  by dividing  interest  earned/paid  by the
     average balance. The presentation is not on a tax equivalent basis.

(2)  Loan fees are included in the interest yield calculation. Loan fees for the
     year ended December 31, 1996 are  $1,715,000.  The interest yield excluding
     fees is 10.24%.  (3)  Non-accrual  loans are included in the interest yield
     calculation.  The daily average of non-accrual  loans for 1996 is $209,242.
     (4) Yield is  calculated  by dividing  the  interest  earned by the average
     historical  cost (not market value) of the  securities.  (5) Other interest
     bearing  accounts  having an average  balance of $5,500,000 are included in
     taxable securities.

<PAGE>
                                                                          
STATISTICAL DISCLOSURE BY BANK HOLDING COMPANIES

I.  DISTRIBUTION OF ASSETS, LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (In Thousands)

ASSETS                                                       1995
                                                --------------------------------
                                                Average
                                                Balance    Interest % Yield/Rate
                                               ---------  --------- ------------
                                                                          (1)

Loans (2)(3)...........................        $   89,663  $ 11,564      12.90
Securities: (4)
     Taxable - AFS (5) ................            95,234     6,043       6.35
     Taxable - HTM ....................               655        48       7.33
     Non-taxable - AFS ................             6,170       291       4.72

     Non-taxable - HTM ................            22,738     1,071       4.71

Federal Funds Sold ....................             6,735       391       5.81
                                               --------------------
Total Interest Earning Assets .........           221,195    19,408       8.77
                                               --------------------

Cash & Due From Banks .................            22,094
Premises and Equipment, net ...........             9,738
Other .................................             3,113
                                               ----------
Total Non-Interest Earning ............            34,945
Total Assets ..........................           256,140

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Interest Bearing Demand Deposit .......         $  98,210  $   3,889      3.96
Savings Deposits ......................            17,709        632      3.57
Time Deposits .........................            11,618        476      4.10
Repurchase Agreements .................            24,217      1,018      4.20
                                                --------------------
Total Interest Bearing Liabilities ....           151,754      6,015      3.96
                                                --------------------
Non-Interest Bearing Deposits .........            78,531
Other .................................             1,524
                                                ---------
Total Non-Interest Bearing Liabilities.            80,055
Stockholders' Equity ..................            24,331
                                                ---------
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' 
  Equity ..............................           256,140
                                                =========
Net Interest Earned                                          13,393
                                                             ======
Net Yield On Interest Earning Assets                                       6.05

(1)  The  yield/rate  is  calculated  by dividing  interest  earned/paid  by the
     average balance. The presentation is not on a tax equivalent basis.

(2)  Loan fees are included in the interest yield calculation. Loan fees for the
     year ended December 31, 1995 are  $1,623,146.  The interest yield excluding
     fees is 11.09%.  

(3)  Non-accrual loans are included in the interest yield calculation. The daily
     average of non-accrual loans for 1995 is $158,846.
     
(4)  Yield  is  calculated  by  dividing  the  interest  earned  by the  average
     historical cost (not market value) of the securities.

(5)  Other interest bearing accounts having an average balance of $6,400,000 are
     included in taxable securities.
<PAGE>

STATISTICAL DISCLOSURE BY BANK HOLDING COMPANIES

I.  DISTRIBUTION OF ASSETS, LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (In Thousands)

ASSETS                                                      1994
                                              ----------------------------------
                                              Average
                                              Balance    Interest   % Yield/Rate
                                             ---------   ---------  ------------
                                                                         (1)

Loans (2)(3) .............................   $  69,084   $   8,307      12.02
Securities: (4)
     Taxable - AFS (5) ...................      79,328       4,270       5.38
     Taxable - HTM .......................         807          60       1.43
     Non-taxable - AFS ...................       4,628         211       4.56
     Non-taxable - HTM ...................      32,211       1,376       4.27
Federal Funds Sold .......................       4,876         192       3.94
                                             ---------------------
Total Interest Earning Assets ............   $ 190,934   $  14,416       7.55
                                             ---------------------

Cash & Due From Banks ....................      21,318
Premises and Equipment, net ..............       9,303
Other ....................................       2,605
                                             ---------
Total Non-Interest Earning ...............      33,226
                                             ---------
Total Assets .............................   $ 224,160
                                             =========

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Interest Bearing Demand Deposits .........   $  83,469   $   2,107       2.52
Savings Deposits .........................      18,095         502       2.77
Time Deposits ............................      10,814         331       3.06
Repurchase Agreements ....................      13,785         384       2.79
                                             ---------------------
Total Interest Bearing Liabilities .......   $ 126,163   $   3,324       2.63
                                             ---------------------

Non-Interest Bearing Deposits ............      76,594
Other ....................................         962
                                             ---------
Total Non-Interest Bearing Liabilities ...      77,556
                                             ---------
Stockholders' Equity .....................      20,441
                                             ---------
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity   $ 224,160
                                             =========
Net Interest Earned ......................               $  11,092
                                                         =========
Net Yield On Interest Earning Assets .....                               5.81

(1)  The  yield/rate  is  calculated  by dividing  interest  earned/paid  by the
     average balance. The presentation is not on a tax equivalent basis.

(2)  Loan fees are included in the interest yield calculation. Loan fees for the
     year ended December 31, 1994 are  $1,613,131.  The interest yield excluding
     fees is 9.69%.  

(3)  Non-accrual loans are included in the interest yield calculation. The daily
     average of non-accrual  loans for 1994 is $96,073.  

(4)  Yield  is  calculated  by  dividing  the  interest  earned  by the  average
     historical  cost (not market value) of the  securities.  

(5)  Other interest  bearing accounts having an average balance of $3,300,00 are
     included in taxable securities.
<PAGE>

                                                          
I.    INTEREST DIFFERENTIAL (In Thousands)

ASSETS                                     1996 Compared to 1995
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 

                                       Total       Volume   Yield/Rate
                                       Change     Variance   Variance
                                       -------    --------  ----------
                                                                (2)

Loans (1) ..........................   $ 1,028    $ 2,136    $(1,108)
Securities:
     Taxable .......................        22        302       (280)
     Non-taxable ...................      (182)      (198)        16
Federal Funds Sold .................        (3)        35        (38)
                                       -------    -------    -------

Total Interest Earning Assets ......   $   865    $ 2,275    $(1,410)
                                       =======    =======    =======

LIABILITIES

Interest Bearing Demand Deposits ...   $  (460)   $  (141)   $  (319)
Savings Deposits ...................      (102)       (80)       (22)
Time Deposits ......................       (59)       (78)        19
Repurchase Agreements ..............       398        564       (166)
                                       -------    -------    -------
Total Interest Bearing Liabilities .   $  (223)   $   265    $  (488)
                                       =======    =======    =======

(1)  Interest  accrued  on all  non-accruing  loans  has been  reversed  for the
     current year and the income accounts adjusted accordingly.

(2)  The rate/volume variance is included in the rate variance.

ASSETS                                      1995 Compared to 1994
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                        Total       Volume   Yield/Rate
                                        Change     Variance   Variance
                                        -------    --------  ----------
                                                                 (2)

Loans (1) ...........................   $ 3,257    $ 2,475    $   782
Securities:
     Taxable - AFS ..................     1,773        856        917
     Taxable - HTM ..................       (12)       (11)        (1)
     Non-taxable - AFS ..............        80         70         10
     Non-taxable - HTM ..............      (305)      (405)       100
Federal Funds Sold and ..............       199         73        126
                                        -------    -------    -------

Total Interest Earning Assets .......   $ 4,992    $ 3,058    $ 1,934
                                        =======    =======    =======


LIABILITIES

Interest Bearing Demand Deposits ....   $ 1,782    $   372    $ 1,410
Savings Deposits ....................       130        (11)       141
Time Deposits .......................       145         25        120
Repurchase Agreements ...............       634        291        343
                                        -------    -------    -------

Total Interest Bearing Liabilities ..   $ 2,691    $   677    $ 2,014
                                        =======    =======    =======

(1)  Interest  accrued  on all  non-accruing  loans  has been  reversed  for the
     current year and the income accounts adjusted accordingly.

(2)  The rate/volume variance is included in the rate variance.
<PAGE>


II.    INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO

The following  table shows the  contractual  maturity  distribution  by carrying
amount and weighted average yield to maturity of Bancorp's  investment portfolio
at December 31, 1996.

Available for Sale
<TABLE>
                             Less than One Year   One through Five Years   Five through Ten Years      Over Ten Years      Total
                            Amount       %Yield   Amount         %Yield    Amount          %Yield    Amount    %Yield      Amount
                         -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                      <C>             <C>      <C>            <C>       <C>             <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
Equity securities (2)    $  3,000,000      4.98                                                                          $ 3,000,000
3,000,000
U.S. Treasury and
other U.S. govt.
agencies and
corporations (1)           34,286,270      6.00   33,090,389      6.19       405,510        9.73            0        0    67,782,169

Obligations of states
and political
subdivisions                6,317,090      4.62   13,345,882      4.87     2,843,098        5.05            0        0    22,506,070

Collateralized Mortgage
obligations                 6,890,540      6.29   20,778,786      6.21       416,730        5.16            0        0    28,086,056

Other securities              501,400      5.87            0        0              0           0            0        0       501,400
                          -----------            -----------              ----------                ---------           ------------
Total                     $50,995,300            $67,215,057              $3,665,338                $       0           $121,875,695
                          ==========================================================================================================
</TABLE>
Maturities may differ from  contractual  maturities in  collateralized  mortgage
obligations  because the mortgages  underlying  the  securities may be called or
repaid without penalties.  Yields on tax exempt securities are not calculated on
a tax equivalent basis.

(1)  Structured  notes with a balance of  $8,279,949  at  December  31, 1996 are
     included  in  U.S.  Treasury  and  other  U.S.   government   agencies  and
     corporations.

(2)  Equity securities consist of Dutch Auction rate preferred stocks which bear
     interest and generally have an average maturity of 49 days from the date of
     issuance.

The  following  table  shows the  carrying  amount of the  Company's  investment
portfolio at December 31, 1995 and 1994.

                                                  1995                  1994
                                                  Total                 Total
                                                  Amount                Amount
                                               ------------         ------------
                                                      Available for Sale
                                               ---------------------------------

Equity securities ....................         $  5,479,711         $  8,000,000

U.S. Treasury and other U.S. govt 
  agencies and corporations ..........           69,587,402           65,392,565

Obligations of states and political
  subdivisions .......................           25,909,258            4,692,411

Collateralized mortgage obligations ..           18,881,783            9,917,073

Other securities .....................              730,917            1,195,121
                                               ------------         ------------
Total ................................         $120,589,071         $ 89,197,170
                                               ============         ============

                                                                Held to Maturity
                                                                ----------------
Obligations of states and political
  subdivisions ........................................            $26,603,205
                                                                   -----------
Total .................................................            $26,603,205
                                                                   ===========
<PAGE>


                                                                     
III.LOAN PORTFOLIO

A.  The composition of Bancorp's loan portfolio is as follows:
<TABLE>
                                                           1996              1995           1994            1993            1992
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                     <C>             <C>             <C>              <C>            <C>       
Real estate loans:
     Construction ..................................    $ 24,105,582    $ 15,113,573    $ 19,675,572    $ 12,391,794    $ 13,053,544
     Residential ...................................      11,594,713      10,643,190       6,907,000       8,983,865       5,972,420
     Commercial ....................................      48,274,044      34,627,184      28,164,512      24,716,731      17,175,380
                                                        ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Real Estate Loans ............................      83,974,339      60,383,947      54,747,084      46,092,390      36,201,344
                                                        ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Commercial, financial and industrial loans .........      35,428,680      24,875,838      17,875,351      16,742,024      18,134,842
Commercial receivables financing ...................       3,329,322       2,396,952               0               0               0
Loans to individuals ...............................       4,977,794       7,340,220       4,156,000       3,447,244       2,824,022
                                                        ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         127,710,135      94,996,957      76,778,435      66,281,658      57,160,208
                                                                             
Less unearned net loans fees .......................         972,058         510,170         673,451         574,866         512,693
                                                        ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Loans ........................................    $126,738,077    $ 94,486,787    $ 76,104,984    $ 65,706,792    $ 56,647,515
                                                        ============================================================================
</TABLE>

B.   Maturities and Sensitivity of Loans to Changes in Interest Rates

The following  table shows the balances of commercial,  financial and industrial
loans and real estate - construction  loans  outstanding as of December 31, 1996
by maturities,  based on remaining scheduled repayments of principal. Also shown
are the balance of loans due after one year, classified according to sensitivity
to changes in interest rates.

                                    MATURITY
<TABLE>
                                                     One Year or Less  One Through Five Years   After Five Years             Total
                                                     ----------------  ----------------------   ----------------          ----------
<S>                                                  <C>               <C>                      <C>                       <C> 
1996
- ----

Commercial, Financial and Industrial .......           $24,724,507           $10,092,199           $   611,974           $35,428,680

Real Estate - Construction .................            23,564,996               540,586                     0            24,105,582
                                                       -----------           -----------           -----------           -----------
Total ......................................           $48,289,503           $10,632,785           $   611,974           $59,534,262
                                                       ===========           ===========           ===========           ===========
</TABLE>

The maturity of certain loans may vary due to the Bank's  rollover  policy.  The
Bank will  consider  extending  the  maturity of a loan upon  receipt of current
financial  information  and  evaluation of the loan  performance,  the financial
performance  of the  business,  and  overall  economic  conditions.  Loans  with
maturities so affected have been revised as appropriate in the above table.

                              INTEREST SENSITIVITY

     The following  table  represents the total amount of commercial,  financial
and industrial loans and real estate construction loans due after one year which
(a) have  predetermined  interest  rates  and (b) have  floating  or  adjustable
interest rates.

Loans Due After One Year                            1996
- ---------------------------                      -----------

Fixed or Predetermined Rate                      $ 1,257,948

Floating or Adjustable Rate                        9,986,811

Total                                            $11,244,759

<PAGE>


C.  Risk Elements

1.   The table  below shows the  aggregate  amount of loans  accounted  for on a
     non-accrual basis,  accruing loans which are contractually past due 90 days
     or more as to  principal  or interest  and loans which are  "troubled  debt
     restructurings"  as defined in statement of Financial  Accounting  Standard
     No.  15,   "Accounting   for  Debtors  and   Creditors  for  Troubled  Debt
     Restructurings" as of year end for the past five years.

                                  Non-Accrual  Past Due 90   Troubled Debt
            December 31             Amount     Days or More  Restructuring
            -----------           ----------------------------------------

            1996                   $700,171     $      0     $      0        
            1995                    765,961            0            0
            1994                          0        5,000            0
            1993                     56,000            0            0        
            1992                    705,000      525,174            0

Loans are placed on non-accrual status when they go over 90 days delinquent,  or
when  circumstances  indicate  that timely  collection  of interest is doubtful.
Loans over 90 days  delinquent may be left on accrual status if a repayment plan
has been negotiated and it appears likely that all interest will be paid.

The gross interest income that would have been recorded on non-accrual loans for
the year ended  December  31, 1996 if the loans had been  current in  accordance
with their  original  terms is $23,545.  The amount of interest  income on those
loans that was  included in net income for the year ended  December  31, 1996 is
$96,447.

2.   Potential Problem Loans

     As of December  31, 1996 there are no loans  outstanding,  excluding  those
     identified in Item III.C.1.  above, which causes management to have serious
     doubts as to the ability of the borrower to comply with the loan  repayment
     terms.

3.   Foreign Outstandings

     The Bancorp did not have any foreign loans  outstanding for the years ended
     December 31, 1996, 1995, or 1994.

4.   Loan Concentrations

     The loan portfolio is concentrated in the Southern Nevada area.  Within the
     portfolio there is a concentration in real estate lending,  with commercial
     real  estate  lending  representing  approximately  38% of total  loans and
     construction  lending at 19%.  All real estate  loans are secured  with 1st
     trust deeds with  conservative  loan-to-value  ratios  supported by current
     appraisals.   Commercial   real   estate   loans   are   on   predominantly
     owner-occupied  properties,  or where  the  owner  occupies  a  significant
     portion of the  property.  Land  values in the Las Vegas area  continue  to
     increase as the population of the area reflects strong growth. Construction
     loans are primarily  for small to medium tracts of SFRs in the  $100M-$135M
     range.   Concentrations  are  reviewed  quarterly  to  control  lending  on
     speculative  projects.  Land loans represent a small portion of real estate
     lending, are conservatively underwritten,  and are often made in connection
     with project development.

