Matrix Bancorp, Inc. Registration Statement on Form S-3 Declared Effective by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission

Matrix Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ:MTXC) (the "Company")
announced today that its registration statement on Form S-3, which
registers for resale by the selling stockholders named therein, shares
of the common stock sold by the Company in a private placement in
December 2005, has been declared effective by the U.S. Securities and
Exchange Commission. The registration statement covers sales by
selling stockholders of up to 5.12 million shares of the Company's
common stock.
   Shares of the Company's common stock covered by the registration
statement are currently listed on the NASDAQ National Market, under
the symbol "MTXC."
   A copy of the prospectus that is part of the registration
statement may be obtained from the SEC by visiting www.sec.gov or you
may request a copy from Matrix Bancorp, Investor Relations Department,
700 Seventeenth Street, Denver, CO 80202, Phone: [phone].
   Matrix' transfer agent is Computershare Trust Company, Inc. Any
transfers of shares pursuant to sales under the registration statement
on Form S-3 should be coordinated through Patrick Hayes at
Computershare Trust Company, Inc., 350 Indiana Street, Suite 800,
Golden, CO 80401, Phone: [phone].
   Denver-based Matrix Bancorp, Inc. is focused on developing its
community-based banking network through its Matrix Capital Bank
subsidiary by strategically positioning branches across Colorado's
Front Range market. The Bank plans to grow its network to an estimated
five to seven community-based branches over the next three to five
years. The Company recently identified "United Western" as its
proposed new brand name and anticipates a formal change in legal and
trade names during second or third quarter of 2006, after receiving
applicable regulatory and shareholder approvals.
   At September 30, 2005, the Company reported total consolidated
assets of $2.0 billion, total loans of $1.4 billion, total deposits of
$1.2 billion and total consolidated shareholders equity of $99.8
million. For more information, please visit www.matrixbancorp.com.

   Certain statements contained in this press release that are not
historical facts, including, but not limited to, statements that can
be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "may,"
"will," "expect," "anticipate," "predict," "believe," "plan,"
"estimate" or "continue" or the negative thereof or other variations
thereon or comparable terminology, are forward-looking statements
within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995, and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. The actual
results of the future events described in such forward-looking
statements in this interim report could differ materially from those
stated in such forward-looking statements. Among the factors that
could cause actual results to differ materially are: the timing of
regulatory approvals or consents for new branches or other
contemplated actions; the availability of suitable and desirable
locations for additional branches; the continuing strength of our
existing business, which may be affected by various factors,
including, but not limited to, interest rate fluctuations; level of
delinquencies; defaults and prepayments; general economic conditions;
competition; the delay in or failure to receive any required
shareholder approvals of the contemplated actions; the risks and
uncertainties discussed elsewhere in the Company's Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004, and in the Company's
Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on November 7, 2005; and the uncertainties set forth from
time to time in the Company's periodic reports, filings and other
public statements.