EXHIBIT 99.1

        City National Increases Stock Repurchase Authorization

    LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 24, 2004--The board of
directors of City National Corporation (NYSE:CYN) today authorized the
repurchase of an additional 1 million shares following completion of
the company's current stock buyback initiative.
    In 2003, City National announced plans to repurchase as many as
1.5 million of its shares. By February 29, 2004, it had bought back
1.36 million shares at an average price of $49.94.
    "City National's stock repurchase program, coupled with a cash
dividend that has increased 64 percent during the last 14 months,
underscores our company's continuing commitment to effective capital
management and shareholder value," said Chief Executive Officer
Russell Goldsmith. "This commitment is reflected in the fact that we
have bought back almost 10 million shares of City National stock in
less than 10 years."
    Shares will be repurchased from time to time in open market
transactions, and are expected to be used for employee stock options,
possible future acquisitions and other general purposes. City National
Corporation had 49.2 million shares outstanding, net of treasury
shares, on December 31, 2003.

    About City National

    City National Corporation is a financial services company with $13
billion in total assets. Its wholly owned subsidiary, City National
Bank, is the second largest independent bank headquartered in
California. As California's Premier Private and Business Bank(R), City
National provides banking, investment and trust services through 53
offices, including 12 full-service regional centers, in Southern
California, the San Francisco Bay Area and New York City. The company
and its affiliates manage or administer more than $28 billion of
client trust and investment assets.

    CONTACT: City National Corporation
             Stephen McAvoy, 213-347-2653 (investors)
             Steve.McAvoy@cnb.com
             or
             Cary Walker, 213-833-4715 (media)
             Cary.Walker@cnb.com