D.   Other Interest Bearing Assets

     As of December 31, 1996,  Bancorp had no other interest bearing assets that
     would be required to be disclosed  under Item  III.C.1 or III.C.2,  if such
     assets were loans.

IV.  SUMMARY OF LOAN LOSS EXPERIENCE

A.   Analysis of the Allowance for Loan Losses

The  following  table  details  the amount of loans  charged to reserve  and the
additions to the allowance for loan losses for the past five years.
<PAGE>


Each month,  the Bank's  allowance  for loan losses is reviewed to determine the
adequacy of reserve balances.  All loans whose principal balance is greater than
or equal to $10,000 and which are  delinquent  for 30 days or more for principal
or interest are selected for detailed study.  The appropriate  account  officers
are  notified,  and each  submits  reports of  borrowers'  financial  condition,
adequacy of collateral, and recommended reserves. Senior management then reviews
and determines the necessary adjustment to the allowance for loan loss.
<TABLE>
                                                            1996           1995            1994            1993            1992
                                                        -----------    -----------     -----------     -----------     -----------
<S>                                                     <C>            <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>
Allowance for Loan Losses, January 1 ................   $ 1,242,620    $   726,899     $   649,252     $   524,442     $   452,923

Deduct:
     Loans Charged Off During the Year ..............      (315,889)       (86,409)       (14,684)       (122,860)        (92,595)
     Less Recoveries of Losses Previously Charged-Off         9,705         32,130          72,331         117,670          14,114
                                                        -----------    -----------     -----------     -----------     -----------
     Net Loans Charged-Off ..........................       306,184         54,279         (57,647)          5,190          78,481
                                                        -----------    -----------     -----------     -----------     -----------
Allowance Prior to Additions ........................       936,436        672,620         706,899         519,252         374,442
                                                        -----------    -----------     -----------     -----------     -----------

Additions to Allowance Charged to Operating Expense .       375,000        570,000          20,000         130,000         150,000
                                                        -----------    -----------     -----------     -----------     -----------

Allowance for Loan Losses, December 31 ..............   $ 1,311,436    $ 1,242,620     $   726,899     $   649,252     $   524,442
                                                        ===========    ===========     ===========     ===========     ===========

Ratio of Net Charge-Offs to Average Loans Outstanding           .29%          .06%            (08%)           .01%            .16%
                                                        ===========    ===========     ===========     ===========     ===========
</TABLE>

The schedule below shows the major categories of loan charge-offs and recoveries
for the years 1996, 1995, 1994, 1993 and 1992.
<TABLE>

NET CHARGE-OFFS                                                 1996            1995          1994             1993           1992
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                            <C>            <C>           <C>              <C>            <C>  
Charge-Offs:
     Real estate loans
              Construction .............................       $      0       $      0       $      0        $ 28,400
                                                                                                                            $      0
              Residential ..............................              0              0              0               0              0
              Commercial ...............................              0              0              0               0              0
     Commercial, financial and industrial ..............        309,939         64,348         12,049          23,875         90,043
     Commercial receivables financing ..................              0              0              0               0              0
     Loans to individuals ..............................          5,950         22,061          2,635          70,585          2,552
                                                               --------       --------       --------       ---------       --------
     Total .............................................        315,889         86,409         14,684         122,860         92,595
                                                               --------       --------       --------       ---------       --------
Less Recoveries:
     Real estate loans
              Construction .............................              $             0$       0$28,400        $ 80,000       $      0
              Residential ..............................              0              0              0               0              0
              Commercial ...............................              0              0              0               0          1,753
         Commercial, financial and industrial ..........          8,323         22,545         28,588          27,325         11,300
     Commercial receivables financing ..................              0              0              0               0              0
     Loans to individuals ..............................          1,382          9,585         15,343          10,345          1,061
                                                               --------       --------       --------        --------       --------
     Total .............................................          9,705         32,130         72,331         117,670         14,114
                                                               --------       --------       --------        --------       --------
Net Charge-Offs ........................................       $306,184       $ 54,279       $(57,647)       $  5,190       $ 78,481
                                                               ========       ========       ========        ========       ========
</TABLE>
<PAGE>


B. Allocation of the allowance for loan losses

                                                    1996 REPORTED PERIOD
                                                  -------------------------
                                                              % Of Loans In
Balance at End of                                            Each Category
Period Applicable to:                               Amount   To Total Loans
                                                  ---------- --------------
Real estate loans:
     Construction .............................   $  245,908      18.9%
     Residential ..............................       39,607       9.1%
     Commercial ...............................      511,984      37.8%
Commercial, financial and industrial loans ....      429,624      27.7%
Commercial receivables financing ..............       33,958       2.6%
Loans to individuals ..........................       50,355       3.9%
                                                  ---------------------
Total .........................................   $1,311,436       100%
                                                  =====================
                                              
                                                 1995 REPORTED PERIOD
Real estate loans:
     Construction ............................   $  197,695      15.9%
     Residential .............................      139,220      11.2%
     Commercial ..............................      452,944      36.5%
Commercial, financial and industrial loans ...      325,392      26.2%
Commercial receivables financing .............       31,354       2.5%
Loans to individuals .........................       96,015       7.7%
                                                 ---------------------
Total ........................................   $1,242,620       100%
                                                 =====================

                                                  1994 REPORTED PERIOD
Real estate loans:
     Construction ............................   $  186,278      25.6%
     Residential .............................       65,392       9.0%
     Commercial ..............................      266,647      36.7%
Commercial, financial and industrial loans ...      169,235      23.3%
Commercial receivables financing .............            0       0.0%
Loans to individuals .........................       39,347       5.4%
                                                 ---------------------
Total ........................................   $  726,899       100%
                                                 =====================

                                                  1993 REPORTED PERIOD
Real estate loans:
     Construction ............................   $  121,382      18.7%
     Residential .............................       88,000      13.6%
     Commercial ..............................      242,109      37.3%
Commercial, financial and industrial loans ...      163,994      25.3%
Commercial receivables financing .............            0       0.0%
Loans to individuals .........................       33,767       5.1%
                                                 ---------------------
Total ........................................   $  649,252       100%
                                                 =====================

                                                  1992 REPORTED PERIOD
Real estate loans:
     Construction ............................   $  119,766      22.9%
     Residential .............................       54,797      10.4%
     Commercial ..............................      157,583      30.0%
Commercial, financial and industrial loans ...      166,386      31.8%
Commercial receivables financing .............            0       0.0%
Loans to individuals .........................       25,910       4.9%
                                                 ---------------------
Total ........................................   $  524,442       100%
                                                 =====================
<PAGE>


V.   DEPOSITS

     A.   The table below shows the  average  daily  balance of deposits by type
          for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994.

                                                 1996 Average     Average
(In Thousands)                                     Balance       Rate Paid
                                                 ------------    ---------

Non-Interest Bearing Demand Deposits ...........   $ 92,188             0%
Interest Bearing Demand Deposits ...............     94,637          3.62%
Time Deposits ..................................      9,718          4.29%
Savings Deposits ...............................     15,462          3.43%
                                                   --------
Total ..........................................   $212,005
                                                   ========

                                                 1995 Average      Average
                                                   Balance        Rate Paid
                                                 ------------     ---------

Non-Interest Bearing Demand Deposits ...........   $ 78,531             0%
Interest Bearing Demand Deposits ...............     98,210          3.96%
Time Deposits ..................................     11,618          4.10%
Savings Deposits ...............................     17,709          3.57%
                                                   --------
Total ..........................................   $206,068
                                                   ========

                                                 1994 Average      Average
                                                   Balance        Rate Paid
                                                 ------------     ---------

Non-Interest Bearing Demand Deposits ...........   $ 76,594              0%
Interest Bearing Demand Deposits ...............     83,469           2.52%
Time Deposits ..................................     10,814           3.06%
Savings Deposits ...............................     18,095           2.77%
                                                   --------
Total ..........................................   $188,972
                                                   ========

The Bank's customer base is primarily comprised of small-to-mid-sized businesses
and professionals. The Bank is precluded by regulation from paying interest on a
majority of these business accounts. The Bank does, however, provide services in
the  form of  computer  hardware  and  software,  armored  transport  and  other
ancillary services to certain depositors. During 1996, services of approximately
$218,886  were  provided for customers  with average  balances of  approximately
$91,745,732.  The  value  of the  services  represented  .24% of the  customers'
average deposit balances.  During 1995, services of approximately  $197,553 were
provided for customers with average balances of approximately $83,327,935, which
represented .23% of the customers' average deposit balance.

B.   Not applicable.

C.   Not applicable.

D.   Maturities of time  certificates of deposit of $100,000 or more at December
     31, 1996.

     Maturity                                                1996
     ---------------------------------------------------------------
     3 Months or Less                                     $5,602,465
     3 to 6 Months                                         1,035,681
     6 to 12 Months                                          708,539
     Over 12 Months                                          471,289
                                        Total             $7,817,974


E.   Not applicable.
<PAGE>



VI.  RETURN ON EQUITY AND ASSETS

     The table below shows  various  key ratios  including  return on equity and
     return on assets.

                                                          1996     1995    1994
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Return on Assets
(Net Income Divided by Average Total Assets) .........    1.73%    1.60%   1.48%

Return on Equity
(Net Income Divided by Average Equity) ...............   16.33%   16.88%  16.21%

Cash Dividend Payout Ratio ...........................       0%       0%      0%

Equity to Assets Ratio
(Average Equity Divided by Average Total Assets) .....   10.61%    9.50%   9.12%

VII. SHORT-TERM BORROWINGS

     At December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994, short-term borrowings were in the form
     of repurchase agreements with a one-day maturity.

                                Weighted-average     Average   Weighted-average
                  Balance        interest rate       balance     interest rate
                  Dec. 31.          Dec. 31.         for year      for year
                  --------------------------------------------------------------

     1996         $36,440,370        4.01%         $37,626,801       3.76%
     1995         $36,748,550        4.16%         $24,217,033       4.20%
     1994         $13,779,992        3.30%         $13,784,883       2.79%

     The  maximum  amount  of total  outstanding  repurchase  agreements  at any
     month-end  during the years ended  December 31,  1996,  1995 and 1994 is as
     follows:

                        Month                   Amount
                       --------              -----------

     1996              November              $45,488,185
     1995              December              $36,748,550
     1994              August .              $19,110,866

                                                                          

ITEM 7 - MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
         OF OPERATIONS

The following  discussion and analysis  should be read in  conjunction  with the
consolidated   financial   statements  of  American   Bancorp  of  Nevada.   The
consolidated  financial  statements  include  American  Bancorp  of Nevada  (the
"Company"), and the accounts of its wholly-owned subsidiaries,  American Bank of
Commerce (the "Bank"), AmBank Financial, Inc., and AmBank Mortgage Company.

Liquidity and Asset/Liability Management

Adequate  liquidity  and  maintenance  of an  appropriate  balance  between rate
sensitive  earning  assets  and  liabilities  are  the  principal  functions  of
asset/liability  management  of a  banking  organization.  Liquidity  management
involves the ability to meet the cash flow  requirements  of  customers  who are
depositors  desiring to withdraw  funds and borrowers  requiring  assurance that
sufficient  funds will be available to meet their credit needs.  The measures of
solid  liquidity  practices  such as Total Deposits to Total Assets and Loans to
Deposits are  constantly  monitored for any adverse  trends.  Historically,  the
Bank's loan to deposit ratio has been low when  compared to industry  norms and,
conversely,  its liquidity  ratio has been high.  At December 31, 1996,  the net
loan to deposit  ratio was  approximately  50%.  The Bank's  primary  sources of
liquidity are total cash and due from banks,  other interest  bearing  accounts,
federal funds sold, and its available-for-sale  securities. The liquidity ratio,
which is comprised of total cash and cash  equivalents and unpledged  securities
as a percent of total demand deposits, stood at approximately 45.75% at December
31, 1996 and 57.93% at December 31, 1995.
<PAGE>



Management  seeks to avoid  fluctuating  net  interest  margins  and to  enhance
consistent  growth of net interest  income during  periods of changing  interest
rates. Effective asset/liability management enabled the Bank to maintain desired
levels of liquidity and capital while protecting  against the possible  negative
impact of interest rate volatility.  The Bank avoids the use of highly sensitive
short-term funds such as brokered  deposits and believes its deposits  represent
funding  sources  with safety in respect to both  liquidity  and  earnings,  and
permits the  maintenance  of an  appropriate  relationship  between the cost and
maturity of liabilities and the yield and maturity of assets. Net cash flow from
operations continues to remain positive primarily due to favorable interest rate
yields and growth in the loan portfolio.  As loan growth continues,  the loan to
deposit  ratio  may rise but  there is  substantial  room to  increase  the loan
portfolio  without  impeding  the  liquidity  ratio.  The  increase  in deposits
provided the major funding from financing  activities.  It is  anticipated  that
deposits  will  continue  to  steadily  increase  as the Bank  opens  additional
branches and the local economy continues its growth.

Capital Resources

Capital  increases  will  continue to be provided by earnings.  Capital  growth,
exclusive of net unrealized gains/losses on available-for-sale  securities,  for
the year ended  December  31,  1996 was 18.91%  compared  to 20.28% for the same
period of 1995.  While there are no definite  plans to issue  additional  common
stock,  shareholders approved a 15% stock dividend during 1996, a four-for-three
stock split  during 1995 and a 15% stock  dividend  during 1994.  Neither  stock
dividends  nor  stock  splits  have an effect  on total  capital.  Stockholders'
equity,   exclusive  of  net  unrealized   gains/losses  on   available-for-sale
securities,  of the Company as a percentage of total assets at December 31, 1996
stood at 9.95%.  At December  31, 1995 the ratio was 9.62%.  Risk-based  capital
guidelines  require  banks to maintain an  underlying  capital  base of 8.00% of
"risk-weighted"  assets.  At  December  31,  1996,  the Bank was well  above the
minimum requirement with a capital base of 15.67% (Tier 1).

During the third  quarter  of 1996,  the  Company  completed  construction  on a
two-story  16,000 square foot office complex  located  adjacent to its corporate
headquarters  site which now  houses  its  Financial  Services  department.  The
building also offers additional leasing  opportunities with approximately 13,000
rentable  square feet of class "A" office  space.  As of December 31, 1996,  the
Company had finalized  lease  agreements with tenants for  approximately  10,600
square  feet.  Negotiations  to  rent  the  remainder  are  ongoing.  Management
anticipates  having the building  fully  occupied by the second quarter of 1997.
Plans are underway for a third building at the Company's corporate  headquarters
site. The building will be designed to accommodate the Check Processing and Data
Processing  departments  as well as drive-up  windows.  The Bank's newest branch
facility  located in the industrial  area of North Las Vegas was officially open
as of August 7, 1996 and is now serving customers located within that area. This
newest  branch  consists of  approximately  5,000  square feet with two drive up
windows.  The Bank now has a total of five  branches  throughout  the Las  Vegas
area.  Construction  of both facilities was funded by cash flows from operations
and had no significant impact on capital.  During the fourth quarter of 1996 the
Company purchased  approximately 2.22 acres of raw land in the southwest area of
Las Vegas and anticipates  opening another branch office during 1997. This would
make a total of six branches in the Las Vegas Valley area.  Construction  of the
new  processing  center  and  branch  will be funded  through  cash  flows  from
operations. The impact on capital is not expected to be significant.

On November 15, 1995, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") released
a  Special  Report  entitled  "A Guide to  Implementation  of  Statement  115 on
Accounting for Certain  Investments in Debt and Equity  Securities." This report
provided  for  a  one-time   opportunity   to  reclassify   securities   between
held-to-maturity ("HTM") and available-for-sale ("AFS") that would not call into
question an institution's future intent to hold other securities to maturity.

This one-time  transfer was  authorized to take place between  November 15, 1995
and December 31,  1995.  On November 27, 1995,  the Bank elected to transfer all
securities classified as HTM to the AFS category.  This transfer does not in any
way indicate that future purchases may not be placed in the HTM category.  As of
December 31, 1996, the capital accounts were increased by $16,000,  representing
the after tax effect of the AFS  portfolio's  increase  in fair value  above its
cost.

Asset Growth

The Company  experienced  an increase in total assets during 1996 of $41,163,495
or 14.88% and in 1995 of $49,271,378 or 21.67%. Stronger loan demand resulted in
a $32,251,290 or 34.13% increase in loans in 1996.  Accompanying the increase in
loans was an increase of $1,286,624 or 1.07% in  available-for-sale  securities.
Bank premises and equipment increased $2,335,950 or 22.23% during the year ended
1996 which is the direct  result of the new office  complex and branch  facility
previously  discussed under Capital Resources.  The increase in total assets was
primarily  funded by increases in the deposit base of the Bank of $37,072,114 or
17.53%.  It is  anticipated  that total assets will continue to increase  during
1997, as the Southern  Nevada  economy  remains strong and the Bank continues it
aggressive business development efforts and branch expansion activities.
<PAGE>



Interest Income

Total  interest  income for 1996 totaled  $20,272,630 as compared to $19,408,247
for 1995.  This  increase of $864,383 or 4.45%  followed the 1995  increase over
1994 of $4,991,951 or
34.63%.

The increase in interest  income reflects the changes in the yield and volume of
earning  assets when  comparing  one year to  another.  Average  earning  assets
increased by approximately  $17,704,967 to $238,899,739  while the average yield
for those assets  decreased to 8.49% from 8.77% in 1995.  Average earning assets
in 1995 were $30,260,570 above 1994's level of $190,934,202.  The 1994 yield was
7.55%. Management anticipates continued growth in earning assets. The individual
components  comprising  total  interest  income are  interest and fees on loans,
interest on investment securities and interest on federal funds sold. The yields
and related volumes of these components changed individually as follows:

Interest and Fees on Loans:  Income  generated by the Company's  loan  portfolio
increased  $1,027,764  or 8.89%  for the year  ended  December  31,  1996.  This
increase  is  the  result  of  an  increase  in  the  average   loan  volume  of
approximately  $16,557,715 or 18.47% which was offset by a decrease in the yield
to 11.85% in 1996 from 12.90% in 1995.  During the year ended December 31, 1995,
interest  and fees on loans  increased  $3,256,671  or 39.2%.  This  increase is
attributable  to an  increase  in the average  volume of  $20,578,519  or 29.79%
coupled with an increase in the yield of .88%.

Interest on  Securities:  Total income from the securities  portfolio  decreased
$159,884 or 2.15% for the year ended  December 31, 1996 following an increase of
$1,536,279 or 25.97% during 1995. The nominal decrease in investment  income for
the current year is the result of an increase in the average  volume of $541,690
or .43%  offset by a decrease  in the yield to 5.82% in 1996 from 5.97% in 1995.
The tax  equivalent  yield  decreased  to 6.14% in 1996 from 6.34% in 1995.  The
decline in the 1996 yield is  attributable  to an overall  decrease  in interest
rates.  The average volume of investment  securities  increased by 6.69% for the
year ended December 31, 1995.  Management  attempts to maximize the benefit from
tax-free  municipal bonds and will continue to do so. It is anticipated that any
purchases of investment  securities in 1997 will have short-term maturities with
higher yields than those currently maturing.

Interest on Federal Funds Sold:  Total  interest on federal funds sold decreased
$3,497 or .89% in 1996  following  a $199,001 or 103.48%  increase in 1995.  The
average  volume  increased  $605,562 or 8.99% during the year ended December 31,
1996 which was  offset by a  decrease  in the yield to 5.29% from 5.81% in 1995.
The increase for the year ended December 31, 1995 was a result of an increase in
the average volume of $1,858,917 or 38.13% coupled with an increase in the yield
of 1.87%.

Interest Expense

The major  components of interest  expense are interest on deposits and interest
on securities  sold under  agreements to  repurchase.  The average cost of funds
decreased  to 3.68% in 1996 from 3.96% in 1995.  The  average  cost of funds was
2.63%  in 1994.  The  cost of funds  and  related  volumes  of these  individual
components were as follows:

Interest on Deposits: Total interest on deposits decreased $621,364 or 12.43% in
1996. In 1995 interest on deposits  increased  $2,058,261 or 70.02%. The average
volume for interest bearing deposits  decreased  $7,718,845 or 6.05% during 1996
following an increase of  $15,158,271  in 1995.  The average  rate  decreased to
3.65% in 1996. The average rate was 3.92% in 1995 and 2.62 % in 1994.

Interest  on  Securities  Sold Under  Agreements  to  Repurchase:  A  repurchase
agreement  is an agreement  between the Bank and  customer  where the Bank sells
U.S.  government  securities  to the customer.  On the agreed date,  usually the
following  day,  the Bank  repurchases  the  securities  at the same  price plus
interest  at a  predetermined  rate.  Interest  expense  paid for the year ended
December  31,  1996  increased  $398,270  or 39.13%.  In 1995  interest  expense
increased  $633,351 or 164.74%.  The average volume for this category  increased
$13,409,768  or 55.37% to  $37,626,801  in 1996 from  $24,217,033  in 1995.  The
average volume was $13,784,883 in 1994. Average rates decreased to 3.76% in 1996
from 4.20% in 1995.  Rates for 1994 averaged  2.79%.  Interest on these accounts
are individually  negotiated at a rate based on the Bank's average federal funds
rate for the month. Average federal funds rates for 1996 were approximately .53%
lower than in 1995, while the 1995 rates were approximately 1.41% higher than in
1994.
<PAGE>



Interest Rate Risk

Management  attempts to protect  earnings from wide shifts in interest  rates by
employing the following strategies:

Loans:  Approximately  95%  of  the  Bank's  loan  portfolio  is  written  on an
adjustable  basis that  floats with the Bank's  base rate.  Thus,  approximately
$120,401,000 reprices immediately upon a change in the base rate.

Securities:  Total securities represent  approximately 38.34% of total assets at
December 31, 1996. In administering the securities portfolio, management adheres
to the Company's "Investment Portfolio Policy and Guidelines",  "Asset/Liability
Policy" and  "Interest  Rate Risk  Policy".  These  internal  policy  guidelines
dictate  the average  life of at least 70% of the  securities  portfolio  mature
within three  years.  The actual  average life of the  portfolio at December 31,
1996 was approximately 1.92 years. This strategy of maintaining short maturities
provides   maximum   flexibility  in  managing   fluctuating   interest   rates.
Additionally,  the  majority  of the  securities  portfolio  is of a fixed  rate
nature.  This  enables  management  to  provide an  underlying  level of income,
irrespective  of changes in  interest  rates.  Diversification  for all areas of
investments  is a key element in interest  rate risk.  Management  monitors  the
securities  portfolio to ensure that an  appropriate  balance is  maintained  in
terms of both maturity and type of security  instrument.  Monitoring is aided by
the use of a computer program,  specializing in  Asset/Liability  Management and
Interest Rate Risk.

Deposits:  Management  discourages  use of long-term  Certificates of Deposit by
consistently  paying at or below  market  rates and not  offering  greater  than
one-year  maturities,  with the exception of 18 month IRAs and SEPs. At December
31, 1996,  approximately  61% of time deposits had a maturity of three months or
less. Due to the large concentration of business accounts,  approximately 44% of
all deposits at December 31, 1996 are non-interest bearing.

The above factors provide  management the opportunity to maintain  favorable net
interest margins under most normal interest rate scenarios.

Allowance for Loan Losses

The purpose of the allowance for loan losses is to maintain  reserves at a level
sufficient  to cover  estimated  future loan losses.  Management  exercises  its
judgment in establishing  loan loss reserves for existing loans which may become
uncollectible  in the  future.  The Bank's  current  allowance  for loan  losses
reflects  an ongoing  evaluation  of the known risks in the loan  portfolio  and
current economic conditions.  The allowance for loan losses was $68,816 or 5.54%
more at December 31, 1996 than at December 31, 1995.  Expenses for the provision
of loan  losses were  $375,000  in 1996 as  compared  to  $570,000  in 1995.  At
December 31, 1995 the allowance for loan losses was $515,721 or 70.95% more than
at December 31, 1994.

Net  charged  off loans in 1996 were  $306,184  compared  to $54,279 in 1995 and
($57,647)  in  1994.  Net loan  losses  increased  $251,905  or 464% in 1996 and
increased  $111,926 or 194% in 1995. Net loans at year end were  $125,426,641 in
1996 and $93,244,167 in 1995. The allowance for loan losses at year end 1996 was
1.03% and in 1995 was 1.32% of loans  outstanding.  The allocated portion of the
allowance  consists  of 5  categories:  substandard,  doubtful,  loss,  accounts
receivable factoring, and pass credits. Additionally,  special consideration was
given to adequately  allocate  allowances for the Bank's  track-home  borrowers.
Management  believes  construction  loans for partially pre-sold track homes may
have the  potential to be less risk  tolerant  than other types of  construction
loans.  Ongoing  evaluation  of the loan  portfolio  and new loan  products  are
determining  factors in maintaining the allocated allowance for loan losses. The
allocated allowance at December 31, 1996 was $859,487 as compared to $592,000 at
December 31, 1995. This increase is primarily the result of two loans classified
as doubtful.

At December 31, 1996, the Company has two loans totaling  approximately $700,000
classified as impaired in accordance  with FASB  Statement No. 114 as amended by
FASB Statement No. 118. Approximately $24,000 of interest income would have been
recorded  for the year ended  December  31,  1996 had the loans been  current in
accordance  with their original  terms. No loans were accounted for as "troubled
debt  restructurings  as defined in SFAS No. 15. Loans are placed on non-accrual
status when they go over 90 days delinquent, or when circumstances indicate that
timely collection of interest is doubtful.  Loans over 90 days delinquent may be
left on accrual  status if a repayment  plan has been  negotiated and it appears
likely that all interest will be paid. At December 31, 1996,  there are no other
loans outstanding  which causes  management  serious doubts as to the ability of
the borrower to comply with the loan repayment terms.

The Company had  approximately  $195,000  classified  as other real estate owned
("REO"),  which is included in Other Assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheet at
December 31, 1996. This property  consists of one single family  residence which
was acquired through  foreclosure.  The Company recorded a loss of approximately
$50,000 during 1996 to reduce the recorded amount to fair value. At December 31,
1996, the Company was in negotiations to sell the property.
<PAGE>


The loan portfolio is  concentrated  in the Southern  Nevada area. Of total loan
commitments,  58%  are in  real  estate  loans,  and  44% of  real  estate  loan
commitments are comprised of residential construction loans.

Management  places greater emphasis on the entry-level and first move-up housing
market.  Additionally,  land loans are conservatively  underwritten.  Management
reviews  concentrations  in the real estate loan portfolio on a quarterly basis.
Management  also  performs  an analysis  of the  allowance  for loan losses on a
quarterly  basis and  appraisal  reviews are  performed to support the values at
which loans are carried in the portfolio.  Risk  percentages are assigned to all
classified loans to ensure that the reserve is adequate and an excess reserve is
provided for any unexpected  problems that may arise within the  portfolio.  The
Federal  Deposit  Insurance  Corporation  (FDIC),  as an integral  part of their
examination process,  periodically reviews the Bank's allowance for loan losses,
and may  require  the Bank to make  additions  to the  allowance  based on their
judgment about information  available to them at the time of their examinations.
Management  feels that the current  allowance  for loan losses of  $1,311,436 is
adequate for the Bank to meet all anticipated loan losses.

Non-Interest Income

Total  non-interest  income  increased  $315,792  or 22.18%  for the year  ended
December  31,  1996 and  increased  $239,941  or 20.27%  during  1995.  The main
component  of the 1996  increase is net realized  gains  recorded on the sale of
investment  securities  of  $307,258  compared  with a recorded  loss of $19,922
during 1995. Additionally,  trust operations revenue increased $84,200 or 26.03%
due to increased  assets  under  management.  Other  accounts  with  significant
fluctuations  include  property rental income which increased  $47,745 or 24.97%
due to the Company's new office complex and Voucher  control fees which declined
by $82,896 or 30.78% due to the reduction in construction  loans made during the
year.

Non-Interest Expense

Non-interest expenses are comprised of three major categories:  salaries,  wages
and  employee  benefits,  occupancy  expenses,  and all  other  expenses.  Total
non-interest  expense  increased by $360,982 or 4.12% in 1996 and by $856,470 or
10.82% in 1995. The three components of this category are analyzed as follows:

Salaries,  Wages and Employee Benefits: Total salary, wages and employee benefit
expense increased $575,453 or 12.65% in 1996 while in 1995 there was an increase
of $557,187 or 13.96% over 1994. The increase in 1996 is primarily the result of
normal salary increases coupled with additional  staffing of the North Las Vegas
branch. Full-time equivalent staff increased to 116 in 1996 from 113 in 1995 and
98 in 1994.  Salary,  wages and employee benefits expenses will increase in 1997
as more employees are added to staff planned branch expansion.

Occupancy Expenses:  Occupancy expenses increased $203,331 or 13.53% as compared
to a decrease of $115,038 or 7.11% in 1995.  The  increase in 1996 is  primarily
the  result  of  additional  depreciation  expense  of  the  Company's  two  new
facilities.  The 1995  decrease is primarily  the result of tenant  improvements
becoming fully depreciated.

Other  Expenses:  Total expenses in this category  decreased  $417,802 or 15.38%
during 1996 compared to an increase of $414,321 or 17.99% in 1995.  The majority
of the 1996  decrease is due to the reduction of FDIC  assessments.  The Banking
Insurance Fund (BIF) became fully funded during 1995 and as such,  expenses were
$366,733  less than in 1995.  Additionally,  expense  related  to the 1995 Stock
Appreciation Rights Plan decreased  $242,000.  These decreases were offset by an
increase in REO expense of approximately $174,000.

Dividend Policy

It has been the policy of the Company to retain all  earnings for the purpose of
supporting  growth rather than pay cash dividends to shareholders.  The Board of
Directors  declared a 15% stock  dividend on March 18,  1996,  a  four-for-three
stock split on March 20, 1995 and a 15% stock dividend on March 21, 1994.

New Accounting Pronouncements

Effective  January  1,  1996,  the  Company  adopted  FASB  Statement  No.  121,
Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived  Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to
be Disposed of.  Statement  No. 121  establishes  accounting  standards  for the
impairment of long-lived assets, certain identifiable intangibles,  and goodwill
related to these  assets to be held and used for  long-lived  assets and certain
identifiable  intangibles to be disposed of. There was no material effect on the
consolidated financial statements relating to this adoption.
<PAGE>



Effective  January  1,  1996,  the  Company  adopted  FASB  Statement  No.  123,
Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation. Statement No. 123 establishes financial
accounting and reporting standards for stock-based employee  compensation plans,
such as stock options and stock purchase plans. The statement generally suggests
but does not require stock-based  compensation  transactions for employees to be
accounted for based on the fair value of the consideration  received or the fair
value of the equity instruments issued,  whichever is more reliably  measurable.
Transactions  occurring  after  December  15, 1995 with  non-employees  shall be
accounted for based on the fair value of the consideration  received or the fair
value of the equity instruments issued,  whichever is more reliably  measurable.
Companies  that  do  not  elect  to  change  their  accounting  for  stock-based
compensation  are required to disclose the effect on net income and earnings per
share as if the  accounting  provisions of Statement  No. 123 were applied.  The
Company has decided not to adopt the accounting provisions of this statement.

The FASB has issued  Statement No. 125 Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of
Financial Assets and  Extinguishment  of Liabilities (as amended by FASB No. 127
which defers  implementation of certain provisions of FASB No. 125 to January 1,
1998),  which becomes  effective for  transactions  occurring after December 31,
1996. The Statement  distinguishes  transfers of financial assets that are sales
from  transfers  that are secured  borrowings.  The Statement  also  establishes
standards on the initial  recognition  and  measurement of servicing  assets and
other  retained  interests  and  servicing  liabilities,  and  their  subsequent
measurement.  Management  does not believe the  application of this Statement to
transactions  of the Company that have been typical in the past will  materially
affect the Company's financial position or results of operations.

Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) Issue No. 96-12 Recognition of Interest Income
and Balance Sheet  Classification of Structured  Notes,  requires the use of the
retrospective  interest method of recognizing  income on certain structured note
securities.  The  application of this  consensus  applies  prospectively  to new
securities  acquired  after November 14, 1996.  Management  does not believe the
application  of this consensus will  materially  affect the Company's  financial
position or results of operations.

<PAGE>

                                                                        

ITEM 8 - FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTAL DATA


<PAGE>

                                                        












                                            AMERICAN BANCORP OF NEVADA


                                           CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL REPORT


                                                 DECEMBER 31, 1996




<PAGE>












                                    CONTENTS

- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT                                          
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

   Consolidated balance sheets                                            

   Consolidated statements of income                                    

   Consolidated statements of stockholders' equity                       

   Consolidated statements of cash flows                                

   Notes to consolidated financial statements                          
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------


















<PAGE>


                                                       




                                           INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT




To the Board of Directors
American Bancorp of Nevada
Las Vegas, Nevada

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of American Bancorp
of Nevada and  subsidiaries  as of December  31, 1996 and 1995,  and the related
consolidated statements of income,  stockholders' equity and cash flows for each
of the three  years in the period  ended  December  31,  1996.  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 audits.

We  conducted  our  audits  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 audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated  financial statements referred to above present
fairly, in all material respects,  the financial position of American Bancorp of
Nevada and  subsidiaries  as of December  31, 1996 and 1995,  and the results of
their  operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period
ended  December 31, 1996,  in  conformity  with  generally  accepted  accounting
principles. 


/s/ McGLADREY & PULLEN, LLP


McGLADREY & PULLEN, LLP

Las Vegas, Nevada
January 17, 1997


<PAGE>


AMERICAN BANCORP OF NEVADA

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
December 31, 1996 and 1995

<TABLE>

ASSETS                                                                          1996             1995
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                        <C>            <C>

   Cash and due from banks (Note 2)                                            36,453,878 $     36,375,727 
   Other interest bearing accounts                                              9,571,362        3,696,771
   Federal funds sold                                                           8,400,000        9,500,000
                                                                          ---------------------------------
      Cash and cash equivalents                                                54,425,240       49,572,498
   Available-for-sale securities  (Notes 3 and 8)                             121,875,695      120,589,071
   Loans receivable (Note 4)                                                  126,738,077       94,486,787
   Less allowance for loan losses (Note 5)                                    (1,311,436)      (1,242,620)
                                                                          ---------------------------------
              Net loans                                                       125,426,641       93,244,167
   Bank premises and equipment, net (Note 6)                                   12,845,741       10,509,791
   Accrued interest receivable                                                  2,008,949        2,051,124
   Deferred taxes, net (Note 9)                                                   465,499          307,500
   Other assets                                                                   806,358          416,477
                                                                          ---------------------------------
              Total assets                                                $   317,854,123 $    276,690,628                
                                                                          ================================

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Deposits:
      Non-interest bearing demand                                         $   108,555,716 $     88,386,803                     
      Interest bearing:
        Checking                                                              112,619,836       94,601,128
        Savings                                                                14,653,627       18,431,473
        Time, $100,000 and over (Note 7)                                        7,817,974        5,354,883
        Other time (Note 7)                                                     4,948,800        4,749,552
                                                                          ---------------------------------
              Total deposits                                                  248,595,953      211,523,839
   Securities sold under agreements to repurchase (Notes 3 and 8)              36,440,370       36,748,550
   Accrued interest and other liabilities                                       1,166,390        1,529,316
                                                                          ---------------------------------
              Total liabilities                                               286,202,713      249,801,705
                                                                          ---------------------------------

Commitments and Contingencies  (Notes 10, 13 and 15) 
Stockholders' Equity (Notes 3, 11, 12 and 13)
   Common stock, $.05 par value, 5,000,000 shares authorized;
      shares issued: (1996) 3,729,057, (1995) 3,229,877; shares
      outstanding: (1996) 3,715,533, (1995)  3,213,803                            186,453          161,494
   Surplus                                                                     28,293,760       20,420,262
   Retained earnings                                                            3,264,478        6,156,314
   Unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities, net of income taxes           16,000          284,000
                                                                          ---------------------------------
                                                                               31,760,691       27,022,070
   Less treasury stock, at cost (1996) 13,524  shares;
      (1995) 16,074 shares                                                      (109,281)        (133,147)
                                                                          ---------------------------------
              Total stockholders' equity                                       31,651,410       26,888,923
                                                                          ---------------------------------
              Total liabilities and stockholders' equity                  $   317,854,123 $    276,690,628                     
                                                                          ================================

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>


AMERICAN BANCORP OF NEVADA

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
Years Ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994
<TABLE>

                                                               1996            1995            1994
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                      <C>            <C>              <C> 
Interest income on:
   Loans receivable                                      $   12,591,750 $     11,563,986 $    8,307,315                     
   Securities:
      Taxable                                                 6,112,979        6,090,622      4,330,032
      Nontaxable                                              1,180,097        1,362,338      1,586,649
                                                         -----------------------------------------------
   Total interest on securities                               7,293,076        7,452,960      5,916,681
   Federal funds sold                                           387,804          391,301        192,300
                                                         -----------------------------------------------
              Total interest income                          20,272,630       19,408,247     14,416,296

Interest expense on:
   Deposits                                                   4,376,256        4,997,620      2,939,359
   Securities sold under
      agreements to repurchase                                1,416,073        1,017,803        384,452
                                                         -----------------------------------------------
              Total interest expense                          5,792,329        6,015,423      3,323,811

              Net interest income                            14,480,301       13,392,824     11,092,485
Provision for loan losses (Note 5)                              375,000          570,000         20,000
                                                         -----------------------------------------------
              Net interest income after provision
                for loan losses                              14,105,301       12,822,824     11,072,485
                                                         -----------------------------------------------
Non-interest income:
   Service charges on deposit accounts                          179,479          162,916        176,576
   Gain (loss) on sale of securities, net (Note 3)              307,258         (19,922)      (246,245)
   Other fees                                                   307,110          307,648        312,276
   Property rental                                              238,926          191,181        275,220
   Trust operations (Note 14)                                   407,691          323,491        263,847
   Voucher control fees                                         186,461          269,357        336,376
   Other                                                        112,790          189,252         65,932
                                                         -----------------------------------------------
              Total non-interest income                       1,739,715        1,423,923      1,183,982
                                                         -----------------------------------------------
Non-interest expense:
   Salaries, wages and employee benefits (Note 15)            5,124,158        4,548,705      3,991,518
   Occupancy (Note 10)                                        1,706,020        1,502,689      1,617,727
   FDIC and state assessments                                     9,293          376,026        419,972
   Customer service                                             218,886          193,828        193,568
   Professional fees                                            400,510          465,193        386,834
   Advertising and public relations                             290,388          268,031        253,461
   Directors' compensation                                      247,439          520,931        225,511
   Other                                                      1,132,944          893,253        823,595
                                                         -----------------------------------------------
              Total non-interest expense                 $    9,129,638 $      8,768,656 $    7,912,186       
                                                         ==============================================
</TABLE>
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
<PAGE>


AMERICAN BANCORP OF NEVADA


CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME  (CONTINUED)
Years Ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994
<TABLE>


                                                             1996             1995             1994
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                   <C>              <C>              <C>  
Income before income taxes                            $      6,715,378 $      5,478,091 $      4,344,281

Provision for income taxes (Note 9)                          1,838,000        1,371,000        1,030,000
                                                      ---------------------------------------------------

              Net income                              $      4,877,378 $      4,107,091 $      3,314,281
                                                      ==================================================

              Net income per common and
                 common equivalent share              $           1.28 $           1.10 $           0.90
                                                      ==================================================

Weighted average common shares outstanding                   3,802,500        3,739,768        3,646,802
                                                      ==================================================
</TABLE>

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
<PAGE>



AMERICAN BANCORP OF NEVADA

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF  STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Years Ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994
<TABLE>
                                                                                                                    
                                                                                               Unrealized 
                                                                                               Gain (Loss)
                                                  Common Stock                                on Securities
                                            ----------------------                             Available
                                            Outstanding                             Retained  for Sale, Net Treasury
                                              Shares        Amount     Surplus      Earnings  Income Taxes    Stock        Total
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                          <C>         <C>        <C>           <C>          <C>          <C>         <C>
Balance, December 31, 1993 ...............   1,958,304   $  98,736  $15,403,387   $2,562,649   $       --   $(135,859)  $17,928,913
Net effect of change in accounting method.          --          --           --           --      374,000          --       374,000
Net income ...............................          --          --           --    3,314,281           --          --     3,314,281
15% stock dividend (Note 11) .............     294,229      14,711    3,810,266   (3,824,977)          --          --            --
Fractional shares issued in cash .........          --          --           --       (1,473)          --          --        (1,473)
Stock options exercised (Note 13) ........     112,950       5,648      696,646           --           --          --       702,294
Tax effect of stock option transactions 
   (Note 13) .............................          --          --      172,400           --           --          --       172,400
Sales of treasury stock ..................         175          --          875           --           --       1,356         2,231
Net change in unrealized gain/ (loss) on 
   available-for-sale securities, net of 
   income taxes (Note 3)..................          --          --           --           --   (2,361,500)         --    (2,361,500)
                                             ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, December 31, 1994 ...............   2,365,658     119,095   20,083,574    2,050,480   (1,987,500)   (134,503)   20,131,146
Net income ...............................          --          --           --    4,107,091           --          --     4,107,091
Four-for-three stock split (Note 11) .....     791,919      39,596      (39,596)          --           --          --            --
Fractional shares issued in cash .........          --          --           --       (1,257)          --          --        (1,257)
Stock options exercised (Note 13) ........      56,051       2,803      237,386           --           --          --       240,189
Tax effect of stock option transactions 
   (Note 13) .............................          --          --      137,979           --           --          --       137,979
Sales of treasury stock ..................         175          --          919           --           --       1,356         2,275
Net change in unrealized gain/(loss) on
   available-for-sale securities, net of 
   income taxes (Note 3) .................          --          --           --           --    2,271,500          --     2,271,500
                                             ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, December 31, 1995 ...............   3,213,803     161,494   20,420,262    6,156,314      284,000    (133,147)   26,888,923
Net income ...............................          --          --           --    4,877,378           --          --     4,877,378
15% stock dividend (Note 11) .............     482,780      24,139    7,742,633   (7,766,772)          --          --            --
Fractional shares issued in cash .........          --          --           --       (2,442)          --          --        (2,442)
Stock options exercised (Note 13) ........      16,400         820       84,055           --           --          --        84,875
Tax effect of stock option transactions 
   (Note 13) .............................          --          --       28,000           --           --          --        28,000
Sales of treasury stock ..................       2,550          --       18,810           --           --      23,866        42,676
Net change in unrealized gain/(loss) on
   available-for-sale securities, net of 
   income taxes (Note 3) .................          --          --           --           --     (268,000)         --      (268,000)
                                             ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, December 31, 1996 ...............   3,715,533    $186,453  $28,293,760   $3,264,478    $  16,000   $(109,281)  $31,651,410
                                             =======================================================================================
</TABLE>
<PAGE>



AMERICAN BANCORP OF NEVADA

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Years Ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994
<TABLE>



                                                                1996            1995            1994
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                      <C>             <C>              <C>
Cash Flows From Operating Activities
   Interest and fees on loans                            $    13,034,191 $    11,192,886 $     8,270,136
   Interest on securities                                      7,470,112       7,144,454       5,490,177
   Interest on federal funds sold                                387,804         391,301         192,300
   Other income                                                1,432,457       1,443,845       1,430,227
   Interest paid on deposits                                  (4,359,410)     (4,969,663)     (2,920,764)
   Interest paid on securities sold under agreements
      to repurchase                                           (1,416,073)     (1,017,803)       (384,452)
   Cash paid to suppliers and employees                       (8,793,933)     (7,464,901)     (6,908,629)
   Income taxes paid                                          (2,184,620)     (1,158,000)       (845,000)
                                                         ------------------------------------------------
      Net cash provided by operating activities                5,570,528       5,562,119       4,323,995
                                                         ------------------------------------------------

Cash Flows From Investing Activities
   Proceeds from maturities and sales of
      available-for-sale securities  (Note 3)                 76,031,045      53,610,450      59,141,624
   Proceeds from maturities of
      held-to-maturity securities                                     --      32,483,201      37,978,620
   Purchase of available-for-sale securities                 (77,531,822)    (62,202,926)    (75,384,827)
   Purchase of held-to-maturity securities                            --     (25,000,000)    (30,790,986)
   Net increase in loans made to customers                   (33,019,364)    (18,272,799)    (10,340,545)
   Purchase of bank premises and equipment                    (3,086,688)     (1,607,926)     (1,030,359)
                                                         ------------------------------------------------
      Net cash used in investing activities                  (37,606,829)    (20,990,000)    (20,426,473)
                                                         ------------------------------------------------

Cash Flows From Financing Activities
   Net increase in deposits                                   37,072,114      18,712,606      19,147,158
   Net increase (decrease) in securities sold under
      agreements to repurchase                                  (308,180)     22,968,558      (4,265,570)
   Proceeds from issuance of common stock                        125,109         241,207         702,775
                                                         ------------------------------------------------
      Net cash provided by financing activities               36,889,043      41,922,371      15,584,363
                                                         ------------------------------------------------

Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents           4,852,742      26,494,490        (518,115)
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Beginning of Year                  49,572,498      23,078,008      23,596,123
                                                         ------------------------------------------------

Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Year                   $    54,425,240 $    49,572,498 $R   23,078,008
                                                         ================================================
</TABLE>
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
<PAGE>


AMERICAN BANCORP OF NEVADA


CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS  (CONTINUED)
Years Ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994
<TABLE>

                                                             1996             1995             1994
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                   <C>              <C>              <C>
Reconciliation of Net Income to Net Cash
   Provided by Operating Activities:
   Net income                                         $      4,877,378 $      4,107,091 $      3,314,281
   Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
      provided by operating activities:
      Depreciation and amortization of bank
        premises and equipment                                 750,738          663,699          708,042
      Amortization of premiums and
        accretion of discounts on securities                   115,412         (256,843)         197,111
      Provision for loan losses                                375,000          570,000           20,000
      (Gain) loss on sale of securities                       (307,258)          19,922          246,245
      (Increase) decrease in other assets                      122,184         (374,185)         (34,040)
      Increase (decrease) in other liabilities                (362,926)         832,435         (127,644)
                                                      ---------------------------------------------------
              Net cash provided by operating
                  activities                          $      5,570,528 $      5,562,119 $      4,323,995
                                                      ---------------------------------------------------

Supplemental Schedule of Non-Cash Investing
   and Financing Activities:
   Stock dividends                                    $      7,766,772 $            --  $      3,824,977
   Held-to-maturity securities transferred to
      available-for-sale                              $             -- $     25,344,511 $             --
   Net change in unrealized gain (loss) on
      available-for-sale securities                   $      (268,000) $      2,271,500 $    (2,361,500)
   Four-for-three stock split                         $            --  $         39,596 $            --

</TABLE>
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
<PAGE>

AMERICAN BANCORP OF NEVADA


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 1.  Nature of Business And Significant accounting Policies

Nature of business

American Bancorp of Nevada (the "Company") is a bank holding company providing a
full range of banking services to commercial and consumer customers through five
branches of its subsidiary,  American Bank of Commerce (the "Bank"),  located in
Southern Nevada.

The primary services provided by the Bank include  commercial,  construction and
real estate  financing,  and business  loans to customers who are  predominantly
small and  middle-market  businesses.  The Bank also  grants  consumer  loans to
individuals,  offers a full array of depository  accounts and provides trust and
estate administration services.

The Company's  business is concentrated in Southern Nevada and is subject to the
general economic conditions of this area.

Use of estimates in the preparation of financial statements

The preparation of financial  statements in conformity  with generally  accepted
accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that
affect the  reported  amounts  of assets  and  liabilities  and  disclosures  of
contingent  assets and  liabilities at the date of the financial  statements and
the  reported  amounts of revenues  and expenses  during the  reporting  period.
Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Principles of consolidation

The consolidated  financial  statements include the accounts of American Bancorp
of Nevada and its wholly-owned  subsidiaries,  American Bank of Commerce, AmBank
Mortgage  Company  and  AmBank  Financial,  Inc.  All  significant  intercompany
accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. AmBank Mortgage
Company's  and  AmBank  Financial  Inc.'s  operations  have  been  substantially
curtailed since 1986.

Cash and cash equivalents

For purposes of reporting cash flows, cash and cash equivalents includes cash on
hand,  other interest bearing  accounts,  amounts due from banks (including cash
items in process of  clearing)  and federal  funds  sold.  Cash flows from loans
originated by the Bank and deposits are reported net.

The Bank maintains  amounts due from banks which, at times, may exceed federally
insured limits. The Bank has not experienced any losses in such accounts.

