Paul B. Murphy Jr.
CEO of Amegy Bank of Texas, N.A.
Rings The NASDAQ Stock Market Opening Bell

Monday, March 7, 2005
at NASDAQ's MarketSite
in New York City.

Amegy Bank of Texas, N.A.

About Southwest Bancorporation of Texas, Inc.

Southwest Bancorporation of Texas, Inc., the parent company of Southwest Bank of Texas NA, is the largest independent bank holding company headquartered in Houston, Texas. The Bank will become Amegy Bank NA on March 7, 2005. The Company focuses on commercial lending, treasury management and investment services for businesses, private financial management and trust services for families and individuals, and retail and mortgage banking services. The Company has $7.51 billion in assets, deposits of $5.62 billion and over 75 full-service banking centers located throughout the Houston and Dallas metropolitan areas.

Click for larger pictures of the NASDAQ MarketSite. Additional Photographs for 03/07/2005 Download Hi-Res Quality Photo of this NASDAQ Market Open - Pictured: Amegy Bank of Texas, N.A. [ABNK] CEO Rings The NASDAQ Stock Market Opening Bell These photos are Copyright 2005, The Nasdaq Stock Market Inc. and available for re-publication by the news media only. Any commercial use is strictly prohibited without the prior written consent of The Nasdaq Stock Market Inc. © Copyright 2005, The NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc.