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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002
OR

For the transition period from                              to                             

Commission file number 1-10521

CITY NATIONAL CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code (310) 888-6000

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

No securities are registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act

        Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  YES ý NO o

        Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K §229-405 of this chapter is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  o

        Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).  YES ý NO o

        The aggregate market value of the registrant's common stock ("Common Stock") held by non-affiliates is approximately $2,265,876,239 (based on the June 28, 2002 closing price of Common Stock of $53.75 per share).

        As of February 28, 2003, there were 48,720,735 shares of Common Stock outstanding.

Documents Incorporated by Reference

        The information required to be disclosed pursuant to Part III of this report either shall be (i) deemed to be incorporated by reference from selected portions of City National Corporation's definitive proxy statement for the 2003 annual meeting of stockholders, if such proxy statement is filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A not later than 120 days after the end of the Corporation's most recently completed fiscal year, or (ii) included in an amendment to this report filed with the Commission on Form 10-K/A not later than the end of such 120 day period.

Part I

Item 1. Business

General

        City National Corporation (the "Corporation") was organized in Delaware in 1968 to acquire the outstanding capital stock of City National Bank (the "Bank"). References to the "Company" reflect all of the activities of the Corporation and its subsidiaries, including the Bank. The Corporation owns all the outstanding shares of the Bank.

        The Bank, which was founded in 1953 and opened for business in January 1954, conducts business in California and New York City. The Bank provides banking, investment and trust services through 54 offices including an office in New York City and 12 full-service regional centers in Southern California and the San Francisco Bay Area.

        In the three years ended December 31, 2002, the Company acquired three financial services institutions. On February 28, 2002, the Company completed the acquisition of Civic BanCorp ("Civic") headquartered in Oakland, California with total assets at December 31, 2001 of $524.0 million. The total purchase price was $123.5 million (including the consideration for outstanding stock options). Subsequently two former Civic BanCorp branches with combined deposits of approximately $37.0 million were sold. On December 29, 2000, the Corporation completed the acquisition of Reed, Conner & Birdwell, Inc. ("RCB"), an investment management firm with $1.1 billion in total client assets under management on the date of acquisition. On February 29, 2000, the Corporation acquired The Pacific Bank, N.A. ("Pacific Bank") which had total assets at December 31, 1999 of $774.9 million. The total purchase price was $145.2 million (including the consideration for outstanding stock options). See "—Note 2 to Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements" on page A-48 of this report.

        On January 31, 2003, the Corporation announced that it had entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Convergent Capital LLC, a privately held Chicago-based company, and substantially all of its asset management holdings, including its majority ownership interests in eight asset management firms and minority interests in two additional firms. Combined, these 10 firms manage assets of $6.5 billion. The purchase price is $49.0 million, comprised of cash and the assumption of approximately $7.5 million of debt, and is subject to closing adjustments. Upon satisfaction of regulatory and other customary closing conditions, the acquisition is expected to close in the second quarter of 2003.

        The Company is engaged in one operating segment: providing private and business banking, including investment and trust services. The Bank is the second largest independent commercial bank headquartered in California. The Bank's principal client base comprises small-to mid-sized businesses, entrepreneurs, professionals, and affluent individuals. The Bank typically serves clients through relationship banking. The Bank seeks to build client relationships with a high level of personal service and tailored products through private and commercial banking teams, product specialists and investment advisors to facilitate the client, where appropriate for the client, to use multiple services and products offered by the Company. The Company offers a broad range of loans, deposit, cash management, international banking, and other products and services. The Company also lends, invests, and provides services in accordance with its Community Reinvestment Act ("CRA") commitment. Through RCB, a subsidiary of the Corporation and City National Investments ("CNI"), a division of the Bank, the Company offers personal and employee benefit trust services, including 401(k) and defined benefit plans, manages investments for clients, and engages in securities sales and trading. The Bank also manages and offers mutual funds under the name of CNI Charter Funds.

Competition

        The banking business is highly competitive. The Bank competes with domestic and foreign banks for deposits, loans, and other banking business. In addition, other financial intermediaries, such as

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savings and loans, money market mutual funds, securities firms, credit unions, insurance companies and other financial services companies, compete with the Bank. Furthermore, interstate banking legislation has eroded the geographic constraints on the financial services industry. Legislation has facilitated the ability of non-depository institutions to act as financial intermediaries. See "—Supervision and Regulation—Financial Services Modernization Legislation."

Economic Conditions, Government Policies, Legislation, and Regulation

        The Company's profitability, like most financial institutions, is highly dependent on interest rate differentials. In general, the difference between the interest rates paid by the Bank on interest-bearing liabilities, such as deposits and other borrowings, and the interest rates received by the Bank on its interest-earning assets, such as loans extended to its clients and securities held in its investment portfolio, comprise the major portion of the Company's earnings. These rates are highly sensitive to many factors that are beyond the Company's control, such as inflation, recession, and unemployment, and the impact which future changes in domestic and foreign economic conditions might have on the Company cannot be predicted.

        The Company's business is also influenced by the monetary and fiscal policies of the federal government and the policies of regulatory agencies, particularly the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the "Federal Reserve"). The Federal Reserve implements national monetary policies (with objectives such as curbing inflation and combating recession) through its open-market operations in U.S. Government securities, by adjusting the required level of reserves for depository institutions subject to its reserve requirements, and by varying the target federal funds and discount rates applicable to borrowings by depository institutions. The actions of the Federal Reserve in these areas influence the growth of bank loans, investments, and deposits and also affect interest rates earned on interest-earning assets and paid on interest-bearing liabilities. The nature and impact on the Company of any future changes in monetary and fiscal policies cannot be predicted.

        From time to time, legislative acts, as well as regulations, are enacted which have the effect of increasing the cost of doing business, limiting or expanding permissible activities, or affecting the competitive balance between banks and other financial services providers. Proposals to change the laws and regulations governing the operations and taxation of banks, bank holding companies, and other financial institutions and financial services providers are frequently made in the U.S. Congress, in the state legislatures, and before various regulatory agencies. See "—Supervision and Regulation."

Employees

        At December 31, 2002, the Company had 2,250 full-time equivalent employees. None of the employees are covered by a collective bargaining agreement. The Company considers its employee relations to be satisfactory.

Supervision and Regulation

General

        Bank holding companies and banks are extensively regulated under both federal and state law. This regulation is intended primarily for the protection of depositors, the deposit insurance fund, and other clients of the Company, and not for the benefit of shareholders of the Corporation. Set forth below is a summary description of the material laws and regulations which relate to the operations of the Corporation and the Bank. The description is qualified in its entirety by reference to the applicable laws and regulations.

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The Corporation

        The Corporation, as a registered bank holding company, is subject to regulation by the Federal Reserve under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended (the "BHCA"). In exercising its regulatory authority, the Federal Reserve may:

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conduct examinations of the Corporation and its subsidiaries;



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require the Corporation to terminate activities that the Federal Reserve believes constitute a significant risk to the financial safety, soundness, or stability of the Corporation or any of its banking subsidiaries;



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limit the Corporation's ability to repurchase or redeem its equity securities;



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restrict certain tie-in arrangements in connection with any extension of credit, lease or sale of property, or furnishing of services;



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require the Corporation to obtain the prior approval of the Federal Reserve before acquiring another bank holding company or a bank; and



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prohibit the Corporation, except in certain statutorily prescribed instances, from acquiring or engaging in non-banking activities, other than any activities that are deemed by the Federal Reserve to be so closely related to banking or managing or controlling banks as to be a proper incident thereto (See "—Financial Services Modernization Legislation").

        Under Federal Reserve regulations, a bank holding company is required to serve as a source of financial and managerial strength to its subsidiary banks and may not conduct its operations in an unsafe or unsound manner. In addition, it is the Federal Reserve's policy that in serving as a source of strength to its subsidiary banks, a bank holding company should stand ready to use available resources to provide adequate capital funds to its subsidiary banks during periods of financial stress or adversity and should maintain the financial flexibility and capital-raising capacity to obtain additional resources for assisting its subsidiary banks. A bank holding company's failure to meet its obligations to serve as a source of strength to its subsidiary banks will generally be considered by the Federal Reserve to be an unsafe and unsound banking practice or a violation of the Federal Reserve's regulations or both.

The Bank

        The Bank, as a national banking association, is subject to primary supervision, examination, and regulation by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (the "Comptroller"). To a lesser extent, the Bank is also subject to certain regulations promulgated by the Federal Reserve and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. If, as a result of an examination of a bank, the Comptroller should determine that the financial condition, capital resources, asset quality, earnings prospects, management, liquidity, or other aspects of the bank's operations are unsatisfactory or that the bank or its management is violating or has violated any law or regulation, various remedies are available to the Comptroller. These remedies include the power to enjoin "unsafe or unsound" practices, to require affirmative action to correct any conditions resulting from any violation or practice, to issue an administrative order that can be judicially enforced, to direct an increase in capital, to restrict the growth of the bank, to assess civil monetary penalties, to remove officers and directors, and ultimately to terminate the bank's deposit insurance.

        Various requirements and restrictions under the laws of the United States affect the operations of the Bank. Statutes and regulations relate to many aspects of the Bank's operations, including reserves against deposits, ownership of deposit accounts, interest rates payable on deposits, loans, investments, mergers, and acquisitions, borrowings, dividends, locations of branch offices, and capital requirements. Further, the Bank is required to maintain certain levels of capital. See "—Capital Standards."

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Financial Services Modernization Legislation

        The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999 (the "Financial Services Modernization Act") has established a comprehensive framework to permit affiliations among commercial banks, insurance companies, securities firms, and other financial service providers by revising and expanding the BHCA framework to permit a bank holding company to engage in a full range of financial activities through a new type of entity known as a financial holding company. "Financial activities" include not only banking, insurance, and securities activities, but also merchant banking and additional activities that the Federal Reserve, in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury, determines to be financial in nature, incidental to such financial activities, or complementary activities that do not pose a substantial risk to the safety and soundness of depository institutions or the financial system generally.

        In order for the Corporation to take advantage of the ability to affiliate with certain other financial services providers, the Corporation must elect to become a "financial holding company". The Corporation currently meets the requirements to make an election to become a financial holding company. The Corporation's management has not determined at this time to seek an election to become a financial holding company. The Corporation continues to examine its strategic business plan to determine whether, based on market conditions, the relative financial conditions of the Corporation and its subsidiaries, regulatory capital requirements, general economic conditions, and other factors, the Corporation desires to use any of the expanded powers provided in the Financial Services Modernization Act.

        The Financial Services Modernization Act also permits national banks to engage in expanded activities through the formation of financial subsidiaries. A national bank may have a subsidiary engage in any activity authorized for national banks directly or any financial activity, except for, among others, insurance underwriting, insurance investments, or merchant banking, which may only be conducted through a subsidiary of a financial holding company. Financial activities include all other activities permitted under new sections of the BHCA or permitted by regulation.

        A national bank seeking to have a financial subsidiary must be "well-capitalized" and "well-managed." The total assets of all financial subsidiaries may not exceed the lesser of 45% of a bank's total assets, or $50 billion. Further, if the bank is among the 50 largest banks in the United States, as is the Bank, it must have an issue of unsecured long-term debt rated in one of the top three investment grade categories. The Bank does not currently qualify to have a financial subsidiary because its credit rating is not in one of the three highest investment grade ratings. National banks, whether qualified to have a financial subsidiary or not, may still conduct activities authorized for national banks directly through operating subsidiaries.

        The Corporation and the Bank do not believe that the Financial Services Modernization Act will have a material adverse effect on operations in the near-term. However, to the extent that it permits banks, securities firms, and insurance companies to affiliate, the financial services industry may experience further consolidation. The Financial Services Modernization Act grants to community banks certain powers as a matter of right that larger institutions have accumulated on an ad hoc basis. Nevertheless, this act may have the result of increasing the amount of competition that the Corporation and the Bank face from larger institutions and other types of companies offering financial products, many of which may have substantially more financial resources than the Corporation and the Bank.

        Pursuant to the Financial Services Modernization Act, federal banking regulators have adopted rules that limit the ability of banks and other financial institutions to disclose non-public information about consumers to nonaffiliated third parties. These rules require disclosure of privacy policies to consumers and, in some circumstance, allow consumers to prevent disclosure of certain personal information to a nonaffiliated third party.

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        In addition, the Financial Services Modernization Act directed federal banking regulators to adopt consumer protection rules for the sale of insurance products by depository institutions. These rules prohibit depository institutions from conditioning an extension of credit on the consumer's purchase of an insurance product or annuity from the depository institution or from any of its affiliates, or on the consumer's agreement not to obtain, or a prohibition on the consumer from obtaining, an insurance product or annuity from an unaffiliated entity. Furthermore, to the extent practicable, a depository institution must keep insurance and annuity sales activities physically segregated from the areas where retail deposits are routinely accepted from the general public. Finally, the rule contains required disclosures and addresses cross marketing and referral fees.

USA Patriot Act

        The USA Patriot Act of 2001 strengthens the ability of various agencies of the United States to work cohesively to combat terrorism on a variety of fronts. The impact of the Act on financial institutions of all kinds is significant and wide ranging. The Act contains sweeping anti-money laundering and financial transparency laws and requires various regulations, including;

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Due diligence requirements for financial institutions that administer, maintain, or manage private banks accounts or correspondent accounts for non-U.S. persons;



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Standards for verifying customer identification at account opening;



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Rules to promote cooperation among financial institutions, regulators, and law enforcement entities in identifying parties that may be involved in terrorism or money laundering;



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Reports by nonfinancial trades and business filed with the Treasury Department's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network for transactions exceeding $10,000 and;



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Filing of suspicious activities reports by brokers and dealers if they believe a customer may be violating U.S. laws and implementing regulations.

        The Company is not able to predict the impact of such law on its financial condition or results of operations at this time since the regulations for this law are in proposed form and have yet to be finalized.

Dividends and Other Transfers of Funds

        The Corporation is a legal entity separate and distinct from the Bank. Dividends from the Bank constitute the principal source of income to the Corporation. The Bank is subject to various statutory and regulatory restrictions on its ability to pay dividends to the Corporation. Under such restrictions, at December 31, 2002 the Bank could have paid dividends of $136.3 million to the Corporation without obtaining prior approval of its banking regulators. In addition, the Federal Reserve has the authority to prohibit the Bank from paying dividends, depending upon the Bank's financial condition, if such payment is deemed to constitute an unsafe or unsound practice.

        The Comptroller also has the authority to prohibit the Bank from engaging in activities that, in its opinion, constitute unsafe or unsound practices in conducting its business. It is possible, depending upon the financial condition of the Bank and other factors, that the Comptroller could assert that the payment of dividends or other payments might, under some circumstances, be such an unsafe or unsound practice. Further, the bank regulatory agencies have established guidelines with respect to the maintenance of appropriate levels of capital by banks or bank holding companies under their jurisdiction. Compliance with the standards set forth in such guidelines and the restrictions that are or may be imposed under the prompt corrective action provisions of federal law could limit the amount of dividends which the Bank or the Corporation may pay.

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        Federal law limits the ability of the Bank to extend credit to the Corporation or its other affiliates, to invest in stock or other securities thereof, to take such securities as collateral for loans, and to purchase assets from the Corporation or other affiliates. These restrictions prevent the Corporation and such other affiliates from borrowing from the Bank unless the loans are secured by marketable obligations of designated amounts. Further, such secured loans and investments by the Bank to or in the Corporation or to or in any other affiliate are limited individually to 10.0% of the Bank's capital and surplus and in the aggregate to 20.0% of the Bank's capital and surplus. See "Note 10 to Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements" on page A-60 of this report. Additional restrictions on transactions with affiliates may be imposed on the Bank under the prompt corrective action provisions of federal law. See "—Prompt Corrective Action and Other Enforcement Mechanisms."

Capital Standards

        Each federal banking agency has adopted risk-based capital regulations under which a banking organization's capital is compared to the risk associated with its operations for both transactions reported on the balance sheet as assets as well as transactions which are off-balance sheet items, such as letters of credit and recourse arrangements. Under the capital regulations, the nominal dollar amounts of assets and the balance sheet equivalent amounts of off-balance sheet items are multiplied by one of several risk adjustment percentages, which range from 0% for assets with low credit risk, such as certain U.S. Treasury securities, to 100% for assets with relatively high credit risk, such as commercial loans.

        In addition to the risk-based capital guidelines, federal banking agencies require banking organizations to maintain a minimum amount of Tier 1 capital to total assets, referred to as the leverage ratio. For a banking organization rated composite 1 under the "Uniform Financial Institutions Rating System (CAMELS)" for banks, which rating is the highest of the five categories used by the federal banking agencies to rate banking organizations, the minimum leverage ratio of Tier 1 capital to total assets is 3%. For all but the most highly-rated banking organizations, the minimum leverage ratio of Tier 1 capital to total assets is 4%. Banking organizations with supervisory, financial, operational, or managerial weaknesses, as well as organizations that are anticipating or experiencing significant growth, are expected to maintain capital ratios above the minimum levels. In addition to these uniform risk-based capital guidelines and leverage ratios that apply across the industry, the federal banking agencies have the discretion to set individual minimum capital requirements for specific institutions at rates significantly above the minimum guidelines and ratios.

        At December 31, 2002, the Corporation and the Bank each exceeded the required risk-based capital ratios for classification as "well capitalized" as well as the required minimum leverage ratios. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis—Balance Sheet Analysis—Capital" on page A-15 of this report.

Prompt Corrective Action and Other Enforcement Mechanisms

        Federal banking agencies possess broad powers to take corrective and other supervisory action to resolve the problems of insured depository institutions, including but not limited to those institutions that fall below one or more prescribed minimum capital ratios.

        An institution that, based upon its capital levels, is classified as well capitalized, adequately capitalized, or undercapitalized may be treated as though it were in the next lower capital category if the appropriate federal banking agency, after notice and opportunity for hearing, determines that an unsafe or unsound condition or an unsafe or unsound practice warrants such treatment. At each successive lower capital category, an insured depository institution is subject to more restrictions. The federal banking agencies, however, may not treat a significantly undercapitalized institution as critically undercapitalized unless its capital ratio actually warrants such treatment.

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        In addition to measures taken under the prompt corrective action provisions, commercial banking organizations may be subject to potential enforcement actions by the federal regulators for unsafe or unsound practices in conducting their businesses or for violations of any law, rule, regulation, or any condition imposed in writing by the agency or any written agreement with the agency.

Safety and Soundness Standards

        As required by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991, as amended, the federal banking agencies have adopted guidelines designed to assist the federal banking agencies in identifying and addressing potential safety and soundness concerns before capital becomes impaired. The guidelines set forth operational and managerial standards relating to: (i) internal controls, information systems, and internal audit systems, (ii) loan documentation, (iii) credit underwriting, (iv) asset growth, (v) earnings, and (vi) compensation, fees, and benefits. In addition, the federal banking agencies have also adopted safety and soundness guidelines with respect to asset quality and earnings standards. These guidelines provide six standards for establishing and maintaining a system to identify problem assets and prevent those assets from deteriorating. Under these standards, an insured depository institution should: (i) conduct periodic asset quality reviews to identify problem assets, (ii) estimate the inherent losses in problem assets and establish allowances that are sufficient to absorb estimated losses, (iii) compare problem asset totals to capital, (iv) take appropriate corrective action to resolve problem assets, (v) consider the size and potential risks of material asset concentrations, and (vi) provide periodic asset quality reports with adequate information for management and the board of directors to assess the level of asset risk. These guidelines also set forth standards for evaluating and monitoring earnings and for ensuring that earnings are sufficient for the maintenance of adequate capital and reserves.

        Federal regulations require banks to maintain adequate valuation allowances for potential credit losses. The Company has an internal risk analysis and review staff that continually reviews loan quality and ultimately reports to the Audit Committee. This analysis includes a detailed review of the classification and categorization of problem loans, assessment of the overall quality and collectibility of the loan portfolio, consideration of loan loss experience, trends in problem loans, concentration of credit risk, and current economic conditions, particularly in California. Based on this analysis, management, with the review and approval of the Audit Committee, determines the adequate level of allowance required. The allowance for credit losses is allocated to different segments of the loan portfolio, but the entire allowance is available for the loan portfolio in its entirety.

Premiums for Deposit Insurance

        The Bank's deposit accounts are insured by the Bank Insurance Fund ("BIF"), as administered by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the "FDIC"), up to the maximum permitted by law. Insurance of deposits may be terminated by the FDIC upon a finding that the institution has engaged in unsafe or unsound practices, is in an unsafe or unsound condition to continue operations, or has violated any applicable law, regulation, rule, order, or condition imposed by the FDIC or the institution's primary regulator.

        The FDIC charges an annual assessment for the insurance of deposits, which as of December 31, 2002 ranged from 0 to 27 cents per $100 of insured deposits, based on the risk a particular institution poses to its deposit insurance fund. The risk classification is based on an institution's capital group and supervisory subgroup assignment. An institution's capital group is based on the FDIC's determination of whether the institution is well capitalized, adequately capitalized, or less than adequately capitalized. An institution's supervisory subgroup assignment is based on the FDIC's assessment of the financial condition of the institution and the probability that FDIC intervention or other corrective action will be required. In addition to its normal deposit insurance premium as a member of the BIF, the Bank must pay an additional premium toward the retirement of the Financing Corporation bonds ("Fico Bonds")

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issued in the 1980s to assist in the recovery of the savings and loan industry. In 2002 this premium was approximately 1.8 cents per $100 of insured deposits.

Interstate Banking and Branching

        The BHCA permits bank holding companies from any state to acquire banks and bank holding companies located in any other state, subject to certain conditions, including certain nationwide- and state-imposed concentration limits. The Company has the ability, subject to certain restrictions, to acquire by acquisition or merger branches outside its home state. The establishment of new interstate branches is also possible in those states with laws that expressly permit it. Interstate branches are subject to certain laws of the states in which they are located. Competition may increase further as banks branch across state lines and enter new markets. In December 2002, the Company purchased an existing branch in New York and opened a private banking facility. From time to time, the Company may consider and if deemed feasible, may engage in additional interstate branch acquisitions.

Community Reinvestment Act and Fair Lending Developments

        The Bank is subject to certain fair lending requirements and reporting obligations involving home mortgage lending operations and CRA activities. The CRA generally requires the federal banking agencies to evaluate the record of a financial institution in meeting the credit needs of its local communities, including low- and moderate-income neighborhoods. A bank may be subject to substantial penalties and corrective measures for a violation of certain fair lending laws. The federal banking agencies may take compliance with such laws and CRA obligations into account when regulating and supervising other activities.

        A bank's compliance with its CRA obligations is based on a performance-based evaluation system which bases CRA ratings on an institution's lending, service and investment performance. When a bank holding company applies for approval to acquire a bank or other bank holding company, the Federal Reserve will review the assessment of each subsidiary bank of the applicant bank holding company, and such records may be the basis for denying the application. In connection with its assessment of CRA performance, the appropriate bank regulatory agency assigns a rating of "outstanding," "satisfactory," "needs to improve," or "substantial noncompliance." A bank's CRA rating will also affect the ability of the bank and its bank holding company to take advantage of the new powers granted by the Financial Services Modernization Act. Based on the most current examination report dated January 10, 2000, the Bank was rated "satisfactory." See "—Financial Services Modernization Legislation."

Investment Advisers Act

        Under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 ("Advisers Act"), investment advisers, such as RCB and City National Asset Management, Inc., a subsidiary of the Bank, who manage $25 million or more in client assets or who act as adviser to a registered investment company must register with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Available Information

        The Company's home page on the Internet is www.cnb.com. The Company makes its web site content available for information purposes only. It should not be relied upon for investment purposes, nor is it incorporated by reference into this Form 10-K.

        The Company makes its annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and proxy statement for its annual shareholder meetings, as well as any amendment to those reports, available free of charge through its web site as soon as reasonably practicable after it electronically files such material with, or furnishes it to, the SEC. You can learn more about the Company by reviewing the Company's SEC filings on its web site. The Company's SEC

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reports can be accessed through the investor relations page of its web site. The SEC also maintains a web site at www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy statements and other information regarding SEC registrants, including the Corporation."

Item 2. Properties

        The Company has its principal offices in the City National Center, 400 North Roxbury Drive, Beverly Hills, California 90210, which the Company owns and occupies. The property has a market value in excess of its depreciated value included in the Company's financial statements. The Company actively maintains operations in 54 banking offices and certain other properties.

        Since 1967, the Bank's Pershing Square Banking Office and a number of Bank departments have been a tenant of the office building located at 606 South Olive Street in downtown Los Angeles. The building was originally developed and built by a partnership between a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Bank, Citinational Bancorporation, and Buckeye Construction Co., and Buckeye Realty and Management Corporation (two corporations then affiliated with Mr. Bram Goldsmith, then only a director and currently Chairman of the Board of the Corporation). Since its completion, the building has been owned by Citinational-Buckeye Building Co., a limited partnership of which Citinational Bancorporation and Olive-Sixth Buckeye Co. are the only general partners, each with a 29% partnership interest. Citinational Bancorporation has an additional 3% interest as a limited partner of Citinational-Buckeye Building Co.; the remainder is held by other, unaffiliated limited partners. Olive- Sixth Buckeye Co. is a limited partnership of which Mr. Goldsmith is a 49% general partner; therefore, Mr. Goldsmith has an indirect 14% ownership interest in Citinational-Buckeye Building Co. The remaining general partner and all limited partners of Olive-Sixth Buckeye Co. are not affiliated with the Corporation. Since 1990, Citinational-Buckeye Building Co. has managed the building, which is almost fully leased.

        As of December 31, 2002, the Bank owned one other banking office property in Riverside, California.

        The remaining banking offices and other properties are leased by the Bank. Total annual rental payments (exclusive of operating charges and real property taxes) are approximately $20.9 million, with lease expiration dates ranging from 2003 to 2013, exclusive of renewal options.

Item 3. Legal Proceedings

        The Corporation and its subsidiaries are defendants in various pending lawsuits. Based on present knowledge, management, including in-house counsel, does not believe that the outcome of such lawsuits will have a material adverse effect upon the Company.

        The Corporation is not aware of any material proceedings to which any director, officer, or affiliate of the Corporation, any owner of record or beneficially of more than 5% of the voting securities of the Corporation as of December 31, 2002, or any associate of any such director, officer, affiliate of the Corporation, or security holder is a party adverse to the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries or has a material interest adverse to the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries, except as follows. Stuart Buchalter, a director of the Corporation and the Bank, also serves as a co-trustee of an insurance trust created by a client of the Bank. The insurance trust, the Bank's client, a business trust of the Bank's client and certain related entities are adverse parties to the Bank in a collection action brought by the Bank, as further described under the heading "Certain Transactions" in the Corporation's definitive proxy statement for the 2003 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which description is incorporated by reference in Item 13 of Part III of this report.

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

        There was no submission of matters to a vote of security holders during the fourth quarter of the year ended December 31, 2002.

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Item 4A. Executive Officers of the Registrant

        Shown below are names and ages of all executive officers of the Corporation and officers of the Bank who are deemed to be executive officers of the Corporation, with indication of all positions and offices with the Corporation and the Bank. Mr. Russell Goldsmith is the son of Mr. Bram Goldsmith.

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PART II

Item 5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters

        The Corporation's common stock is listed and traded principally on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "CYN." Information concerning the range of high and low sales prices for the Corporation's common stock, and the dividends declared, for each quarterly period within the past two fiscal years is set forth below.

        As of February 28, 2003 the closing price of the Corporation's stock on the New York Stock Exchange was $46.56 per share. As of that date, there were approximately 1,725 record holders of the Corporation's common stock. On January 22, 2003, the Board of Directors authorized a regular quarterly cash dividend on its common stock at an increased rate of $0.205 per share payable on February 18, 2003.

        For a discussion of dividend restrictions on the Corporation's common stock, see "Note 10 to Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements" on page A-60 of this report.

Item 6. Selected Financial Data

        The information required by this item appears on page A-2, under the caption "Selected Financial Information," and is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

        The information required by this item appears on pages A-3 through A-35, under the caption "Management's Discussion and Analysis," and is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

        The information required by this item appears on pages A-16 through A-21, under the caption "Management's Discussion and Analysis," and is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

        The information required by this item appears on pages A-37 through A-70 and on page A-35, under the captions "2002 Quarterly Operating Results" and "2001 Quarterly Operating Results," and is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

        None.

12

PART III

Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant

        The information required by this item, to the extent not included under "Item 4A. Executive Officers of the Registrant" in Part I of this report, will appear in the Corporation's definitive proxy statement for the 2003 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the "2003 Proxy Statement"), and such information either shall be (i) deemed to be incorporated herein by reference from that portion of the 2003 Proxy Statement, if filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A not later than 120 days after the end of the Corporation's most recently completed fiscal year, or (ii) included in an amendment to this report filed with the Commission on Form 10-K/A not later than the end of such 120 day period.

Item 11. Executive Compensation

        The information required by this item will appear in the 2003 Proxy Statement, and such information either shall be (i) deemed to be incorporated herein by reference from the 2003 Proxy Statement, if filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A not later than 120 days after the end of the Corporation's most recently completed fiscal year, or (ii) included in an amendment to this report filed with the Commission on Form 10-K/A not later than the end of such 120 day period.

Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

        The information required by this item will appear in the 2003 Proxy Statement, and such information either shall be (i) deemed to be incorporated herein by reference from the 2003 Proxy Statement, if filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A not later than 120 days after the end of the Corporation's most recently completed fiscal year, or (ii) included in an amendment to this report filed with the Commission on Form 10-K/A not later than the end of such 120 day period.

Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

        The information required by this item will appear in the 2003 Proxy Statement, and such information either shall be (i) deemed to be incorporated herein by reference from the 2002 Proxy Statement, if filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A not later than 120 days after the end of the Corporation's most recently completed fiscal year, or (ii) included in an amendment to this report filed with the Commission on Form 10-K/A not later than the end of such 120 day period. Also see "Note 4 to Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements" on page A-50 of this report.