Available-for-sale securities

Securities  classified as  available-for-sale  include all equity securities and
those debt securities that the Company intends to hold for an indefinite  period
of time  but not  necessarily  to  maturity.  Any  decision  to sell a  security
classified as  available-for-sale  would be based on various factors,  including
significant  movements  in interest  rates,  changes in the  maturity mix of the
Company's  assets  and  liabilities,   liquidity   needs,   regulatory   capital
considerations  and other similar  factors.  Securities  available-for-sale  are
carried at fair value.  Unrealized  gains or losses are reported as increases or
decreases  in  stockholders'  equity,  net of the related  deferred  tax effect.
Realized  gains or  losses,  determined  on the  basis  of the cost of  specific
securities sold, are included in earnings.

Loans receivable

Loans  receivable  are  stated at the  amount of unpaid  principal,  reduced  by
unearned fees and allowance for loan losses.
<PAGE>



The allowance for loan losses is established through a provision for loan losses
charged to expense. Loans are charged against the allowance for loan losses when
management  believes  that  collectibility  of the  principal is  unlikely.  The
allowance  is an amount  that  management  believes  will be  adequate to absorb
estimated  losses on  existing  loans  that may become  uncollectible,  based on
evaluation of the collectibility of loans and prior credit loss experience. This
evaluation also takes into  consideration  such factors as changes in the nature
and volume of the loan portfolio,  overall portfolio quality, review of specific
problem credits and current  economic  conditions that may affect the borrower's
ability to pay. While management uses the best information available to make its
evaluation,  future  adjustments  to the allowance may be necessary if there are
significant  changes in economic or other conditions.  In addition,  the Federal
Deposit Insurance  Corporation  (FDIC), as an integral part of their examination
process,  periodically  reviews the Bank's  allowance  for loan losses,  and may
require the Bank to make  additions  to the  allowance  based on their  judgment
about information available to them at the time of their examinations.

Impaired loans are measured  based on the present value of expected  future cash
flows  discounted  at the  loan's  effective  interest  rate or, as a  practical
expedient,  at the  loan's  observable  market  price or the  fair  value of the
collateral  if the loan is collateral  dependent.  A loan is impaired when it is
probable the Company  will be unable to collect all  contractual  principal  and
interest payments due in accordance with the terms of the loan agreement.

Interest and fees on loans

Interest on loans is  recognized  over the terms of the loans and is  calculated
under the effective  interest method.  The accrual of interest on impaired loans
is  discontinued  when, in management's  opinion,  the borrower may be unable to
meet  payments as they become due. When interest  accrual is  discontinued,  all
unpaid accrued interest is reversed.  Interest income is subsequently recognized
only to the extent cash payments are received.

Loan origination and commitment fees and certain direct loan  origination  costs
are deferred and the net amount amortized as an adjustment of the related loan's
yield.  The Company is generally  amortizing  these amounts over the contractual
life.  Commitment  fees based upon a  percentage  of a customer  unused  line of
credit and fees  related to standby  letters of credit are  recognized  over the
commitment period.

Bank premises and equipment

Premises and  equipment  are stated at cost less  accumulated  depreciation  and
amortization.  Depreciation is computed  principally by the straight-line method
over the following estimated useful lives:

                                                     Years
                                                     -----

               Buildings                               30
               Equipment and furnishings             3 - 7

Improvements to leased property are amortized over the lesser of the term of the
lease or life of the improvements.

Earnings per common and common equivalent share

Earnings per common and common  equivalent  share are determined on the basis of
the  weighted-average  number of common  shares  and  common  equivalent  shares
outstanding.  The weighted average number of common and common equivalent shares
outstanding and earnings per share have been adjusted for all periods  presented
to reflect the stock  dividends  and stock split  discussed  in Note 11.  Common
stock equivalents represent the dilutive effect of outstanding stock options.

Income taxes

Deferred taxes are provided on a liability  method  whereby  deferred tax assets
are recognized for deductible temporary differences and deferred tax liabilities
are recognized for taxable temporary differences.  Temporary differences are the
differences between the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and their tax
bases.  Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation  allowance  when,  in the
opinion of management, it is more likely thannot that some portion or all of the
deferred  tax assets will not be realized.  Deferred tax assets and  liabilities
are  adjusted  for the  effect of  changes  in tax laws and rates on the date of
enactment.

The Company and its  subsidiaries  file a  consolidated  income tax return.  The
provision  for  taxes  on  income  is  based  upon  earnings   reported  in  the
consolidated financial statements.
<PAGE>



Reclassification of other interest bearing accounts

During the year ended  December 31, 1996,  management  began  classifying  other
interest  bearing  accounts  as cash  and  cash  equivalents  compared  to their
previous classification as securities available-for-sale.  The December 31, 1995
balance  sheet and the December 31, 1995 and 1994  statements of cash flows were
reclassified to be consistent with the  classifications  adopted during the year
ended December 31, 1996.

Fair value of financial instruments

Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Statement No. 107, Disclosures About
Fair  Value  of  Financial  Instruments,   requires  disclosure  of  fair  value
information  about  financial  instruments,  whether  or not  recognized  in the
balance sheet, for which it is practicable to estimate that value.

Management  uses its best judgment in estimating the fair value of the Company's
financial instruments;  however, there are inherent weaknesses in any estimation
technique.  Therefore,  for  substantially all financial  instruments,  the fair
value estimates  presented herein are not necessarily  indicative of the amounts
the Company could have realized in a sales  transaction  at either  December 31,
1996 or 1995.  The estimated  fair value amounts for 1996 and 1995 were measured
as of their  respective  year ends,  and were not  reevaluated  or  updated  for
purposes  of  these  consolidated   financial  statements  subsequent  to  those
respective  dates.  As such,  the  estimated  fair  values  of  these  financial
instruments  subsequent to the respective  reporting dates may be different than
the amounts reported at each year end.

The  information in Note 16 should not be interpreted as an estimate of the fair
value of the entire Company since a fair value  calculation is only required for
a limited portion of the Company's assets.

Due to the wide range of  valuation  techniques  and the degree of  subjectivity
used in making the estimate,  comparisons between the Company's  disclosures and
those of other companies or banks may not be meaningful.

The following methods and assumptions were used by the Company in estimating the
fair value of its financial instruments:

     Cash and cash equivalents

     The carrying amounts  reported in the consolidated  balance sheets for cash
     and cash equivalents approximate their fair values.

     Available-for-sale securities

     Fair  values  for  securities  are based on quoted  market  prices,  dealer
     quotes, or valuations  obtained from securities pricing services offered by
     various  brokers.  Fair values of securities  with  prepayment risk such as
     collateral  mortgage  obligations  (CMO's) and securities with little or no
     active  trading  market  such as  certain  structured  notes and  municipal
     securities do not necessarily  represent the actual trade price which could
     be obtained on any given day for any particular security.

     Loans receivable

     For  variable  rate  loans  that  reprice   frequently  and  experience  no
     significant  change in  credit  risk,  fair  values  are based on  carrying
     values.  At  December  31,  1996 and 1995,  variable  rate loans  comprised
     approximately  95% and 94% of the loan  portfolio,  respectively.  The fair
     value for all other loans are estimated using discounted cash flow analyses
     and interest rates  currently being offered for loans with similar terms to
     borrowers with similar credit quality.

     Accrued interest receivable

     The  carrying  amounts  reported  in the  consolidated  balance  sheets for
     accrued interest receivable approximate their fair values.

     Deposit liabilities

     Fair values  disclosed for demand  deposits equal their  carrying  amounts,
     which  represent the amounts  payable on demand.  The carrying  amounts for
     variable-rate,  deposit accounts approximate their fair values. Fair values
     for  fixed-rate  certificates  of deposit are estimated  using a discounted
     cash flow  calculation  that applies interest rates currently being offered
     on certificates to a schedule of aggregated  expected monthly maturities on
     these deposits. Early withdrawals of fixed-rate certificate of deposits are
     not expected to be significant.

     Securities sold under agreements to repurchase

     The fair value of securities  sold under  agreements to repurchase,  all of
     which  mature  within  one day,  is the  amount  payable  on  demand at the
     reporting date.
<PAGE>


     Off-balance-sheet instruments

     Fair  values  for  the  Company's  off-balance-sheet  instruments  (lending
     commitments  and  standby  letters  of  credit)  are based on  quoted  fees
     currently charged to enter into similar agreements, taking into account the
     remaining terms of the agreements and the counterparties' credit standing.

Current accounting development

Effective  January  1,  1996,  the  Company  adopted  FASB  Statement  No.  121,
Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived  Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to
be Disposed of.  Statement  No. 121  establishes  accounting  standards  for the
impairment of long-lived assets, certain identifiable intangibles,  and goodwill
related to those  assets to be held and used for  long-lived  assets and certain
identifiable  intangibles to be disposed of. There was no material effect on the
consolidated financial statements relating to this adoption.

Effective  January  1,  1996,  the  Company  adopted  FASB  Statement  No.  123,
Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation. Statement No. 123 establishes financial
accounting and reporting standards for stock-based employee  compensation plans,
such as stock options and stock purchase plans. The Statement generally suggests
but does not require stock-based  compensation  transactions for employees to be
accounted for based on the fair value of the consideration  received or the fair
value of the equity instruments issued,  whichever is more reliably  measurable.
Transactions  occurring  after  December  15, 1995 with  non-employees  shall be
accounted for based on the fair value of the consideration  received or the fair
value of the equity instruments issued,  whichever is more reliably  measurable.
Companies  that  do  not  elect  to  change  their  accounting  for  stock-based
compensation  are required to disclose the effect on net income and earnings per
share as if the  accounting  provision of Statement  No. 123 were  applied.  The
Company has decided not to adopt the accounting provision of this Statement.

The FASB has issued Statement No. 125, Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of
Financial Assets and  Extinguishment  of Liabilities (as amended by FASB No. 127
which defers  implementation of certain provisions of FASB No. 125 to January 1,
1998),  which becomes  effective for  transactions  occurring after December 31,
1996.  The Statement does not permit  earlier or  retroactive  application.  The
Statement  distinguishes  transfers  of  financial  assets  that are sales  from
transfers that are secured  borrowings.  A transfer of financial assets in which
the transferor  surrenders  control over those assets is accounted for as a sale
to  the  extent  that  consideration  other  than  beneficial  interests  in the
transferred  assets is received in  exchange.  The  Statement  also  establishes
standards on the initial  recognition  and  measurement of servicing  assets and
other  retained  interests  and  servicing  liabilities,  and  their  subsequent
measurement.

The  Statement  requires that debtors  reclassify  financial  assets  pledged as
collateral and that secured parties  recognize those assets and their obligation
to return them in certain  circumstances  in which the  secured  party has taken
control of those assets. In addition, the Statement requires that a liability be
derecognized only if the debtor is relieved of its obligation through payment to
the creditor or by being legally  released from being the primary  obligor under
the liability either judicially or by the creditor.

Management  does not believe the application of the Statement to transactions of
the  Company  that have been  typical  in the past will  materially  affect  the
Company's financial position or results of operations.

Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) Issue No. 96-12 Recognition of Interest Income
and Balance Sheet  Classification of Structured  Notes,  requires the use of the
retrospective  interest method of recognizing  income on certain structured note
securities.  The  application of this  consensus  applies  prospectively  to new
securities  acquired  after November 14, 1996.  Management  does not believe the
application  of this consensus will  materially  affect the Company's  financial
position or results of operations.
<PAGE>



Note 2.  Restrictions on Cash and Due From Banks

The Company is required to maintain  reserve balances in cash or on deposit with
the Federal Reserve Bank. The total of those reserve balances was  approximately
$5,960,000 at December 31, 1996.


Note 3.  Securities

Carrying amounts and fair values of available-for-sale securities as of December
31, 1996 and 1995 are summarized as follows:
<TABLE>
                                                                          1996
                                               ---------------------------------------------------------
                                                                  Gross          Gross
                                                Amortized       Unrealized     Unrealized        Fair
                                                   Cost           Gains         (Losses)         Value
                                               ---------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                            <C>          <C>                <C>          <C> 

Equity securities .........................    $ 3,000,000  $          --      $      --    $  3,000,000
Structured notes ..........................      8,475,199          2,217       (197,467)      8,279,949
Obligations of U.S. Treasury
  and U.S. government agencies ............     59,343,008        261,627       (102,415)     59,502,220
Obligations of states and
  political subdivisions ..................     22,340,071        207,403        (41,404)     22,506,070
Collateralized mortgage obligations .......     28,192,417         40,459       (146,820)     28,086,056
Other securities ..........................        500,000          1,400             --         501,400
                                             -----------------------------------------------------------
                                             $121,850,695   $     513,106      $(488,106)   $121,875,695
                                             ===========================================================

                                                                          1995
                                             -----------------------------------------------------------

Equity securities .........................  $   5,479,711  $          --      $      --    $  5,479,711
Structured notes ..........................     14,939,417          4,673       (305,190)     14,638,900
Obligations of U. S. Treasury
  and U.S. government agencies ............     54,458,579        570,312        (80,389)     54,948,502
Obligations of states and
  political subdivisions ..................     25,789,251        177,369        (57,362)     25,909,258
Collateralized mortgage obligations .......     18,762,190        142,060        (22,467)     18,881,783
Other securities ..........................        728,923          1,994             --         730,917
                                             -----------------------------------------------------------
                                             $120,158,071   $     896,408      $(465,408)   $120,589,071
                                             ===========================================================
</TABLE>
The  amortized  cost and fair value of  securities  as of December 31, 1996,  by
contractual maturities,  are shown below. Maturities may differ from contractual
maturities in CMO's  because the  mortgages  underlying  the  securities  may be
called or repaid without any penalties.  Therefore, these securities, and equity
securities,  which have no  maturity,  are  listed  separately  in the  maturity
summary.  In addition,  securities  with amortized cost of $23,073,242  and fair
value of $23,018,606 at December 31, 1996 contain certain call provisions. Given
certain interest rate environments some or all of these securities may be called
by their issuers prior to the scheduled maturities.

                                                       Amortized       Fair
                                                         Cost          Value
                                                    ---------------------------

Due in one year or less ...............             $ 41,685,347   $ 41,461,510
Due after one year through 5 years ....               46,189,787     46,436,271
Due after 5 years through 10 years ....                2,783,144      2,891,858
Collateralized mortgage obligations ...               28,192,417     28,086,056
Equity securities .....................                3,000,000      3,000,000
                                                    ----------------------------
                                                    $121,850,695   $121,875,695
                                                    ============================

Proceeds  from sales of  available-for-sale  securities  and the gross gains and
losses  realized on those sales during the years ended  December 31, 1996,  1995
and 1994 are as follows:

                                       1996          1995           1994
                                   ----------------------------------------

Proceeds from sales ........       $19,747,907   $16,767,148    $37,167,658
                                   ========================================

Gross realized gains .......       $   335,700   $    47,561    $   215,120
Gross realized losses ......           (28,442)      (67,483)      (461,365)
                                   ----------------------------------------
                                   $   307,258   $   (19,922)   $  (246,245)
                                   ========================================
<PAGE>



Securities  with amortized cost of $75,210,764  and  $63,396,639 at December 31,
1996 and 1995, respectively,  were pledged to secure public deposits, securities
sold under agreements to repurchase and for other purposes required or permitted
by law.

On  November  27,  1995,  the  Company  reassessed  the  appropriateness  of the
classification  of  all  securities  in  accordance  with  the  issuance  of the
Financial  Accounting Standards Board's Guide to Implementation of Statement 115
on  Accounting  for  Certain  Investments  in Debt and Equity  Securities.  As a
result, the Company transferred  $25,344,511 of securities previously classified
as  held-to-maturity  into  available-for-sale  securities.  The Company did not
recognize an unrealized holding gain or loss as a result of the transfer.

Note 4.  Loans Receivable

The composition of the Company's loan portfolio at December 31 is as follows:

                                                        1996             1995
                                                    ---------------------------

Real estate loans:
   Construction ..........................          $ 24,105,582    $15,113,573
   Residential ...........................            11,594,713     10,643,190
   Commercial ............................            48,274,044     34,627,184
                                                    ---------------------------
                                                      83,974,339     60,383,947
Commercial, financial and industrial loans            35,428,680     24,875,838
Commercial receivables financing .........             3,329,322      2,396,952
Loans to individuals .....................             4,977,794      7,340,220
                                                    ---------------------------
                                                     127,710,135     94,996,957
Less unearned net loan fees ..............              (972,058)      (510,170)
                                                    ---------------------------
                                                    $126,738,077    $94,486,787
                                                    ===========================

The loans are expected to be repaid from cash flows or proceeds from the sale of
selected assets of the borrowers.  The Company's policy for requiring collateral
is to obtain  collateral  whenever it is available or desirable,  depending upon
the degree of risk the Company is willing to take.

