Exhibit 99.1




January 8, 2003

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For further information contact:

Doug Gulling, Chief Financial Officer

515-222-2309

WEST BANCORPORATION, INC. DECLARES QUARTERLY DIVIDEND

West Des  Moines,  IA - On  January  7,  2003,  the Board of  Directors  of West
Bancorporation,  Inc.,  (WTBA) the parent  company of West Des Moines State Bank
(West Bank),  declared a regular quarterly dividend of $0.16 per common share of
outstanding  stock.  The dividend is payable on January 27, 2003 to shareholders
of record on January  20,  2003.  As of January 7, 2003,  there were  16,060,271
shares of common stock outstanding.

West Bancorporation,  Inc. will release its financial results for the year ended
December 31, 2002 on January 27, 2003.

West Bank  serves  the  metropolitan  Des  Moines  area  through  eight  banking
locations.



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