EXHIBIT 99

                        UNITED SECURITY BANCORPORATION
                        CONTACT:  Wes Colley
                                  President and Chief Executive Officer
                                  (509) 467-6993

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NEWS RELEASE

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                UNITED SECURITY BANCORPORATION CHANGES NAME TO
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                          AMERICANWEST BANCORPORATION
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SPOKANE, WA - March 2, 2001 - United Security Bancorporation (Nasdaq:USBN) today
announced that it has changed its name to AmericanWest Bancorporation effective
March 1, 2001.  The corporate headquarters will remain in Spokane, Washington.

"We are pleased to announce this name change and are certain our shareholders
and customers will find the new name to be more reflective of the people and
markets we currently serve," said Wes Colley, President and Chief Executive
Officer. "The name is more indicative of who we are, where we are, and what we
do best.  When people think about the American West, they think of qualities
like freedom, hard work, and strong communities.  These are the things we're
committed to, as well.  Our new name reflects this very well."

"There are no impending changes in functions, nor will there be any changes in
management or staff as a result of the name change," said Colley.  "We're still
the same people who love to serve our customers.  It isn't just a name or logo
that makes this company great, it's the people."

The company's stock will continue to trade on the Nasdaq exchange under the new
ticker symbol "AWBC" effective March 2, 2001.  Stock certificates issued under
the old "USBN" symbol will be unaffected by this change.

Founded in 1983, AmericanWest Bancorporation (formerly United Security
Bancorporation) is a regional community bank holding company with 35 branch
offices - 33 in Central and Eastern Washington and two in Idaho.  AWBC (USBN)
closed at $11.00 in trading on the NASDAQ National Market System yesterday.

Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995:  Statements in this news release looking forward in time involve risks and
uncertainties, including the effect of changing economic conditions, and other
risk factors detailed in the Company's Securities and Exchange Commission
filings.


NOTE:  Transmitted on Business Wire March 2, 2001.