The  Company's  real  estate  loans are  secured by office  buildings,  land for
development,  multifamily residential real estate, single family homes and other
property, substantially all of which is in Southern Nevada. Substantially all of
these loans are  secured by first  liens with an initial  loan to value ratio of
generally not more than 70%.

The  Company  has two  impaired  loans with a combined  recorded  investment  of
$700,171 as of December 31, 1996,  which have been recognized in conformity with
FASB  Statement No. 114, as amended by FASB Statement No. 118. The allowance for
loan losses  related to these loans was $350,086 at December 31, 1996.  Interest
income recognized on the impaired loans is not considered material.

Excluding the loans  referred to in the previous  paragraph,  the Company has no
other material loans at December 31, 1996 and 1995 which should be classified as
impaired  loans in  accordance  with FASB  Statement  No. 114 as amended by FASB
Statement No. 118.

Note 5.  Allowance for Loan Losses

         Changes in the allowance for loan losses are as follows:

                                                  Years Ended December 31,
                                            -----------------------------------
                                               1996        1995         1994
                                            -----------------------------------

Balance, beginning ......................   $1,242,620  $  726,899   $  649,252
   Provision charged to operating expense      375,000     570,000       20,000
   Recoveries of amounts charged off ....        9,705      32,130       72,331
   Less amounts charged off .............     (315,889)    (86,409)     (14,684)
                                            -----------------------------------
Balance, ending .........................   $1,311,436  $1,242,620   $  726,899
                                            ===================================
<PAGE>



Note 6.  Bank Premises and Equipment

The major  classes of bank  premises  and  equipment  and the total  accumulated
depreciation and amortization at December 31 are as follows:

                                                              December 31,
                                                       -------------------------
                                                           1996         1995
                                                       -------------------------

Land ...............................................   $ 3,614,072  $ 2,902,594
Building and improvements ..........................     9,908,920    8,214,022
Equipment and furniture ............................     3,326,583    2,848,658
                                                       ------------------------
                                                        16,849,575   13,965,274
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization .....    (4,003,834)  (3,455,483)
                                                       ------------------------
                                                       $12,845,741  $10,509,791
                                                       ========================

Note 7.  Time Deposits

At December 31, 1996, the scheduled maturities of time deposits are as follows:

         1997                                               $     12,353,509
         1998                                                        383,265
         1999                                                         30,000
                                                            ----------------
                                                            $     12,766,774
                                                            ================

Note 8.  Securities Sold Under Agreements to Repurchase

Securities  sold under  agreements  to  repurchase  remain  under the  Company's
control and generally mature within one day of the transaction date. Information
concerning  securities  sold under  agreements  to  repurchase  is summarized as
follows:

                                                      1996             1995
                                                   ---------------------------

Average balance during the year ................   $37,626,801     $24,217,033
Average interest rate during the year ..........         3.76%           4.20%
Maximum month-end balance during the year ......   $45,488,185     $36,748,550

Securities underlying the agreements at year 
   end are as follows:
   Carrying value ..............................   $66,481,741     $53,817,697
   Estimated fair value ........................    66,406,117      53,916,277



Note 9.  Income Tax Matters

The  provision  for federal  income taxes is comprised of the  following for the
years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994:

                                              1996         1995         1994
                                           ------------------------------------

Current expense ........................   $1,858,000   $1,593,600   $  964,000
Deferred taxes .........................      (20,000)    (222,600)      66,000
                                           ------------------------------------
                                           $1,838,000   $1,371,000   $1,030,000
                                           ====================================
<PAGE>



The provision for income taxes differs from the amounts computed by applying the
U. S. federal  income tax rate to pretax income for the years ended December 31,
1996, 1995 and 1994 as follows:

                                              1996         1995         1994
                                           ------------------------------------

Expected provision for income taxes ....   $2,350,300   $1,917,300   $1,520,000
Tax exempt interest ....................     (413,000)    (476,800)    (527,000)
Disallowed interest expense ............       34,800       47,300       34,000
Dividends received deduction ...........      (28,500)     (51,000)     (39,000)
Benefit of income taxed at lower rates .      (67,000)     (41,500)     (28,600)
Other ..................................      (38,600)     (24,300)      70,600
                                           ------------------------------------
                                           $1,838,000   $1,371,000   $1,030,000
                                           ====================================

The temporary  differences  which created deferred tax assets and liabilities at
December 31, 1996 and 1995 are as follows:

                                                        1996           1995
                                                      -----------------------
Deferred tax assets:
   Allowance for loan losses ......................   $362,000      $ 333,100
   Bank premises and equipment ....................     91,000         76,100
   Accrued expenses ...............................     13,000         86,300
   Other ..........................................     42,499         20,200
                                                      -----------------------
Total deferred tax assets .........................   $508,499      $ 515,700
                                                      -----------------------
Deferred tax liabilities:
   Unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities   $ (9,000)     $(147,000)
   Deferred loan fees and expenses ................    (34,000)       (61,200)
                                                      -----------------------
Total deferred tax liabilities ....................    (43,000)      (208,200)
                                                      -----------------------
Net deferred tax assets ...........................   $465,499       $307,500
                                                      =======================

Note 10.  Commitments and Contingencies

Contingencies

In the normal  course of  business,  the Company is  involved  in various  legal
proceedings.  In the opinion of  management,  any liability  resulting from such
proceedings  would  not  have a  material  adverse  effect  on the  consolidated
financial statements.

Financial instruments with off-balance-sheet risk

The Company is party to financial instruments with off-balance-sheet risk in the
normal course of business to meet the financing  needs of its  customers.  These
financial  instruments  include commitments to extend credit and standby letters
of credit. They involve,  to varying degrees,  elements of credit risk in excess
of amounts recognized on the consolidated balance sheets.

The  Company's  exposure  to credit loss in the event of  nonperformance  by the
other parties to the financial  instrument for these  commitments is represented
by the  contractual  amounts of those  instruments.  The  Company  uses the same
credit policies in making commitments and conditional obligations as it does for
on-balance-sheet instruments.

A summary of the contract amount of the Company's exposure to  off-balance-sheet
risk as of December 31, 1996 and 1995 is as follows:

                                                           1996         1995
                                                       ------------------------

Commitments to extend credit .......................   $75,893,769  $44,851,447
Standby letters of credit ..........................     1,993,436    3,391,044
                                                       ------------------------
                                                       $77,887,205  $48,242,491
                                                       ========================
<PAGE>



Commitments  to extend  credit are  agreements  to lend to a customer as long as
there is no violation of any condition established in the contract.  Commitments
generally  have fixed  expiration  dates or other  termination  clauses  and may
require  payment of a fee. Since many of the  commitments are expected to expire
without  being  drawn  upon,  the total  commitment  amounts do not  necessarily
represent  future cash  requirements.  The  Company  evaluates  each  customer's
creditworthiness on a case-by-case basis. The amount of collateral obtained,  if
deemed  necessary  by  the  Company  upon  extension  of  credit,  is  based  on
management's  credit  evaluation of the party.  Collateral held varies,  but may
include accounts receivable, inventory, property and equipment, residential real
estate and income-producing commercial properties.

Standby letters of credit are conditional  commitments  issued by the Company to
guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party.  Those  guarantees are
primarily  issued to support  public and  private  borrowing  arrangements.  The
credit risk  involved in issuing  letters of credit is  essentially  the same as
that involved in extending loan facilities to customers.  Collateral held varies
as specified above and is required as the Company deems necessary.

Lease Commitments

The  Company  leases  certain  premises  under  noncancelable  operating  leases
expiring in various years  through  2006.  The following is a schedule of future
minimum rental payments under these leases:

  1997                $  209,463
  1998                   209,463
  1999                   209,463
  2000                   209,463
  2001                   179,131
  Thereafter             582,460
                      ----------
  Total               $1,599,443
                      ==========

Total rental expense under these leases and month-to-month  leases for the years
ended  December 31, 1996,  1995 and 1994 was  $206,456,  $197,894 and  $253,880,
respectively.

Note 11.    Common Stock

On March 18, 1996,  the Board of  Directors of the Company  declared a 15% stock
dividend on the outstanding shares of common stock of the Company,  effective on
April 9, 1996 to  stockholders of record on April 2, 1996. On March 20, 1995 the
Board of Directors of the Company declared a  four-for-three  stock split on the
outstanding  shares of common stock of the Company,  effective on April 11, 1995
to  stockholders  of record  on April 4,  1995.  On March 21,  1994 the Board of
Directors of the Company declared a 15% stock dividend on the outstanding shares
of common stock of the company  effective on April 12, 1994 to  stockholders  of
record on April 5, 1994.
<PAGE>



Note 12.     Regulatory Capital

The Bank is subject to various regulatory capital  requirements  administered by
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 Bank must meet specific
capital  guidelines  that  involve  qualitative  measures of the Bank's  assets,
liabilities and certain  off-balance-sheet  items as calculated under regulatory
accounting  practices.  The Bank's 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 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 (as defined), and of Tier I capital (as defined) to average
assets (as defined). Management believes, as of December 31, 1996, that the Bank
meets all capital adequacy requirements to which it is subject.

As of December 31, 1996, the most recent  notification  from the Federal Deposit
Insurance  Corporation (FDIC) 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 since that notification that management  believes have changed the Bank's
category.

The Bank's  actual  capital  amounts and ratios are  presented in the  following
table:
<TABLE>
                                                                                                    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>
As of December 31, 1996:
Total Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets) .......   $ 31,327,000   16.4%     $ 15,328,000    8    $19,160,000    10%
Tier I Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets) ......   $ 30,026,000   15.7         7,664,000    4    $11,496,000     6%
Tier I Capital (to Average Assets) ............   $ 30,026,000   10.3        11,715,000    4    $14,643,000     5%

As of December 31, 1995:
Total Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets) .......   $ 26,253,000   17.6%     $ 11,950,000    8    $14,937,000    10%
Tier I Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets) ......   $ 25,021,000   16.8%     $  5,975,000    4    $ 8,962,000     6%
Tier I Capital (to Average Assets) ............   $ 25,021,000    9.8%       10,207,000    4    $12,759,000     5%
</TABLE>

The  Company's  capital  amounts  and ratios are  substantially  the same as the
amounts presented above.

Additionally,  State of Nevada banking regulations restrict  distribution of the
net assets of the Bank  because such  regulations  require the sum of the Bank's
stockholders'  equity  and  allowance  for loan  losses to be at least 6% of the
average of the Bank's total daily deposit liabilities for the preceding 60 days.
As a result of these regulations,  approximately  $14,175,000 and $12,367,500 of
the Bank's  stockholders'  equity was  restricted at December 31, 1996 and 1995,
respectively.
<PAGE>



Note 13.     Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights

The Company has employee  stock-based  compensation  plans,  which are described
below,  in effect at December 31, 1996.  The Company  applies APB Opinion 25 and
related   interpretations   in  accounting  for  its  plans.   Accordingly,   no
compensation   cost  has  been  recognized  for  its  stock  option  plans.  Had
compensation cost for the Company's stock-based compensation plans been recorded
based  on the fair  value at the  grant  dates  for  awards  under  those  plans
consistent  with the method of FASB  Statement 123, the Company's net income and
earnings  per share would have been reduced to the pro forma  amounts  indicated
below:
                                               1996            1995
                                            --------------------------

Net income                As reported       $4,877,378      $4,107,091
                          Pro forma          4,603,119       3,966,078
Earnings per share        As reported             1.28            1.10
                          Pro forma               1.21            1.06

Stock Options

The Company has granted certain directors, officers and key employees options to
purchase shares of the Company's common stock at prices equal to or greater than
the fair market  value at the date of grant.  On April 17, 1995,  the  Company's
shareholders  approved the 1995 Stock Option Plan ("1995  Plan").  The 1995 Plan
authorized  350,000  (which  increased to 402,500  shares as a result of the 15%
stock  dividend  declared  during 1996) shares of common stock to be provided by
shares authorized but unissued.  Options under the 1995 plan become  exercisable
in annual  installments  of 25% of the amount  granted  per  optionee,  one year
following  the date of grant and expire five years after the date of grant.  The
fair value of each  option  grant for pro forma  disclosure  purposes  discussed
above is estimated on the date of grant using the  Black-Scholes  option pricing
model with the following assumptions:

   Risk free interest rate                         6.48% to 6.55%
   Dividend yield                                        0%
   Expected lives                                   4 to 5 years
   Volatility                                         32% to 33%

Additional information concerning this stock option plan follows:

                                                              1996       1995
                                                            -------------------

   Options outstanding, beginning of year ...............   123,250          --
   Granted ..............................................    16,750     123,750
   Adjustment due to stock dividends ....................    18,194          --
   Forfeited ............................................   (13,130)       (500)
   Exercised ............................................    (1,520)         --
                                                            -------------------
   Options outstanding, end of year .....................   143,544     123,250
                                                            ===================

Options exercisable, end of year ........................   $ 31,699   $     --
Available to grant, end of year .........................   $257,436   $226,750
Weighted-average exercise price under option, end of year   $  12.13   $  13.37
Weighted-average exercise price of options, granted at
   fair value, during the year ..........................   $  15.95   $  13.38
Weighted-average fair value of options granted during
   the year .............................................   $   6.25   $   5.30
Weighted-average price of options exercised .............   $  11.52   $     --
Weighted-average price of options forfeited .............   $  11.64   $  13.25

The range of  exercise  prices  at  December  31,  1996 is $11.52 to $17 and the
weighted-average  remaining  contractual  life of the options  outstanding as of
December 31, 1996 is 3.8 years.
<PAGE>



Options granted prior to 1995 become exercisable,  in annual installments of 20%
of the  amount  granted  per  optionee,  upon  the  date of  grant.  Information
concerning these stock options follows:

                                            1996       1995        1994
                                          -------------------------------

Options outstanding, beginning of year    100,332     123,900     239,050
Adjustment due to stock split ........     36,950
Forfeited ............................     (2,751)     (4,467)     (2,200)
Exercised ............................    (14,880)    (56,051)   (112,950)
                                          -------------------------------
Options outstanding, end of year .....     82,701     100,332     123,900
                                          ===============================

Options exercisable, end of year .....     78,733      75,780      86,850
Available to grant, end of year ......     10,418       7,667       1,750
Average exercise price under option,
   end of year .......................    $  5.14     $  5.80    $   5.19

Stock Appreciation Rights

On January 23, 1995,  the Company's  Board of Directors  approved the 1995 Stock
Appreciation Rights Plan ("SAR Plan"). The SAR Plan authorized 350,000 rights to
be granted to certain directors, officers and key employees at the discretion of
the Board of  Directors.  Each right gives the grantee the right to receive cash
payment  from the Company  equal to the excess of (a) the fair market value of a
share of the  Company's  common stock at a date,  as determined by the SAR Plan,
approximating the date such right is exercised over (b) the fair market value of
a share  of the  Company's  common  stock  on the date of  grant.  Grantees  may
exercise  their rights at any time between the time a right vests and five years
following  the date of grant.  Rights  granted under the SAR Plan vest in annual
installments  of 25% beginning one year following the date of grant.  Changes in
the market  price of the  Company's  common  stock are  reflected as a charge to
earnings for each period in which the rights are outstanding.

Information concerning stock appreciation rights is as follows:

                                                               1996      1995
                                                             ------------------

Rights outstanding, beginning of year ....................    129,329        --
Granted ..................................................      8,000   111,000
Adjustment due to stock split ............................       --      18,329
Adjustment due to stock dividend .........................     19,250        --
Forfeited ................................................     (1,000)       --
Exercised ................................................    (13,416)       --
                                                              -----------------
Rights outstanding, end of year ..........................    142,163   129,329
                                                              -----------------

Rights exercisable, end of year ..........................     31,529        --
Available to grant, end of year ..........................    194,421   220,671
Weighted-average exercise price of rights, end of year ...   $  10.36  $  11.48
Weighted-average exercise price of rights, granted at fair
   value, during the year ................................   $  16.44  $  13.38
Weighted-average price of rights exercised ...............   $   9.70  $     --
Weighted-average price of rights forfeited ...............   $  11.74  $     --
<PAGE>



The  price  range  for  rights  at  December  31,  1996 is  $8.64 to $17 and the
weighted-average  remaining  contractual  life of the rights  outstanding  as of
December 31, 1996 is 2.3 years.

Note 14.      Trust Department

Assets with a recorded value of $96,541,105 and  $65,557,444  were held in trust
for others at December  31, 1996 and 1995,  respectively.  These  assets and the
offsetting  liability  amounts are not  recorded on the  consolidated  financial
statements since they are not assets of the Company.

