June 20th, 2009

Dear Friends,

It is with mixed emotions that I announce my resignation as Chairman of the Board of Desert Hills Capital Corp and Desert Hills Bank. It has been an honor and a privilege to have served as your Chairman for the past nine years. I am grateful to have been one of the original founders of the Bank and even after nine years I am amazed at how many of the “original” team is still with the Bank. That in itself speaks very highly as to our original vision in forming Desert Hills. While I will no longer serve as your Chairman, I will continue to be fully engaged as a board member and serve as Chairman Emeritus.

I am also pleased to announce that at the June meeting, the Board of Directors elected William B. Gould to assume the duties of Chairman of the Board. Bill has served as a Director of the bank since inception. He has also served as a member of the Audit Committee and Chairman of the nominating and Compensation Committee. Not only is he a long time resident of Phoenix , but is very well regarded and respected as a businessman and community leader and will serve you well.

In closing, I would like to thank each of you for your friendship, hard work and dedication in helping to make Desert Hills Bank a reality and a presence in the banking community. Without everyone working as a team we would not have been able to succeed. I look forward to our on going success and continued service as one of your Directors.

Robert K. Buhrke
Chairman Emeritus


Dear Friends,

I would like to begin by expressing my gratitude to the Board of Directors for their vote of confidence in allowing me this opportunity to serve as your Chairman of the Board. As you well know, without the visionary insight of Bob Buhrke, Desert Hills Bank would not have become a reality. With his new title as Chairman Emeritus, the Bank will continue to benefit from his insight and many years in the banking industry.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank management and staff for your hard work and dedication during these past twelve months, whether building and supporting customer relationships, strengthening our compliance and internal controls or working in the special assets and OREO areas.

Even though we have experienced some difficult challenges, I believe the worst is behind us and the future is bright for Desert Hills Bank. Arizona has always been among the first to bounce back from recessionary times and indicators are that we will again.

The strength of Desert Hills Bank is in the quality people we have in our employ. You make that difference and I am personally proud to be associated with each one of you and look forward to the opportunities that lie ahead for Desert Hills Bank.

William B. Gould
Chairman