Item 14. Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

        Under SEC rules, the Company is required to maintain disclosure controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC's rules and forms. The Company's disclosure controls and procedures were designed to ensure that material information related to the Company, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to management, including the chief executive officer and chief financial officer, in a timely manner. In connection with the Company's system of disclosure controls and procedures, the Company has created a disclosure committee which consists of certain members of

13

the Company's senior management. The system is further supported by formal policies and procedures, including a Code of Conduct designed to ensure employees adhere to the highest standards of personal and professional integrity. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognized that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, and management necessarily was required to use its judgment in evaluating the cost to benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures.

        Within the 90-day period prior to the filing date of this report, the Company carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of its disclosure controls and procedures. The Company's management, including the Company's disclosure committee and its chief executive officer and chief financial officer, supervised and participated in the evaluation. Based on this evaluation, the chief executive officer and the chief financial officer concluded that the Company's disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the evaluation date.

Changes in Internal Controls

        There were no significant changes in the Company's internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect those controls subsequent to the date of their evaluation.

14

PART IV

Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules, and Reports on Form 8-K

(a)

The following documents are filed as part of this report:

1.

Financial Statements:

2.

All other schedules and separate financial statements of 50% or less owned companies accounted for by the equity method have been omitted because they are not applicable.

3.

Exhibits

15

16

*

Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement

(b)

The registrant filed a report, dated October 17, 2002, on Form 8-K under items 5 and 7 regarding the financial results for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2002.

The registrant filed a report, dated October 25, 2002, on From 8-K under item 5 regarding an increase to the Corporation's current stock repurchase program and the announcement of third quarter 2002 common stock dividend.

17

SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

March 19, 2003

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

18

19

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER CERTIFICATION

I, Russell D. Goldsmith certify that:

1.

I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of City National Corporation;

2.

Based on my knowledge, this annual report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this annual report.

3.

Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this annual report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this annual report;

4.

The registrant's other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the registrant and we have:

a.

designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this annual report is being prepared;

b.

evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this annual report (the "Evaluation Date"); and

c.

presented in this annual report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on our evaluation as of the Evaluation Date;

5.

The registrant's other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function):

a.

all significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls which could adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data and have identified for the registrant's auditors any material weaknesses in internal controls; and

b.

any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal controls; and

6.

The registrant's other certifying officers and I have indicated in this annual report whether or not there were significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the date of our most recent evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.

20

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER CERTIFICATION

I, Frank P. Pekny certify that:

1.

I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of City National Corporation;

2.

Based on my knowledge, this annual report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this annual report.

3.

Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this annual report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this annual report;

4.

The registrant's other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the registrant and we have:

a.

designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this annual report is being prepared;

b.

evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this annual report (the "Evaluation Date"); and

c.

presented in this annual report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on our evaluation as of the Evaluation Date;

5.

The registrant's other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function):

a.

all significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls which could adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data and have identified for the registrant's auditors any material weaknesses in internal controls; and

b.

any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal controls; and

6.

The registrant's other certifying officers and I have indicated in this annual report whether or not there were significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the date of our most recent evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.

21

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

*

Adjusted excludes goodwill amortization in years prior to 2002 to reflect both periods on a comparable basis in accordance with "new GAAP"

A-1

SELECTED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

(1)

Adjusted balances reflect the elimination of goodwill amortization of $12,868, $11,223, $5,171, and $3,349 for the years ended December 31, 2001, 2000, 1999, and 1998, respectively, to reflect all periods on a comparable basis

(2)

The efficiency ratio is defined as noninterest expense excluding ORE expense divided by total revenue (net interest income on a tax-equivalent basis and noninterest income).

A-2

MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

        The discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of these financial statements requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of our financial statements. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

        Certain accounting policies involve significant judgments and assumptions by management which have a material impact on the carrying value of certain assets and liabilities; management considers such accounting policies to be critical accounting policies. The judgments and assumptions used by management are based on historical experience and other factors, which are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances.

        Management believes the following are critical accounting policies that require the most significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of its consolidated financial statements:

Accounting for securities

        All securities other than trading securities are classified as available-for-sale and are valued at fair value. Trading securities are valued at fair value with any unrealized gains or losses included in income. Unrealized gains or losses on securities available-for-sale are excluded from net income but are included in comprehensive income net of taxes. Premiums or discounts on securities available-for-sale are amortized or accreted into income using the interest method. Realized gains or losses on sales of securities available-for-sale are recorded using the specific identification method.

        If available, quoted market prices provide the best indication of value. If quoted market prices are not available for fixed maturity securities, the Company discounts the expected cash flows using market interest rates commensurate with the credit quality and maturity of the investments. Alternatively, matrix or model pricing may be used to determine an appropriate fair value. The determination of market or fair value considers various factors, including time value and volatility factors; price activity for equivalent instruments; counterparty credit quality; and the potential impact on market prices or fair value of liquidating the Company's positions in an orderly manner over a reasonable period of time under current market conditions. Changes in assumptions could affect the fair values of investments.

        For the substantial majority of our portfolios, fair values are determined based upon externally verifiable model inputs and quoted prices. All financial models that are used for updating the Company's published financial statements, or for independent risk monitoring, must be validated and periodically reviewed by qualified personnel. Using this information, the Company conducts regular reviews to assess whether other-than-temporary impairment exists. Deteriorating economic conditions-global, regional, or related to specific issuers-could adversely affect these values. The Company considers such factors as the length of time and the extent to which the market value has been less than cost. If an other-than-temporary impairment is determined to exist, the impairment is included in income.

Accounting for the allowance for credit losses

        The provision for credit losses charged to operations reflects management's judgment of the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses and is determined through quarterly analytical reviews of the loan portfolio, problem loans and consideration of such other factors as the Company's loan loss experience, trends in problem loans, concentrations of credit risk, and current economic conditions, as

A-3

well as the results of the Company's ongoing credit examination process and that of its regulators. As conditions change, our level of provisioning and allowance for credit losses may change.