Note 15.       Employee Benefit Plan

The  Company has a  qualified  401(k)  employee  benefit  plan for all  eligible
employees.  Each  participant  is able to defer a maximum of 15% of their annual
compensation subject to Internal Revenue Code maximums.  The Company contributes
an amount equal to 100% of each employee's  contribution up to the first 3%, and
50%  for  contributions  over 3% but no more  than 6% of the  employee's  annual
compensation.  Additionally, the Company may elect to contribute a discretionary
amount  each year,  but no  election  was made during  1996,  1995 or 1994.  The
Company's total  contribution for 1996, 1995 and 1994 was $122,799,  $93,496 and
$110,279, respectively.

Note 16.     Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The carrying amounts and fair values of the Company's  financial  instruments at
December 31 are as follows:
<TABLE>
                                                          1996                             1995
                                               ---------------------------   -----------------------------
                                                 Carrying        Fair            Carrying         Fair
                                                  Amount         Value            Amount          Value
                                               ------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                            <C>            <C>            <C>             <C> 
Financial assets:
   Cash and cash equivalents .............     $ 54,425,240   $ 54,425,240   $  49,572,498   $  49,572,498
   Available-for-sale securities .........      121,875,695    121,875,695     120,589,071     120,589,071
   Loans, net ............................      125,426,641    125,240,496      93,244,167      93,244,167
   Accrued interest receivable ...........        2,008,949      2,008,949       2,051,124       2,051,124

Financial liabilities:
   Deposits ..............................    $(248,595,953) $(248,614,390)  $(211,523,839)  $(211,523,839)
   Securities sold under
      agreements to repurchase ...........      (36,440,370)   (36,440,370)    (36,748,550)    (36,748,550)

Unrecognized financial
      instruments:
   Commitments to extend credit ..........    $         --   $     555,513   $          --   $     370,046
   Standby letters of credit .............              --          20,802              --          34,486
</TABLE>
The Company  assumes  interest  rate risk (the risk that general  interest  rate
levels will change) as a result of its normal operations.  As a result, the fair
values of the  Company's  financial  instruments  will change when interest rate
levels  change and that change may be either  favorable  or  unfavorable  to the
Company.  Management  attempts to match  maturities of assets and liabilities to
the extent believed necessary to minimize interest rate risk. However, borrowers
with  fixed  rate  obligations  are less  likely  to  prepay  in a  rising  rate
environment  and more  likely to prepay in a  falling  rate  environment.  Also,
depositors  who are  receiving  fixed rates are more  likely to  withdraw  funds
before  maturity  in a rising  rate  environment  and less  likely to do so in a
falling rate environment. Management monitors rates and maturities of assets and
liabilities  and attempts to minimize  interest rate risk by adjusting  terms of
new loans and deposits and by investing in  securities  with terms that mitigate
the Company's overall interest rate risk.
<PAGE>



Note 17.     Condensed Financial Information

Condensed financial information of the Company (parent only) is provided below:

American Bancorp of Nevada (parent only)
Condensed Statements of Financial Condition
December 31, 1996 and 1995


Assets                                                    1996          1995
- ------                                               --------------------------

Cash ..............................................  $    713,906  $    889,160
Due from American Bank of Commerce ................       494,917       394,917
Investment in American Bank of Commerce ...........    30,042,107    25,305,331
Investment in other subsidiaries ..................       597,754       586,107
Deferred taxes ....................................       126,002       126,002
                                                      -------------------------

              Total assets ........................   $31,974,686  $ 27,301,517
                                                      =========================

Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity

Liabilities - Accrued and other liabilities .......   $   323,276  $    412,594
                                                      -------------------------

Stockholders' Equity
   Common stock ...................................       186,453       161,494
   Surplus ........................................    28,293,760    20,420,262
   Retained earnings ..............................     3,264,478     6,156,314
   Unrealized gain on available-for-sale 
     securities, net of income taxes ..............        16,000       284,000
                                                      -------------------------
                                                       31,760,691    27,022,070
Less treasury stock, at cost ......................      (109,281)     (133,147)
                                                      -------------------------
Total stockholders' equity ........................    31,651,410    26,888,923
                                                      -------------------------

              Total liabilities and stockholders' 
                    equity ........................   $31,974,686   $27,301,517
                                                      =========================


American Bancorp of Nevada (parent only)
Condensed  Income Statements
Years Ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994

                                             1996         1995          1994
                                         --------------------------------------

Expenses .............................   $  211,044    $  573,935    $  160,497
                                         --------------------------------------

Loss before equity in undistributed 
   earnings of subsidiaries ..........     (211,044)     (573,935)     (160,497)

Equity in undistributed earnings of 
     subsidiaries ....................    5,016,422     4,486,026     3,474,778
                                         --------------------------------------

Income before taxes ..................    4,805,378     3,912,091     3,314,281
Income tax benefit ...................       72,000       195,000            --
                                         --------------------------------------

Net income ...........................   $4,877,378    $4,107,091    $3,314,281
                                         ======================================

<PAGE>



American Bancorp of Nevada (parent only)
Statements of Cash Flows
Years Ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994
<TABLE>

                                                          1996         1995          1994
                                                     ---------------------------------------
<S>                                                  <C>           <C>            <C>

Cash Flows From Operating Activities
Reconciliation of Net Income to Net Cash
   Used In Operating Activities:
   Net income .....................................  $ 4,877,378   $ 4,107,091   $ 3,314,281
   Earnings from subsidiaries .....................   (5,016,422)   (4,486,026)   (3,474,778)
   (Increase) decrease in assets ..................      (72,000)     (195,000)      (15,540)
   Increase (decrease) in other liabilities .......      (89,319)      394,042         4,682
                                                     ---------------------------------------
              Net cash used in operating activities     (300,363)     (179,893)     (171,355)
                                                     ---------------------------------------

Cash Flows From Financing Activities
   Proceeds from sales of treasury stock ..........       42,676         2,275         2,231
   Proceeds from issuance of common stock .........       84,875       240,189       702,294
   Fractional shares issued in cash ...............       (2,442)       (1,257)       (1,473)
                                                     ---------------------------------------
              Net cash provided by
                  financing activities ............      125,109       241,207       703,052
                                                     ---------------------------------------
              Net increase (decrease) in cash .....     (175,254)       61,314       531,697
Cash, Beginning of Year ...........................      889,160       827,846       296,149
                                                     ---------------------------------------
Cash, End of Year .................................  $   713,906   $   889,160   $   827,846
                                                     ---------------------------------------

Supplemental Schedule of Non-Cash Investing
   and Financing Activities:
   Stock dividends issued .........................  $ 7,766,772   $        --   $ 3,824,977
                                                     =======================================
</TABLE>

ITEM 9 -  CHANGES  IN AND  DISAGREEMENTS  WITH  ACCOUNTANTS  ON  ACCOUNTING  AND
          FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

          Inapplicable


PART III

ITEM 10-13

The information called for by Items 10 through 13 of Part III is incorporated by
reference  herein  from the  Bancorp's  Proxy  Statement  for Annual  Meeting of
Shareholders.


<PAGE>


PART IV

ITEM 14- EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

A. 1. Financial Statements

     See Part II, Item 8 for the index to Consolidated Financial Statements.

2. Financial Statement Schedules

     All schedules are omitted for the reason that they are not  applicable,  or
     the required  information  is shown in the  financial  statements  or notes
     thereto.

3. Exhibits

     (3) Articles of Incorporation are incorporated by reference to Exhibit 5 of
         the  Registrant's   Registration  Statement  on  Form  S-14  (File  No.
         2-76974).  Registrant's Bylaws are incorporated by reference to Exhibit
         6 of  Registrant's  Registration  Statement  on  Form  S-14  (File  No.
         2-76974).

     (4) Instruments defining the rights of security holders.

         Inapplicable.

     (9) Voting Trust Agreement.

         Inapplicable.

    (10) Material Contracts.

         The American Bancop of Nevada 1995 stock option plan is incorporated by
         reference to the Registrant's  Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File
         No. 33-66217).

         The American  Bancorp of Nevada 1989 stock option plan is  incorporated
         by reference  to the  Registrant's  Registration  Statement on Form S-8
         (File No. 33-29914 )

         Exhibit  10-1 the  American  Bancorp of Nevada 1995 Stock  Appreciation
         Rights Plan is filed herein.

         Exhibit 10-2 the management contract with Bruce E. Hendricks, President
         and Chief Operating Officer is filed herein.

    (12) Statement re-computation of ratios.

         Inapplicable.

    (18) Letter re-change in accounting principles.

         Inapplicable.
                                                                         
    (21) Subsidiaries of the Registrant.

         The subsidiaries of Bancorp are as follows:

                a.    American Bank of Commerce, a Nevada Corporation
                b.    AmBank Financial, Inc., a Nevada Corporation
                c.    AmBank Mortgage Company, a Nevada Corporation

    (22) Published  report  regarding  matters  submitted  to vote  of  security
         holders.

         Inapplicable.

    (23) Independent Auditors' Consent.

         23 - 1  Consent of McGladrey & Pullen, LLP

    (27) Financial Data Schedule

B. Reports on Form 8-K

     During the last quarter of Fiscal Year 1996, the following  reports on Form
     8-K were filed:

     None.

C.   Exhibits

     See Item A.3 above.

<PAGE>

                                                                        

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

American Bancorp of Nevada,  and each of the undersigned,  do hereby  constitute
and appoint Bruce E. Hendricks,  Robert E. Olson, and Patricia L. Kirkwood,  and
each of them individually, as attorney-in-fact,  to act as its or their true and
lawful  attorneys  to  execute on behalf of  American  Bancorp of Nevada and the
undersigned  any and all  amendments  to this Annual  Report on Form 10-K and to
file the same with all  exhibits  thereto  and  other  documents  in  connection
therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

                                   SIGNATURES

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

Dated March 11, 1997 AMERICAN BANCORP OF NEVADA (Registrant)



                                    By:/S/ Bruce E. Hendricks
                                    --------------------------------------------
                                    Bruce E. Hendricks
                                    President and Chief Operating Officer



                                    By:/S/ Robert E. Olson
                                    --------------------------------------------
                                    Robert E. Olson
                                    Executive Vice President and
                                    Chief Financial Officer



                                    By:/S/ Patricia L. Kirkwood
                                    --------------------------------------------
                                    Patricia L. Kirkwood
                                    Executive Vice President and Cashier

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report
has been signed below by the following  persons and in the capacities and on the
dates indicated:

Signature and Title                               Date
- -------------------------------                   --------------


/S/ Claudine Williams                             March 11, 1997
- -------------------------------                   --------------
Claudine Williams
Director, Chairman of the Board

/S/ James V. Bradham                              March 11, 1997
- --------------------------------                  --------------
James V. Bradham
Director, Vice Chairman & CEO
                                                 
/S/ Bruce E. Hendricks                            March 11, 1997
- --------------------------------                  --------------
Bruce E. Hendricks
Director, and President & COO

/S/ Edward D. Smith                               March 11, 1997
- --------------------------------                  --------------
Edward D. Smith
Director, Corporate Secretary

/S/ Vern J. Christensen                           March 11, 1997
- --------------------------------                  --------------
Vern J. Christensen
Director

/S/ Elias F. Ghanem, M.D.                         March 11, 1997
- --------------------------------                  --------------
Elias F. Ghanem, M.D.
Director

/S/ Nasser F. Ghanem                              March 11, 1997
- --------------------------------                  --------------
Nasser F. Ghanem
Director
<PAGE>



/S/ Joel A. Laub                                  March 11, 1997
- --------------------------------                  --------------
Joel A. Laub
Director

/S/ Betty Lou Lehman                              March 11, 1997
- --------------------------------                  --------------
Betty Lou Lehman
Director

/S/ Darrell A. Luery                              March 11, 1997
- --------------------------------                  --------------
Darrell A. Luery
Director
                                                                     


                           AMERICAN BANCORP OF NEVADA

                       1995 STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS PLAN


  1.     Purpose of Plan

         The purpose of the 1995 Stock Appreciation  Rights Plan (the "Plan") is
         to provide key  employees  and directors  with  long-term  compensation
         based on the long-term growth and  profitability of American Bancorp of
         Nevada (the "Company"). Specific objectives of the Plan include:

         o  Motivating participants to maximize shareholder value

         o  Providing   a   long-term    orientation   in   the    participant's
            decision-making

         o  Retaining participants over a long period

         o  Rewarding the participants for the Company's outstanding performance

  2.     Administration

         The Board of Directors  (the "Board")  will  administer  the Plan.  The
         Board  has the  authority  to  interpret  the Plan  and all  provisions
         relating to the Plan as deemed necessary.

  3.     Eligibility

         Key employees of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, and members of
         the Board are  eligible  to  participate  in the Plan.  The Board  will
         determine who will participate in the Plan.

  4.     Rights Set Aside

         The Plan will allocate a maximum of 350,000 Stock  Appreciation  Rights
         ("Rights").  In the event that a Right previously granted shall for any
         reason lapse or be canceled  without being  exercised,  the  referenced
         Right  shall be  restored  to the total  number of Rights to be granted
         under the Plan.

  5.     Grants

         The Board shall have the  exclusive  power to  determine  the number of
         Rights  to be  granted  to the  participants  and when  Rights  will be
         granted.  Rights shall be subject to such terms and  conditions  as set
         forth in the Plan.

 6.      Exercise Price

         The exercise price of each Right granted shall be the fair market value
         of a share of common stock of the Company at the date of grant.
<PAGE>



  7.     Rights Account

         Rights  granted  to the  participants  shall  be  credited  to a Rights
         Account (the  "Account")  established  and  maintained  for each of the
         participants.  The Account of a  participant  shall record the value of
         the  Rights  granted  to a  participant  under the Plan,  is solely for
         accounting purposes,  and shall not require a segregation of any of the
         Company's assets.  Each Right shall be valued in the manner provided in
         Section 10.

  8.     Performance Period

         The  performance  period of the  Rights  shall be for a period of up to
         five years  from the date of the grant of the Right  (the  "Performance
         Period").  The Performance Period shall extend from the date the Rights
         are granted until the earliest of the following events:

         o  Death, disability or retirement

         o  Termination, liquidation or dissolution of the Company

         o  Sale of  substantially  all of the assets and/or common stock of the
            Company

         o  The Company merges or  consolidates  with any other  corporation and
            the Company is not the surviving corporation

         o  A participant is voluntarily or  involuntarily  terminated  from the
            Company with respect to Rights  granted to such  participant  in the
            capacity as an employee

         o  A participant  ceases his or her directorship  with the Company with
            respect to Rights  granted to such  participant in the capacity as a
            director

         o  The participant exercises the Right

         o  Five years from the date of grant has elapsed

 5.      Vesting of Rights

         Rights granted to the  participants  shall vest in accordance  with the
         following  schedule of years of  employment  or  directorship  that the
         participant  has had with the  Company  since  the date of the grant of
         such Rights.

           Percentage                                     Years Following
           of Rights                                       Date of Grant
           ----------                                     ---------------

               25%                                             1 year
               50%                                             2 years
               75%                                             3 years
              100%                                             4 years

         Notwithstanding  the  above  provision,   all  Rights  granted  to  the
         participants  shall become fully vested upon (I) death,  disability  or
         retirement;  (ii)  termination,   liquidation  or  dissolution  of  the
         Company;  (iii) sale of  substantially  all of the assets and/or common
         stock  of the  Company;  or (iv) the  merger  or  consolidation  of the
         Company  with any other  corporation  wherein  the  Company  is not the
         surviving corporation.

         For the  purposes of the Plan:  (I) a  participant  will be  considered
         disabled if, in the sole determination of the Board, the participant is
         subject to a physical or mental  condition  which is expected to render
         the participant unable to perform the participant's usual duties or any
         comparable  duties on  behalf of the  Company  or a  subsidiary  of the
         Company  for a period in excess of one year;  and (ii) the  participant
         will be considered  retired if the  participant's  employment  with the
         Company or a subsidiary of the Company  terminates at or after the date
         the participant attains the age of 65.
<PAGE>



         If a participant  voluntarily or  involuntarily  terminates  employment
         with,  or  directorship  of the Company,  all  unvested  Rights will be
         canceled,  and such Rights  shall be  restored  to the total  number of
         Rights to be granted under the Plan.

