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<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July&nbsp;29, 2005</B></DIV>


<DIV align="right" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Registration No.&nbsp;333-&#95;&#95;&#95;
</DIV>

<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 2pt solid black; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 1pt solid black; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>




<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 14pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 12pt"><B>Washington, D.C. 20549</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><DIV align="center"><DIV style="font-size: 3pt; margin-top: 16pt; width: 26%; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV></DIV></DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 18pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>FORM S-8</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 12pt"><B>REGISTRATION STATEMENT<BR>
UNDER<BR>
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><DIV align="center"><DIV style="font-size: 3pt; margin-top: 16pt; width: 26%; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV></DIV></DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 24pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>WESTERN ALLIANCE BANCORPORATION</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)</DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Nevada</B><BR>
(State or other jurisdiction of<BR>
incorporation or organization)</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>88-0365922</B><BR>
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)</DIV>

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="47%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="47%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>2700 West Sahara Avenue, Las Vegas, NV</B><BR>
(Address of registrant&#146;s principal executive offices)
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>89102</B><BR>
(Zip Code)</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><DIV align="center"><DIV style="font-size: 3pt; margin-top: 16pt; width: 26%; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV></DIV></DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Western Alliance Bancorporation 2005 Stock Incentive Plan</B><BR>
(Full title of the Plan)</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Robert Sarver<BR>
President, Chief Executive Officer<BR>
Western Alliance Bancorporation<BR>
2700 West Sahara Avenue<BR>
Las Vegas, NV 89102</B><BR>
(Name and address of agent for service)</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>(702)&nbsp;248-4200</B><BR>
(Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt">Copy to:<BR>
<B>Stuart G. Stein, Esq.<BR>
Hogan &#038; Hartson L.L.P.<BR>
555 Thirteenth Street, N.W.<BR>
Washington, D.C. 20004-1109<BR>
(202)&nbsp;637-8575</B><BR>
<DIV align="center"><DIV style="font-size: 3pt; margin-top: 16pt; width: 26%; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV></DIV></DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE</B></DIV>

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="54%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR style="font-size: 1px" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left" colspan="23" style="border-bottom: 3px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="2"><B>Amount</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="2"><B>Proposed maximum</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="2"><B>Proposed maximum</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="2"><B>Amount of</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Title of securities</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="2"><B>to be</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="2"><B>offering price</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="2"><B>aggregate offering</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="2"><B>registration</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>to be registered</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="2"><B>Registered</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="2"><B>per share (1)(2)</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="2"><B>price (1)</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="2"><B>fee (1)</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

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    <TD width="1%" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
                    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000"><DIV style="margin-left:15px; text-indent:-15px">Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share</DIV></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">3,172,394</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">$27.32</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">$86,669,804</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">$10,201.04</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 1px" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left" colspan="23" style="border-top: 3px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

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</TABLE>
</DIV>



<DIV style="margin-top: 3pt">
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">
<TR>
    <TD width="3%"></TD>
    <TD width="1%"></TD>
    <TD width="96"></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="top">
    <TD nowrap align="left">(1)</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Estimated pursuant to Rule 457(h) under the Securities Act of 1933 solely for purposes of
calculating the amount of registration fee, based on the average of the high and low prices of
Western Alliance Bancorporation&#146;s common stock reported on the New York Stock Exchange on July
22, 2005.</TD>
</TR>

<TR style="font-size: 3pt"><TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>

<TR valign="top">
    <TD nowrap align="left">(2)</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>In accordance with the terms of the Western Alliance Bancorporation 2005 Stock Incentive
Plan, the actual offering price of each share shall be 100% of the &#147;Fair Market Value&#148; of a
share of Common Stock on the date on which an option is granted.</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 1pt solid black; margin-top: 10pt; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 2pt solid black; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>


<DIV style="margin-top: 6pt">
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">


</TABLE>
</DIV>
<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;
</DIV>

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<DIV style="margin-top: 6pt"><TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">



</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>PART I</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The documents containing the information specified in Part&nbsp;I will be sent or given to
employees participating in the Western Alliance Bancorporation 2005 Stock Incentive Plan (the
&#147;Plan&#148;), as specified by Rule&nbsp;428(b)(1) promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
(the &#147;Securities Act&#148;). In accordance with the instructions to Part&nbsp;I of Form S-8, such documents
will not be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the &#147;Commission&#148;) either as part of
this registration statement or as prospectuses or prospectus supplements pursuant to Rule&nbsp;424
promulgated under the Securities Act. These documents and the documents incorporated by reference
pursuant to Item&nbsp;3 of Part&nbsp;II of this registration statement, taken together, constitute the
prospectus as required by Section 10(a) of the Securities Act.
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>PART II</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Item&nbsp;3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;We hereby incorporate by reference into this registration statement the following documents
filed with the Commission:
</DIV>

<DIV style="margin-top: 6pt">
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">

<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="3%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%" nowrap align="left">(1)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Our prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act in
connection with our Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No.&nbsp;333-124406);</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="3%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%" nowrap align="left">(2)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>The description of our Common Stock contained in our Registration Statement on
Form 8-A, filed under Section&nbsp;12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
(the &#147;Exchange Act&#148;), and all amendments or reports filed for the purpose of updating
such description.</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;In addition, all documents and reports subsequently filed by us pursuant to Sections&nbsp;13(a),
13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act, prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which
indicates that all securities offered have been sold or which deregisters all securities remaining
unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this registration statement and to be
part hereof from the date of filing of such documents or reports. Any statement contained in a
document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be
modified or superseded for purposes of this registration statement to the extent that a statement
contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be
incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement so
modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a
part of this registration statement.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Item&nbsp;4. Description of Securities.</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not applicable. Our Common Stock is registered with the Commission under Section&nbsp;12 of the
Exchange Act.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Item&nbsp;5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not applicable.
</DIV>

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;
</DIV>

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<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Item&nbsp;6. Indemnification of Officers and Directors.</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Article&nbsp;V of Western Alliance&#146;s amended and restated articles of incorporation provides that,
to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law as then in effect, no director or officer shall
be personally liable to the company or any stockholder for damages for breach of fiduciary duty as
a director or officer, except for (i)&nbsp;acts or omissions which involve intentional misconduct,
fraud, or a knowing violation of law or (ii)&nbsp;the payment of dividends in violation of Nevada
Revised Statutes &#167; 78.300.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Article&nbsp;IV of Western Alliance&#146;s amended and restated bylaws provides for indemnification of
our directors, officers, employees and other agents and advancement of expenses. As permitted by
the Nevada Revised Statutes, Western Alliance&#146;s bylaws provide that the company will indemnify a
director or officer if the individual acted in good faith in a manner which he reasonably believed
to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal
action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. The Nevada
Revised Statutes do not permit indemnification as to any claim, issue or matter as to which such
person has been adjudged by a court of competent jurisdiction to be liable to the corporation, or
for amounts paid in settlement to the corporation, unless and only to the extent that the court in
which the action or suit was brought determines upon application that in view of all of the
circumstance of the case, the person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such
expenses as the court deems proper. In addition, Western Alliance&#146;s bylaws provide that
indemnification shall not be made to or on behalf of any director or officer if a final
adjudication establishes that his or her acts or omissions involved intentional misconduct, fraud,
or a knowing violation of the law and were material to the cause of action.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Western Alliance has entered into indemnification agreements with certain of its directors and
executive officers in addition to indemnification provided for in its bylaws. Western Alliance
maintains, on behalf of its directors and officers, insurance protection against certain
liabilities arising out of the discharge of their duties, as well as insurance covering Western
Alliance for indemnification payments made to its directors and officers for certain liabilities.
The premiums for such insurance are paid by Western Alliance.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Item&nbsp;7. Exemption from Registration Claimed.</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not applicable.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Item&nbsp;8. Exhibits.</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The exhibits to this Form S-8 are listed on the exhibit index, which appears elsewhere herein
and is incorporated herein by reference.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Item&nbsp;9. Undertakings.</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt">(a)&nbsp;The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
</DIV>


<DIV style="margin-top: 6pt">
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">

<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="3%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%" nowrap align="left">(1)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a
post-effective amendment to this registration statement:</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV style="margin-top: 6pt">
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">

<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="6%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%" nowrap align="left">(i)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>To include any prospectus required by section 10(a)(3) of the
Securities Act;</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="6%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%" nowrap align="left">(ii)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after
the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent
post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate,
represent a fundamental change in the</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>
</DIV>
<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;
</DIV>

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<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">


<DIV style="margin-top: 6pt"><TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">
<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #textcolor#; background: #bgcolor#">
    <TD width="6%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%" nowrap align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the
total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was
registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated
maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with
the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in
volume and price represent no more than 20% change in the maximum aggregate
offering price set forth in the &#147;Calculation of Registration Fee&#148; table in
the effective registration statement.<BR></TD>
</TR>
<tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="6%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%" nowrap align="left">(iii)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>To include any material information with respect to the plan
of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any
material change to such information in the registration statement;</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>
</DIV>
<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt"><I>provided, however, </I>that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do not apply if the registration
statement is on Form S-3, Form S-8 or Form F-3, and the information required to be included in a
post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed with or
furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to section 13 or section 15(d) of the
Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement.
</DIV>


