Borel CEO Ronald G. Fick to Retire March 1, 2004

Borel CEO Ronald G. Fick to Retire March 1, 2004 


SAN MATEO, Calif., Dec. 15  /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Borel Private Bank & Trust
Company today announced that CEO Ronald G. Fick will retire effective March 1,
2004.  Fick will remain on the board of directors and will continue to
participate in shaping the strategic direction of the Bank.  Borel's President
and COO John Conover will assume responsibility as CEO on March 1, 2004.

Fick has spent over forty years in the banking business, most recently serving
as President and CEO of Borel, which he co-founded in 1980 following his
great-grandfather Antoine Borel's footsteps.  At Borel, he has served as
Executive Vice President/Senior Trust Officer, Corporate Secretary and CFO and
in 1998, became CEO.  During Fick's term as CEO, Borel's balance sheet assets
increased 75% from $315 million to approximately $550 million and net income
increased approximately 37% from $5.4 million to approximately $7.4 million. In
addition, Fick enjoyed past distinctions with industry organizations as Director
of the California Bankers Association and President of Swiss-American Chamber of
Commerce, San Francisco Chapter.

Timothy L. Vaill, CEO of Boston Private Financial Holdings, said, "We appreciate
the tremendous contributions that Ron has made to Borel since its inception and
especially since the Bank joined the Boston Private family in 2001.  Although we
will miss Ron day-to-day, we will still have his valuable input as a board
member.  Ron has done an incredible job assuring the continuity of the Bank's
management and we have complete confidence in John Conover's talent and skills
as leader."

Along with his distinguished professional track record, Fick has been active in
community service in his hometown of San Mateo, where he received his childhood
education and spent most of his banking career.  Fick has held significant
leadership positions with numerous organizations including: member and past
President of the San Mateo Kiwanis Club, member and past Treasurer of the San
Mateo County Historical Association, past President and Trustee of the San Mateo
City School District Board of Education and Past Chairman of the San Mateo
Chamber of Commerce, among others.  Fick is presently serving as the Chairman of
the Board of Concar Enterprises, Inc and as a Director of Annabelle Candy
Company.

To balance the rigors of his professional and community responsibilities, Fick
owns an antique business and enjoys many outdoorsman pursuits.  His love of
history was penned by the publishing of his book "San Francisco Is No More", a
collection of letters from 1905-1906 authored by his granduncle Antoine Borel,
Jr. discussing the San Francisco earthquake and the effects of the disaster on
the financial community.

"I am proud to have served as CEO of Borel and am pleased to remain active with
the bank and the community.  Now, I am looking forward to retirement in order to
spend more time fly fishing and hunting in Montana," said Fick.

"On behalf of the employees of Borel, I thank Ron for his strong leadership and
dedicated service.  Ron and our team have built a solid foundation for growth
and I'm proud to have the opportunity to extend my role within this terrific
organization.  We look forward to Ron's continued involvement on our board,"
said John Conover, President and COO of Borel Private Bank.

About Borel Private Bank & Trust Company

Founded in 1980, Borel Private Bank & Trust Company is a private bank with
offices in San Mateo and Palo Alto, California. In November of 2001 the bank was
purchased by Boston Private Financial Holdings, (Stock symbol: Nasdaq: BPFH). 
Borel provides a full complement of private banking, trust, and investment
management services tailored to meet the needs of individuals, their families,
and their businesses. Its organizational structure is designed to encourage
decisive responses and flexible actions in all banking situations. As a lender,
Borel specializes in commercial real estate loans, jumbo mortgage loans,
construction loans, home equity loans, and business lines of credit. Borel
Private Bank & Trust Company offers trust and investment management programs
customized to meet each client's individual needs. Borel's commitment to its
community is at the core of its success and evident in the active volunteer and
philanthropic efforts of the bank and its employees.

About Boston Private Financial Holdings

Established in 1987, Boston Private Financial Holdings offers a full range of
high-touch wealth management services. Boston Private's assets include six
operating companies located in New England and California, offering
individualized wealth management, financial planning, investment management, and
private banking services to its domestic and international clientele. These
subsidiaries include: in New England, Boston Private Bank & Trust Company,
Westfield Capital Management Company, LLC., RINET Company LLC., Boston Private
Value Investors; and in Northern California, Sand Hill Advisors and Borel
Private Bank & Trust Company.  Boston Private also owns approximately 27% of
Coldstream Capital Management, based in Bellevue, Washington, giving the firm
its first entree into the Pacific Northwest.  As of September 30th, 2003, Boston
Private manages approximately $9.4 billion in client assets, and has balance
sheet assets of approximately $2.1 billion.  It is a member of the Standard &
Poor's 600 Index and is included on the Nasdaq Financial-100 Index(R).

  CONTACT:
   Kate Rajeck
   Boston Private Financial Holdings, Inc.
   617-912-4380
   http://www.bostonprivate.com/

DATASOURCE: Boston Private Financial Holdings



CONTACT: Kate Rajeck of Boston Private Financial Holdings, Inc., +1-617-

912-4380



Web site:  http:/// http://www.bostonprivatebank.com/

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