10.      Valuation of Rights

         The value of each Right shall be equal to the excess of (I) the average
         of the  daily  average  of the  closing  bid and  asked  prices  of the
         Company's common stock for the five consecutive business days beginning
         with the third  business day after the date of filing of the  Company's
         10-Q or 10-K, as applicable, that is filed prior to the nearest in time
         to the end of the Performance  Period,  over (ii) the fair market value
         of an outstanding  share of common stock of the Company at the date the
         Right was granted.

11.      Exercise of Rights

         Participants  can  exercise  any vested  Rights at any time  during the
         Performance Period.  Participants shall exercise rights by delivering a
         written  notice,  in a form and in a manner  substantially  as shown in
         Exhibit A hereto,  and specifying the number of Rights to be exercised.
         Upon receipt of the notice of exercise,  the Company  shall have thirty
         days to pay the  participant.  For purposes of the valuation in Section
         10 above,  the Rights which are  exercised  pursuant to this Section 11
         shall be deemed to be exercised  as of the date  provided in the notice
         of  exercise  or the date  such  notice  is  received  by the  Company,
         whichever is earlier.

12.      Payment of Rights

         Upon  the  end  of  the  Performance  Period  of  granted  Rights,  the
         participant  shall be entitled  to receive  from the Company an amount,
         with respect to each vested Right in each participant's  Account, equal
         to the value of each Right as determined pursuant to Section 10 above.

13.      Changes in Capital and Corporate Structure

         In the event of any change in the outstanding shares of common stock of
         the   Company  by  reason  of  an  issuance   of   additional   shares,
         recapitalization,  reclassification,  reorganization, redemption, stock
         split,  reverse stock split,  combination of shares,  stock dividend or
         similar  transaction,  the Board shall  proportionately  adjust,  in an
         equitable manner,  the number of Rights held by the participants  under
         the Plan and the fair market  value of an  outstanding  share of common
         stock of the Company at the date the Right was granted.

14.      Forfeiture of Rights

         If the  employment of a participant  is terminated for any reason other
         than death,  disability or retirement,  the  participant's  interest in
         Rights which have not vested on or prior to the date of the termination
         of  employment  shall  be  forfeited  or  canceled,   and  neither  the
         participant nor the participant's heirs, personal  representatives,  or
         successors  shall  have any  future  rights  with  respect  to any such
         Rights.

         Notwithstanding  any other  provision  of the Plan,  all  rights to any
         future payments to be made hereunder to a participant will be forfeited
         and canceled, and the Company will have no further obligation hereunder
         to such  participant,  if the participant is discharged from employment
         with  the  Company  "for  cause".   However,  the  Board  in  its  sole
         discretion,  may reinstate the Rights of the participant as of the date
         of the  termination of  employment,  provided that the Board takes such
         action within thirty days of the date of  termination  of employment of
         such participant.
<PAGE>



         The participant  shall be deemed to have been terminated "for cause" if
         the  participant's  employment is involuntarily  terminated  because of
         either the participant's willful malfeasance or the participant's gross
         negligence in a matter of material importance to the Company, or if the
         participant's   employment  is  terminated,   whether   voluntarily  or
         involuntarily, because of his commission of a felonious act against the
         Company. The Board's determination of a participant's  termination "for
         cause" for purposes of this Plan shall be final, conclusive and binding
         on all persons including the participant.

15.      Termination of Plan

         In the event  that (I) the  owners of a  majority  of the shares of the
         common stock of the Company  terminate the business of, or liquidate or
         dissolve,  the Company,  (ii) the Company merges or  consolidates  with
         another corporation and the Company is not the surviving corporation of
         such merger or consolidation, (iii) substantially all the assets of the
         Company are sold,  (iv) the Company sells shares of common stock of the
         Company  in an amount  that is equal to more than 51% of the  Company's
         outstanding  shares  of  common  stock  or  (v)  more  than  51% of the
         Company's  outstanding  shares of common stock or voting rights thereto
         are  purchased  or acquired  by any person,  entity or group of persons
         and/or entities acting in concert, then this Plan shall terminate,  all
         Rights that have been granted under the Plan shall become  vested,  and
         the  Company  shall make  payment for the Rights as provided in Section
         12.

16.      Nontransferability

         Rights granted under the Plan, and any rights and privileges pertaining
         thereto, may not be transferred,  assigned,  pledged or hypothecated in
         any manner, by operation of law or otherwise,  other than by will or by
         the laws of  descent  and  distribution,  and shall not be  subject  to
         execution,   attachment  or  similar   process.   In  the  event  of  a
         participant's  death, payment of any amount due under the Plan shall be
         made to the duly  appointed  and qualified  executor or other  personal
         representative  of the participant to be distributed in accordance with
         the participant's will or applicable law of descent and distribution.

17.      Withholding

         The  Company  shall  have the right to  deduct  from all  amounts  paid
         pursuant  to the Plan any taxes  required  by law to be  withheld  with
         respect to such amounts.

18.      Voting and Dividend Rights

         The  participants  shall not be  entitled  to any  voting  rights or to
         receive any  dividends  with respect to the  Company's  common stock in
         connection with the Rights granted under the Plan.

19.      Miscellaneous Provisions

         a. No employee or other person shall have any claim or right to be made
            a participant under the Plan.  Neither the Plan nor any action taken
            hereunder  shall be  construed  as giving any employee or person any
            right to be retained in the employ of the Company.

         b. ThePlan  shall at all times be entirely  unfunded,  and no provision
            shall at any time be made with respect to segregating  assets of the
            Company  for payment of any  benefits  hereunder.  The  participants
            shall not have any interest in any particular asset or assets of the
            Company by reason of the right to receive a benefit  under the Plan,
            and the participants shall have only the rights of general unsecured
            creditors of the Company with respect to any Rights under the Plan.
<PAGE>



         c. Except  when  otherwise  required  by  the  context,  any  masculine
            terminology  in this document  shall  include the feminine,  and any
            singular terminology shall include the plural.

         d. The Plan shall be governed and construed in accordance with the laws
            of the State of Nevada.

         e. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to exclude the participants
            from  any   supplemental   compensation,   bonus,   profit  sharing,
            insurance,  severance  pay,  or other  benefit  which a  participant
            otherwise  might be or might  become  entitled  to as an employee or
            director of the Company.

20.      Effectiveness and Terms of Plan

         The effective  date of the Plan shall be January 1, 1995. The Board may
         terminate  the Plan at any time,  and unless  terminated  sooner by the
         Board,  the Plan shall  terminate on December 31, 1999. No Rights shall
         be granted  pursuant to the Plan after the date of  termination  of the
         Plan,  although after such date, payments shall be made with respect to
         Rights granted prior to the date of termination.
<PAGE>

                                           EXHIBIT A

                           NOTICE OF STOCK APPRECIATION REIGHT EXERCISE

Mr. James V. Bradham
American Bancorp of Nevada
President/Chief Executive Officer
4425 Spring Mountain Road
Las Vegas, Nevada    89102

Dear Mr. Bradham:

Pursuant to the my Stock Appreciation Rights Agreement dated ("Agreement"), I am
exercising  (#) Rights.  I  understand  that  payment  pursuant to the terms and
conditions  of the  Agreement  shall  be made to me  within  thirty  days of the
receipt of this notice by American Bancorp of Nevada.

I further  acknowledge that American Bancorp of Nevada makes no  representations
as to federal or state tax matters, and that I am to consult my own tax attorney
or  tax  accountant  for  advice  with  respect  to  the  exercise  of my  stock
appreciation rights.

Sincerely,



Name of Grantee



<PAGE>


                           AMERICAN BANCORP OF NEVADA

                       STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT


         This Stock Appreciation  Rights Agreement (the "Agreement") is made and
entered  into  as of the  _____  day of  _____________,  19___,  by and  between
American  Bancorp  of  Nevada,  a  Nevada   corporation  (the  "Bancorp"),   and
____________________________, ("Grantee");

         WHEREAS,  pursuant  to  the  American  Bancorp  of  Nevada  1995  Stock
Appreciation  Rights Plan (the "Plan"),  a copy of which is attached  hereto and
incorporated by reference,  the Board of Directors of the Bancorp has authorized
granting to Grantee ________ stock appreciation  rights  ("Rights"),  such grant
shall be for the term and upon the terms and conditions hereinafter stated;

         NOW,  THEREFORE,  it is hereby agreed: 1. Grant of Rights.  Pursuant to
said  action of the Board of  Directors,  the Bancorp  hereby  grants to Grantee
________ Rights,  whereby each Right, subject to the terms and conditions herein
and in the Plan,  entitles the Grantee to receive in cash the difference between
(I) the average of the daily  average of the closing bid and asked prices of the
Company's common stock for the five consecutive business days beginning with the
third  business day after the date of filing of the  Company's  10-Q or 10-K, as
applicable,  which  is  filed  prior  to and  nearest  in time to the end of the
Performance  Period as defined  in the Plan for such Right and (ii)  $__________
(the fair market value of an outstanding share of common stock of Bancorp at the
date the Rights were granted). 10-1(8)

         2.  Exercisability.  The Rights shall be  exercisable as to twenty-five
percent  (25%) of the  total  number  of  Rights  granted  hereby  on the  first
anniversary  date  of  the  date  of the  grant  of the  Rights,  an  additional
twenty-five  percent  (25%)  of  the  total  number  of  Rights  on  the  second
anniversary  date  of  the  date  of the  grant  of the  Rights,  an  additional
twenty-five percent (25%) of the total number of Rights on the third anniversary
date of the  date of the  grant of the  Rights,  and the  remaining  twenty-five
percent  (25%) of the total number of Rights on the fourth  anniversary  date of
the  date of the  grant  of the  Rights. 

         Unless the Rights have expired or terminated earlier in accordance with
the provisions  hereof or in the Plan, the Rights which have vested shall remain
exercisable until ___________,  ______  ("Expiration Date") which date shall not
be later than five years from the date the Rights were granted.

         3.  Exercise of Rights.  Rights  which have vested may be  exercised by
written notice  (substantially  in the form as that which is attached as Exhibit
A)  delivered  to the  Bancorp  stating  the  number of  Rights  which are being
exercised. Upon exercise,  Grantee shall make appropriate arrangements and shall
be responsible for the withholding of any federal and state taxes then due.

         4.  Cessation  of  Directorship  or  Employment.  Except as provided in
Paragraphs 2 and 5 hereof,  if Grantee  shall cease to be a director or employee
of the Bancorp or a subsidiary  corporation for any reason  including  Grantee's
death or disability,  the  Performance  Period of the Rights shall expire at the
time of such cessation of employment or directorship.

         5.  Termination of Employment for Cause.  If Grantee's  employment with
the Bancorp or a subsidiary  corporation  is terminated  for cause as defined in
the Plan,  the  Rights  accrued by  Grantee  as of such  termination  date shall
terminate and shall no longer be exercisable. However, the Board of Directors of
Bancorp  within  thirty  days  from  the date of such  termination,  in its sole
discretion,  may reinstate the Rights of Grantee that were vested as of the date
of such termination.
<PAGE>



         6.  Nontransferability.  The Rights shall not be transferable except by
will or by the laws of descent and distribution and shall be exercisable  during
Grantee's lifetime only by Grantee.

         7.  Employment.  This  Agreement  shall not  obligate  the Bancorp or a
subsidiary  corporation to employ Grantee for any period, nor shall it interfere
in any way with the right of the Bancorp or a subsidiary  corporation  to reduce
Grantee's compensation.

         8. Representations of Grantee. Grantee represents that the Bancorp. its
directors,  officers,  employees  and agents  have not and will not  provide tax
advice with respect to the Rights, and Grantee agrees to consult with his or her
own tax advisor as to the specific tax consequences of the Rights, including the
application and effect of federal, state, local and other tax laws.

         9. Notices.  Any notice to the Bancorp  provided for in this  Agreement
shall be addressed to it in care of its President or Chief Financial  Officer at
its main  office and any  notice to  Grantee  shall be  addressed  to  Grantee's
address on file with the Bancorp or a subsidiary  corporation,  or to such other
address as either may  designate  to the other in writing.  Any notice  shall be
deemed to be duly given if and when enclosed in a properly  sealed  envelope and
addressed as stated above and deposited, postage prepaid, with the United States
Postal  Service.  In lieu of giving  notice by mail as  aforesaid,  any  written
notice  under this  Agreement  may be given to  Grantee  in  person,  and to the
Bancorp by personal delivery to its President or Chief Financial Officer.

         10. Participant as an Unsecured Creditor.  The Grantee acknowledges and
agrees that he or she shall have no interest in any  particular  asset or assets
of the Company by reason of the Rights, and furthermore the Grantee acknowledges
and  agrees  that he or she shall  have only the  rights of a general  unsecured
creditor of the Bancorp with Respect to the Rights.

IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the parties  hereto have executed this Agreement as of the
day and year first above written.


GRANTEE                                     AMERICAN BANCORP OF NEVADA

By                                          By 
   ---------------------------------           ---------------------------------


                                            By 
                                               ---------------------------------



May 3, 1996



James V. Bradham
President & CEO
American Bank of Commerce
4425 Spring Mountain Road
Las Vegas, Nevada    89102

Dear Jim:

Thank you for taking time yesterday to come to Sheridan. Both Judi and I enjoyed
seeing you.  I'm pleased to accept  employment  with  American  Bank of Commerce
under the following terms:

         1.    Title:    Senior Executive Vice President
                         and C.O.O. with a position on
                         the Board of Directors

         2.    Salary:   Annual Base Salary - $125,000

         3.    Signing Bonus:    To include relocation expenses - $25,000

         4.    Stock Options:    5,000 shares with strike price to be
                                 determined by 7/01/96

         5.    SARs:    5,000 SARs

         6.    Employment Contract: In the event of change in control within two
                                    years of employment date, 1 year annual
                                    base pay or the equivalent of a 10 year
                                    Senior Management payment benefit which
                                    ever may be greater.  Actual contract to be
                                    completed by Gary Findley and signed by
                                    employment date.

         7.    Participation in Executive Bonus Program
               1996:    Bonus Compensation to be the same
                        as the highest of any Executive Vice President.


         8.    Vacation:    Benefit to be the same as a 10 year
                            member of senior management.

         9.    Other:    Bank will provide an automobile, Country Club
                         membership, and group family medical plan
                         coverage as soon as eligible.

Jim, I hope this meets with your  approval.  If you wish to make any  changes or
discuss, please call.

Signed:                                              Accepted:


/s/Bruce E. Hendricks                                /s/James V. Bradham
- -----------------------------                        ---------------------------
Bruce E. Hendricks                                   James V. Bradham



Date: May 3, 1996                                   Date: May 3, 1996


<PAGE>



                           MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING



June 20, 1996



In the event that  change of control of the  company  (as  defined in the Option
Plan)  occurs  before  June 18,  1998,  and  Bruce  Hendricks  does  not  accept
employment  with the  acquiring  firm,  he is  entitled to one year base pay, or
severance  benefits equal to a member of senior  management  with ten (10) years
seniority, whichever is greater.



/s/Bruce E. Hendricks                                /s/James V. Bradham
- -----------------------------                        ---------------------------
Bruce E. Hendricks                                   James V. Bradham
Senior Executive Vice President &                    President
 Chief Operating Officer








                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS





We hereby consent to the  incorporation of our report,  dated January 17, 1997,
included in this Form 10-K in the previously  filed  Registration  Statements of
American Bancorp of Nevada on Form S-8 No. 33-66217 and 33-29914.


                                   /s/ McGLADREY & PULLEN, LLP


McGLADREY & PULLEN, LLP
Las Vegas, Nevada
March 11, 1997



<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE DECEMBER
31, 1996 FORM 10-K FOR AMERICAN BANCORP OF NEVADA AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                          36,454
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                           9,571
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                 8,400
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                    121,876
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                               0
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                                 0
<LOANS>                                        126,738
<ALLOWANCE>                                      1,311
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 317,854
<DEPOSITS>                                     248,596
<SHORT-TERM>                                    36,440
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                              1,166
<LONG-TERM>                                          0
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                           186
<OTHER-SE>                                      31,465
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>                 317,854
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                 12,592
<INTEREST-INVEST>                                7,293
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                   388
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                                20,273
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                               4,376
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               5,792
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                           14,480
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                      375
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                 307
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                  9,130
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  6,715
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                       4,877
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     4,877
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.28
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.28
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    6.05
<LOANS-NON>                                        700
<LOANS-PAST>                                         0
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                     0
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                      0
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                 1,243
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                      316
<RECOVERIES>                                        10
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                                1,311
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                             1,311
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                              0
        

</TABLE>


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