<DIV style="margin-top: 6pt">
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">

<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="3%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%" nowrap align="left">(2)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act,
each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that
time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="3%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%" nowrap align="left">(3)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the
securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="margin-left: 0%; text-indent: 0%; margin-right: 0%; font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">(b)&nbsp;The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability
under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant&#146;s annual report pursuant to
section 13(a) or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable,
each filing of an employee benefit plan&#146;s annual report pursuant to section 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration
statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities
offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the
initial bona fide offering thereof.</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="margin-left: 0%; text-indent: 0%; margin-right: 0%; font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">(c)&nbsp;Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted
to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing
provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the
Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed
in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for
indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses
incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the
successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or
controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will,
unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent,
submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it
is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final
adjudication of such issue.</DIV>


<DIV style="margin-top: 6pt">
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">


</TABLE>
</DIV>
<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;
</DIV>

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<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always">&nbsp;</H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">


<DIV style="margin-top: 6pt"><TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">



</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>SIGNATURES</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<I>The Registrant. </I>Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the registrant certifies
that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form
S-8 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized, in the city of Las Vegas, state of Nevada, on this 29<SUP style="font-size: 85%; vertical-align: text-top">th</SUP> day
of July, 2005.
</DIV>

<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="font-size: 10pt">
<TR>
    <TD width="48%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="35%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="15%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD valign="top" align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="3" align="left">WESTERN ALLIANCE BANCORPORATION<BR>
&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">By:&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000" align="left">/s/ Robert Sarver
&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" align="left">Robert Sarver&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" align="left">Chairman, President and Chief Executive
Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD colspan="5">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>POWER OF ATTORNEY</B>
</DIV>



<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;KNOW ALL BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and
appoints Robert Sarver and Dale Gibbons and each of them, his or her true and lawful
attorney-in-fact and agent, with power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in
his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any amendments to this
registration statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits and other documents in connection
therewith, with the Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them,
full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to
be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could
do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of
them, or their, his or her substitutes or substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue
hereof.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this registration statement has been
signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated on this 29<SUP style="font-size: 85%; vertical-align: text-top">th</SUP> day of July,
2005:
</DIV>
<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="40%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="40%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Signature</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Title</B></TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;
</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:15px; text-indent:-15px">/s/ Robert Sarver
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Robert Sarver</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">
Chairman of the Board, President and Chief<BR>
Executive Officer<BR>
(Principal Executive Officer)</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top">/s/ Dale Gibbons
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Dale Gibbons</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">
Executive Vice President and<BR>
Chief Financial Officer<BR>
(Principal Financial Officer)</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top">/s/ Terry A. Shirey
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Terry A. Shirey</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">
Vice President and Controller<BR>

(Principal Accounting Officer)</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;
</DIV>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always">&nbsp;</H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="40%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="40%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Signature</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Title</B></TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top">/s/ Paul Baker
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Paul Baker</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">
Director</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top">/s/ Bruce Beach
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Bruce Beach</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">
Director</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top">/s/ William S. Boyd
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
William S. Boyd</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">
Director</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top">/s/ Steve Hilton
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Steve Hilton</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">
Director</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top">/s/ Marianne Boyd Johnson
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Marianne Boyd Johnson</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">
Director</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top">/s/ Cary Mack
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Cary Mack</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">
Director</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top">/s/ Arthur Marshall
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Arthur Marshall</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">
Director</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top">/s/ Todd Marshall
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Todd Marshall</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">
Director</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top">/s/ M. Nafees Nagy
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
M. Nafees Nagy, M.D.</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">
Director</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top">/s/ James Nave
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
James Nave, D.V.M.</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">
Director</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top">/s/ Edward Nigro
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Edward Nigro</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">
Director</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top">/s/ Donald Snyder
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Donald Snyder</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">
Director</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top">/s/ Larry Woodrum
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Larry Woodrum</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">
Director</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;
</DIV>

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<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always">&nbsp;</H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>EXHIBIT INDEX</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="7%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="90%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left"><B>Exhibit</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>No.</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Exhibit</B></TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Specimen common stock certificate of Western Alliance (incorporated
by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;4.1 of Western Alliance&#146;s registration
statement on Form&nbsp;S-1 (File No.&nbsp;333-124406), as amended).</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">5.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Opinion of Hogan &#038; Hartson L.L.P. regarding the validity of the
common stock registered hereby.</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">10.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Western Alliance Bancorporation 2005 Stock Incentive Plan
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;10.1 to the registrant&#146;s
Registration Statement on Form&nbsp;S-1 (File No.&nbsp;333-124406), as amended.</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of McGladrey &#038; Pullen, LLP.</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.2
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of Hogan &#038; Hartson L.L.P. (included in Exhibit&nbsp;5.1).</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">24.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Power of Attorney (included on signature page hereto).</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;
</DIV>