        Larger balance, non-homogenous exposures representing significant individual credit exposures are evaluated based upon the borrower's overall financial condition, resources, and payment record; the prospects for support from any financially responsible guarantors; and, if appropriate, the realizable value of any collateral. The allowance for credit losses attributed to these loans is established via a process that begins with estimates of probable loss inherent in the portfolio based upon various statistical analyses. These analyses consider historical and projected default rates and loss severities; internal risk ratings; geographic, industry, and other environmental factors; and model imprecision. Management also considers overall portfolio indicators, including trends in internally risk-rated exposures, classified exposures, cash-basis loans, and historical and forecasted write-offs; and a review of industry, geographic, and portfolio concentrations, including current developments within those segments. In addition, management considers the current business strategy and credit process, including credit limit setting and compliance, credit approvals, loan underwriting criteria and loan workout procedures.

        Within the allowance for credit losses, amounts are specified for larger-balance, non-homogeneous loans that have been individually determined to be impaired. These amounts consider all available evidence, including, as appropriate, the present value of the expected future cash flows discounted in the loan's contractual effective rate, the secondary market value of the loan and the fair value of collateral.

        Each portfolio of smaller balance, homogeneous loans, including residential first mortgage, installment, revolving credit and most other consumer loans, is collectively evaluated for loss potential. The allowance for credit losses is established via a process that begins with estimates of probable losses inherent in the portfolio, based upon various statistical analyses. These include migration analysis, in which historical delinquency and credit loss experience is applied to the current aging of the portfolio, together with analyses that reflect current trends and conditions. Management also considers overall portfolio indicators, including historical credit losses, delinquent, non-performing and classified loans, and trends in volumes and terms of loans, an evaluation of overall credit quality and the credit process, including lending policies and procedures, economic, geographical, product, and other environmental factors; and model imprecisions.

Accounting for derivatives and hedging activities

        On January 1, 2001, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133 "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities," as amended (SFAS No. 133). SFAS 133 requires that all derivatives be recorded on the balance sheet at their fair value. The treatment of changes in the fair value of derivatives depends on the character of the transaction.

        For fair value hedges, in which derivatives hedge the fair value of assets and liabilities, changes in the fair value of derivatives will be reflected in current earnings, together with changes in the fair value of the related hedged item. For effective cash flow hedges, in which derivatives hedge the variability of cash flows related to floating rate assets, liabilities or forecasted transactions, changes in the derivatives' fair value will not be included in current earnings but will be reported as other comprehensive income. These changes in fair value will be included in earnings of future periods when earnings will be affected by the variability of the hedged cash flows. To the extent these derivatives are not effective, changes in their fair values will be immediately included in current earnings.

        The Company uses "plain vanilla" interest rate swaps to mitigate risks associated with changes 1) to the fair value of certain fixed-rate deposits and borrowings and 2) to certain cash flows related to future interest payments on variable rate loans. The positive mark-to-market on the fair value hedges has resulted in the recognition of other assets and an increase in hedged deposits and borrowings. The

A-4

positive mark-to-market on cash flow hedges of variable-rate loans has resulted in the recognition of other assets and comprehensive income.

        Fair values are determined from verifiable third-party sources who have considerable experience with the interest-rate swap market.

        The periodic net settlement of these interest-rate risk management instruments is recorded as an adjustment to net interest income.

Accounting for stock options

        The Company applies APB Opinion No. 25 in accounting for the plans and, accordingly, no compensation cost has been recognized for its stock options in the financial statements. As a practice, the Corporation's stock option grants are such that the exercise price equals the current market price of the common stock. Had the Company determined compensation cost based on the fair value at the grant date for its stock options under SFAS No. 123 using the Black Scholes option-pricing model, the Company's proforma net income would have been reduced to the proforma amounts indicated below:

        The Black Scholes option-pricing model requires assumptions on expected life of the options that is based upon the pattern of exercise of options granted by the Corporation in the past; volatility based on changes in the price of the Corporation's common stock during the past 10 years, measured monthly; dividend yield and risk-free investment rate. Actual dividend payments will depend upon a number of factors, including future financial results, and may differ substantially from the assumption. The risk-free investment rate is based on the yield on 10 year U.S. Treasury Notes on the grant date.

        The actual value, if any, which a grantee may realize will depend upon the difference between the option exercise price and the market price of the Corporation's common stock on the date of exercise.

OVERVIEW

        The Corporation is the holding company for the Bank. References to the "Company" mean the Corporation and the Bank together. The financial information presented herein includes the account of the Corporation, its non-bank subsidiaries, the Bank, and the Bank's wholly owned subsidiaries. All material transactions between these entities are eliminated.

        See "Cautionary Statement for Purposes of the "Safe Harbor" Provision of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995," on pages A-33 and A-34 in connection with "forward looking" statements included in this report.

        Consolidated net income for 2002 was $183.1 million, or $3.56 per diluted common share, compared with $146.2 million, or $2.96 per diluted common share, in 2001. The Company's 2002 net income of $183.1 million was up 15.13% from $159.0 million a year earlier, this latter amount having been adjusted to reflect the new accounting standards for goodwill amortization ("New GAAP"). Net income per diluted common share of $3.56 increased 10.56% over $3.22 on a comparable basis. The increase in net income reflects the growth in the Company's loans and deposits during 2002 as well as an increase in service fees. Net interest income on a fully taxable-equivalent basis for 2002 increased

A-5

$82.3 million over 2001. Noninterest income increased $13.9 million compared with 2001. Partially offsetting these increases was a $32.0 million increase in the provision for credit losses and a $19.2 million increase in noninterest expense in 2002 compared with 2001.

        The return on average assets in 2002 was 1.68%, compared with, on an adjusted basis, 1.70% in 2001. The return on average shareholders' equity declined to 17.45%, compared with, on an adjusted basis 19.27% for the prior year. The adjustment makes the 2001 data comparable with New GAAP. The lower return on average shareholders' equity for the year compared with the prior year was due primarily to a higher level of shareholders' equity from increased unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities, retained net income, the shares issued for the Civic acquisition and from the exercise of stock options, net of treasury share repurchases.

