Press release-2-15-2001

First International Bank Teams With The Louis Berger Group To Facilitate Environmental Exports To Asia
First International And Louis Berger Combine Strengths
To Create An Environmental Export Finance Facility For Asia

HARTFORD, Conn., and East Orange, NJ--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 15, 2001—The Louis Berger Group Inc. Global Environment Team and First International Bank, a subsidiary of First International Bancorp Inc. (NASDAQ: FNCE - news), have formed an alliance to promote U.S. exports of environmental products and services to Asia.

First International Bank will provide financing to U.S. companies in the environmental and clean technologies sector to facilitate trade with companies in Asia. First International has a successful ten-year track record in U.S. government-guaranteed lending which has earned the bank worldwide recognition as the first global small business lender. In 2000, First International transacted 153 loans backed by the Export Import Bank of the U.S., making the company the number one user of Ex-Im Bank guarantees – for the fourth year in a row.

The Asia region contains 5 of the top 12 country markets, identified by the U.S. Department of Commerce as key targets for U.S. exports of environmental technologies. Commerce has reported that annual U.S. environmental technology exports are estimated to be US$21.3 billion. The Louis Berger Group Global Environment Team, with offices in India and Philippines and representatives covering Indonesia, Singapore and South Korea, maintains environment and finance staff in this region who work on identifying prospective environmental opportunities for U.S. firms.

Derish Wolff, president and CEO of the Louis Berger Group Inc., stated, "We are excited to be teaming with a proven leader in the field of small and medium-size enterprise trade finance. Louis Berger has provided high-quality services in Asia during its 48-year history. The strength of First International Bank’s unparalleled experience in trade finance combined with our technical expertise will create an effective and agile export finance facility to address pressing environmental issues in Asia."

Brett N. Silvers, the bank's chairman and CEO, noted, "First International is very proud to join with the Louis Berger Group in support of its impressive accomplishments in leading development projects in Asia. We are confident that our expertise in Ex-Im Bank-backed lending will help pave the way for companies here in the U.S. and abroad to do business and advance the use of clean technologies."

First International Bank received the President's "E" Award for Export Service from the U.S. Department of Commerce in May 2000, honoring its efforts to promote U.S. exports and economic interests abroad.

The Louis Berger Group Inc. (www.louisberger.com), founded in 1953, and headquartered in East Orange, New Jersey, is one of the largest multidisciplinary consulting organizations in the world. With over 3,500 employees, located in over 50 countries, the Louis Berger Group Inc. offers expertise in the areas of engineering, construction management, program management, planning, environmental sciences and information technology. The Engineering News Record ranked the Louis Berger Group as 16^th of the "Top 200 International Design Firms" for 1999, with 85% of billings coming from international activities. In 1998, the Louis Berger Group Inc. created a Global Environment Team, based in Washington, DC that has pioneered market-based approaches to cleaner production. In July 2000, a Trade Finance Unit was formed to offer unique and vital trade finance services to overseas buyers of U.S. environmental and clean technology products and services.

First International Bank (www.upscapital.com) - a world leader in the use of SBA, USDA and Export-Import Bank loans - provides innovative credit, trade and financial solutions for small and medium size industrial businesses. The company has more than 200 employees, including 95 experienced lenders, at 15 offices coast-to-coast in the U.S. and international representatives at 14 locations worldwide in the Americas, Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Central Europe. In 2000, the company originated more than $500 million in loans primarily within its industrial niche, and closed the year with a managed loan portfolio of $1.3 billion. Established in 1955, the bank is a subsidiary of publicly traded First International Bancorp Inc. (NASDAQ: FNCE), with headquarters in Hartford, Connecticut.

PRESS CONTACT:

First International Bank
Michele Zommer
(860) 241-4705
zommerm@firstinterbank.com

The Louis Berger Group
Penelope Miller
(973) 678-1960 Ext. 432
pmiller@louisberger.com

TECHNICAL CONTACTS:

First International Bank
Tom Kirby, Senior VP, International Banking
(860) 541-5210
kirbyt@firstinterbank.com

The Louis Berger Group
Global Environment Team
Ted Yoder, Manager, Trade Finance Unit
(202) 331-7775
tyoder@louisberger.com