UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): October 1, 2010

WESTERN ALLIANCE BANCORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Nevada		001-32550		88-0365922
(State or other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)		(Commission File Number)		(IRS Employer Identification No.)

2700 West Sahara Avenue, Las Vegas, Nevada		89102
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)		(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (702) 248-4200

(Former name or former address if changed since last report.)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

o		Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

o		Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

o		Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

o		Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

 

Item 5.02(d)		Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

     On October 1, 2010, the Board of Directors of Western Alliance Bancorporation (the “Company”) voted to (i) increase the number of directors constituting the Board of Directors of the Company from 12 to 13 and (ii) appoint Dr. Sung Won Sohn to the Company’s Board of Directors as a Class III Director effective immediately, to serve until the Company’s 2011 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Dr. Sohn does not currently serve on any committees of the Board, but is expected to be appointed to its Audit Committee and Finance and Investment Committee at the next regular Board meeting. There are no arrangements or understandings between Dr. Sohn and any other persons pursuant to which he was selected as a director.

     In connection with his appointment, Dr. Sohn will receive compensation in accordance with the Company’s standard compensation arrangements for non-employee directors, which are summarized in the Company’s Definitive Proxy Statement as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on March 19, 2010.

     There have been no transactions involving Dr. Sohn that would require disclosure under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K.

     A copy of the press release announcing the appointment of Dr. Sohn is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 9.01		Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d)

Exhibits.

Exhibit No.				Description
	99.1			Press Release, dated October 1, 2010.

SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit No.				Description
	99.1			Press Release, dated October 1, 2010.