        Management currently expects net income per diluted common share for 2003 to be in the range of approximately 8.0% to 10.0% higher than net income per diluted common share for 2002 in light of the business indicators discussed below. This expectation as well as all other expectations in this report are before the impact of the anticipated acquisition of Covergent Capital Management LLC described below.

        Total assets at December 31, 2002 were $11,870.4 million, compared with $10,176.3 million at December 31, 2001.

        Total average assets increased to $10,891.6 million in 2002 from $9,328.5 million in 2001, an increase of $1,563.1 million, or 16.8%, primarily due to increases in average loans and average securities. Total average loans rose to $7,822.7 million for the year 2002, an increase of 16.5% over the prior year. Year-over-year loan growth was driven primarily by increases in real estate mortgages, residential first mortgages, commercial loans and construction loans. Average deposits rose during the year 2002 to $8,639.5 million, an increase of 22.2% over $7,068.0 million for 2001.

        Total nonperforming assets (nonaccrual loans and ORE) were $72.0 million, or 0.90% of total loans and ORE at December 31, 2002, compared with $38.6 million, or 0.54%, at December 31, 2001. The allowance for credit losses at December 31, 2002 totaled $164.5 million, or 2.06% of outstanding loans. Net loan charge-offs were $54.1 million and $27.6 million for the years 2002 and 2001, respectively. The increase in nonperforming assets and net loan charge-offs in 2002 was primarily due to the generally weak economic environment and in addition, the increase in net loan charge-offs was also largely due to management's decision to reduce the exposure in selected portfolios. Management believes the allowance for credit losses is adequate to cover risks inherent in the portfolio at December 31, 2002.

        Over the last three years, the Company's assets, loans and deposits have grown by 65%, 46% and 74%, respectively. The growth primarily reflects the successful sales efforts of the Company's colleagues. The growth was augmented however, by the bank acquisitions closed by the Company over that same period. The Corporation regularly evaluates, and holds discussions with, various potential acquisition candidates.

        On February 28, 2002, the Corporation completed its acquisition of Civic BanCorp ("Civic"). The Corporation paid consideration equal to $123.5 million (including the consideration for stock options), 53.5% of which was paid in the Corporation's common stock and 46.5% of which was paid in cash. The transaction was accounted for as a purchase. Civic had total assets, loans, and deposits of $502.8 million, $368.4 million, and $438.5 million, respectively at the date of acquisition. The acquisition resulted in the recording of goodwill of $71.2 million and core deposit intangibles of $16.0 million.

        On December 29, 2000, the Corporation acquired RCB, an investment management firm which had $1.1 billion in assets under management. The total consideration was valued at $15.4 million and includes equity participation notes payable to the sellers due in 2003 and 2005 unless redeemed early at

A-6

the option of the Corporation. The acquisition was accounted for under the purchase method of accounting and resulted in goodwill of $14.3 million.

        On February 29, 2000, the Corporation completed its acquisition of Pacific Bank. The Corporation paid consideration equal to $145.2 million (including the consideration for stock options), 47.0% of which was paid in the Corporation's common stock and 53.0% of which was paid in cash. The transaction was accounted for as a purchase. Pacific Bank had total assets, loans, and deposits of $782.0 million, $488.0 million, and $702.0 million, respectively, at the date of acquisition. The acquisition resulted in goodwill and core deposit intangibles of $70.9 million.

        Under the modified October 26, 2000 stock buyback program of 2 million shares of the Corporation's common stock, 1,707,500 shares have been repurchased as of December 31, 2002 at a cost of $71.4 million, or an average price of $41.83 per share. On January 22, 2003, the Board of Directors authorized a 1 million-share stock buyback program of the Corporation's common stock commencing upon the completion of the current modified October 26, 2000 authorized 2 million-share buyback program. Subsequently, additional shares were repurchased to complete the entire 2 million share program at a total cost of $84.8 million. Through February 28, 2003, 63,200 shares have been repurchased under the January 22, 2003 authorized 1 million share program at an average price of $45.65 per share.

        The Corporation paid dividends of $0.78 per share of common stock in 2002 and $0.74 per share of common stock in 2001. On January 22, 2003, the Board of Directors authorized a regular quarterly cash dividend on common stock at an increased rate of $0.205 per share to shareholders of record on February 5, 2003 payable on February 18, 2003. This reflects a 5.1% increase over the quarterly dividend paid in 2002.

RECENT STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENTS

        On February 13, 2003, City National Corporation announced the sale of $225 million of senior notes in a private placement offering to qualified buyers under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. The notes bear interest at a fixed rate of 5.125% each year until maturity in 2013. The net proceeds from the offering will be used for general corporate purposes, including to finance the Corporation's announced acquisition of Convergent Capital Management LLC described below, possible future acquisitions, the Corporation's stock repurchase program and debt repayment.

        Moving to further expand and diversify its asset management business, on January 31, 2003, the Corporation announced that it had entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Convergent Capital Management LLC, a privately held Chicago-based company, and substantially all of its asset management holdings, including its majority ownership interests in eight asset management firms and minority interests in two additional firms. Combined, these 10 firms manage assets of $6.5 billion. The purchase price is $49.0 million, comprised of cash and the assumption of approximately $7.5 million of debt, and is subject to closing adjustments. Upon satisfaction of regulatory and other customary closing conditions, the acquisition is expected to close in the second quarter of 2003.

A-7

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Operations Summary

        Following is an operations summary on a fully taxable-equivalent basis for each of the last five years ended December 31.

(1)

Includes amounts to convert nontaxable income to fully taxable-equivalent yield. To compare tax-exempt asset yields to taxable yields, amounts are adjusted to pre-tax equivalents based on the marginal corporate federal tax rate of 35%.

(2)

Adjusted balances reflect the elimination of goodwill amortization of $12,868, $11,223, $5,171 and $3,349 for the years ended December 31, 2001, 2000, 1999 and 1998, respectively, to reflect all periods on a comparable basis.

Net Interest Income

        Net interest income is the difference between interest income (which includes yield-related loan fees) and interest expense. Net interest income on a taxable-equivalent basis expressed as a percentage of average total earning assets is referred to as the net interest margin, which represents the average net effective yield on earning assets.

A-8

        The following table shows average balances, interest income and yields for the last five years.

Net Interest Income Summary