</BODY>
</HTML>
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{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "WESTERN ALLIANCE BANCORPORATION", "cik": "0001212545", "assigned-sic": "6022", "irs-number": "000000000"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "S-8", "act": "33", "file-number": "333-127032", "film-number": "05984859"}, "business-address": {"street1": "2700 WEST SAHARA AVENUE", "city": "LAS VEGAS", "state": "NV", "zip": "89102", "phone": "7022484200"}}
sv8
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 29, 2005
Registration No. 333-___
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
WESTERN ALLIANCE BANCORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Nevada
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
88-0365922
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
2700 West Sahara Avenue, Las Vegas, NV
(Address of registrant's principal executive offices)
89102
(Zip Code)
Western Alliance Bancorporation 2005 Stock Incentive Plan
(Full title of the Plan)
Robert Sarver
President, Chief Executive Officer
Western Alliance Bancorporation
2700 West Sahara Avenue
Las Vegas, NV 89102
(Name and address of agent for service)
(702) 248-4200
(Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
Copy to:
Stuart G. Stein, Esq.
Hogan & Hartson L.L.P.
555 Thirteenth Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20004-1109
(202) 637-8575
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
Amount
Proposed maximum
Proposed maximum
Amount of
Title of securities
to be
offering price
aggregate offering
registration
to be registered
Registered
per share (1)(2)
price (1)
fee (1)
Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share
3,172,394
$27.32
$86,669,804
$10,201.04
(1)
Estimated pursuant to Rule 457(h) under the Securities Act of 1933 solely for purposes of
calculating the amount of registration fee, based on the average of the high and low prices of
Western Alliance Bancorporation's common stock reported on the New York Stock Exchange on July
22, 2005.
(2)
In accordance with the terms of the Western Alliance Bancorporation 2005 Stock Incentive
Plan, the actual offering price of each share shall be 100% of the "Fair Market Value" of a
share of Common Stock on the date on which an option is granted.
PART I
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS
The documents containing the information specified in Part I will be sent or given to
employees participating in the Western Alliance Bancorporation 2005 Stock Incentive Plan (the
"Plan"), as specified by Rule 428(b)(1) promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
(the "Securities Act"). In accordance with the instructions to Part I of Form S-8, such documents
will not be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") either as part of
this registration statement or as prospectuses or prospectus supplements pursuant to Rule 424
promulgated under the Securities Act. These documents and the documents incorporated by reference
pursuant to Item 3 of Part II of this registration statement, taken together, constitute the
prospectus as required by Section 10(a) of the Securities Act.
PART II
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Item 3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.
We hereby incorporate by reference into this registration statement the following documents
filed with the Commission:
(1)
Our prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act in
connection with our Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-124406);
(2)
The description of our Common Stock contained in our Registration Statement on
Form 8-A, filed under Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
(the "Exchange Act"), and all amendments or reports filed for the purpose of updating
such description.
In addition, all documents and reports subsequently filed by us pursuant to Sections 13(a),
13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act, prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which
indicates that all securities offered have been sold or which deregisters all securities remaining
unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this registration statement and to be
part hereof from the date of filing of such documents or reports. Any statement contained in a
document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be
modified or superseded for purposes of this registration statement to the extent that a statement
contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be
incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement so
modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a
part of this registration statement.
Item 4. Description of Securities.
Not applicable. Our Common Stock is registered with the Commission under Section 12 of the
Exchange Act.
Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.
Not applicable.
Item 6. Indemnification of Officers and Directors.
Article V of Western Alliance's amended and restated articles of incorporation provides that,
to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law as then in effect, no director or officer shall
be personally liable to the company or any stockholder for damages for breach of fiduciary duty as
a director or officer, except for (i) acts or omissions which involve intentional misconduct,
fraud, or a knowing violation of law or (ii) the payment of dividends in violation of Nevada
Revised Statutes § 78.300.
Article IV of Western Alliance's amended and restated bylaws provides for indemnification of
our directors, officers, employees and other agents and advancement of expenses. As permitted by
the Nevada Revised Statutes, Western Alliance's bylaws provide that the company will indemnify a
director or officer if the individual acted in good faith in a manner which he reasonably believed
to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal
action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. The Nevada
Revised Statutes do not permit indemnification as to any claim, issue or matter as to which such
person has been adjudged by a court of competent jurisdiction to be liable to the corporation, or
for amounts paid in settlement to the corporation, unless and only to the extent that the court in
which the action or suit was brought determines upon application that in view of all of the
circumstance of the case, the person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such
expenses as the court deems proper. In addition, Western Alliance's bylaws provide that
indemnification shall not be made to or on behalf of any director or officer if a final
adjudication establishes that his or her acts or omissions involved intentional misconduct, fraud,
or a knowing violation of the law and were material to the cause of action.
Western Alliance has entered into indemnification agreements with certain of its directors and
