<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 9
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
UNAUDITED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, RELATED NOTES AND
MANAGEMENT DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS CONTAINED IN THE REPORT ON FORM 10-Q FILED BY
SILICON VALLEY BANCSHARES FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2000 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-2000
<CASH> 364,670
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS> 548
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD> 1,440,019
<TRADING-ASSETS> 0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE> 2,020,914
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING> 0
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET> 0
<LOANS> 1,596,855
<ALLOWANCE> 73,800
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 5,504,131
<DEPOSITS> 4,799,894
<SHORT-TERM> 0
<LIABILITIES-OTHER> 76,696
<LONG-TERM> 0
0
0
<COMMON> 49
<OTHER-SE> 571,561
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY> 5,504,131
<INTEREST-LOAN> 139,125
<INTEREST-INVEST> 83,695
<INTEREST-OTHER> 59,830
<INTEREST-TOTAL> 282,650
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT> 41,486
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 41,486
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET> 241,164
<LOAN-LOSSES> 46,309
<SECURITIES-GAINS> 35,950
<EXPENSE-OTHER> 146,335
<INCOME-PRETAX> 207,307
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY> 123,329
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 123,329
<EPS-BASIC> 2.68<F1>
<EPS-DILUTED> 2.54<F2>
<YIELD-ACTUAL> 6.91
<LOANS-NON> 18,495
<LOANS-PAST> 0
<LOANS-TROUBLED> 0
<LOANS-PROBLEM> 0
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN> 71,800
<CHARGE-OFFS> 51,828
<RECOVERIES> 7,519
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE> 73,800
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC> 51,333
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN> 0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED> 22,467
<FN>
<F1>REPRESENTS BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE
<F2>REPRESENTS DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE
</FN>
</TABLE>