executive officers in addition to indemnification provided for in its bylaws. Western Alliance
maintains, on behalf of its directors and officers, insurance protection against certain
liabilities arising out of the discharge of their duties, as well as insurance covering Western
Alliance for indemnification payments made to its directors and officers for certain liabilities.
The premiums for such insurance are paid by Western Alliance.
Item 7. Exemption from Registration Claimed.
Not applicable.
Item 8. Exhibits.
The exhibits to this Form S-8 are listed on the exhibit index, which appears elsewhere herein
and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 9. Undertakings.
(a) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
(1)
To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a
post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
(i)
To include any prospectus required by section 10(a)(3) of the
Securities Act;
(ii)
To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after
the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent
post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate,
represent a fundamental change in the
information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the
total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was
registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated
maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with
the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in
volume and price represent no more than 20% change in the maximum aggregate
offering price set forth in the "Calculation of Registration Fee" table in
the effective registration statement.
(iii)
To include any material information with respect to the plan
of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any
material change to such information in the registration statement;
provided, however,
that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do not apply if the registration
statement is on Form S-3, Form S-8 or Form F-3, and the information required to be included in a
post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed with or
furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to section 13 or section 15(d) of the
Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement.
(2)
That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act,
each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that
time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(3)
To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the
securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
(b) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability
under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant's annual report pursuant to
section 13(a) or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable,
each filing of an employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to section 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration
statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities
offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the
initial bona fide offering thereof.
(c) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted
to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing
provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the
Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed
in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for
indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses
incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the
successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or
controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will,
unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent,
submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it
is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final
adjudication of such issue.
SIGNATURES
The Registrant.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the registrant certifies
that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form
S-8 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized, in the city of Las Vegas, state of Nevada, on this 29
th
day
of July, 2005.
WESTERN ALLIANCE BANCORPORATION
By:
/s/ Robert Sarver
Robert Sarver
Chairman, President and Chief Executive
Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and
appoints Robert Sarver and Dale Gibbons and each of them, his or her true and lawful
attorney-in-fact and agent, with power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in
his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any amendments to this
registration statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits and other documents in connection
therewith, with the Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them,
full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to
be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could
do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of
them, or their, his or her substitutes or substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue
hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this registration statement has been
signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated on this 29
th
day of July,
2005:
Signature
Title
/s/ Robert Sarver
Robert Sarver
Chairman of the Board, President and Chief
Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
/s/ Dale Gibbons
Dale Gibbons
Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
/s/ Terry A. Shirey
Terry A. Shirey
Vice President and Controller
(Principal Accounting Officer)
Signature
Title
/s/ Paul Baker
Paul Baker
Director
/s/ Bruce Beach
Bruce Beach
Director
/s/ William S. Boyd
William S. Boyd
Director
/s/ Steve Hilton
Steve Hilton
Director
/s/ Marianne Boyd Johnson
Marianne Boyd Johnson
Director
/s/ Cary Mack
Cary Mack
Director
/s/ Arthur Marshall
Arthur Marshall
Director
/s/ Todd Marshall
Todd Marshall
Director
/s/ M. Nafees Nagy
M. Nafees Nagy, M.D.
Director
/s/ James Nave
James Nave, D.V.M.
Director
/s/ Edward Nigro
Edward Nigro
Director
/s/ Donald Snyder
Donald Snyder
Director
/s/ Larry Woodrum
Larry Woodrum
Director
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit
No.
Exhibit
4.1
Specimen common stock certificate of Western Alliance (incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of Western Alliance's registration
statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-124406), as amended).
5.1
Opinion of Hogan & Hartson L.L.P. regarding the validity of the
common stock registered hereby.
10.1
Western Alliance Bancorporation 2005 Stock Incentive Plan
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the registrant's
Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-124406), as amended.
23.1
Consent of McGladrey & Pullen, LLP.
23.2
Consent of Hogan & Hartson L.L.P. (included in Exhibit 5.1).
24.1
Power of Attorney (included on signature page hereto).