WESTLAKE VILLAGE, CA--(Marketwire - Oct 6, 2011) - In an expansion of its senior management team, First California Bank, a wholly-owned subsidiary of First California Financial Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: [ FCAL ]), today announced the addition of two new Senior Vice Presidents and Regional Managers -- John Harris for the South Bay and Michael Kee for San Luis Obispo.

"The addition of John and Michael deepens our already talented team of veteran bankers and demonstrates our commitment to strengthening and enhancing our presence in two important California markets," said Gilbert Dalmau, First California Bank's recently appointed Executive Vice President and Chief Banking Officer.

"John brings more than 20 years of commercial banking management experience and has been highly successful in prior leadership roles throughout his career. His deep knowledge of the commercial and corporate lending landscape in Southern California, combined with recent experience starting up and building the business banking division for a local California bank, makes him an ideal leader for our business banking operations in the South Bay."

"Michael is a well-rounded professional banker, with nearly 40 years of experience in the banking industry. He is skilled at managing and directing all loan activities, as well as business development. Michael has deep roots in San Luis Obispo and surrounding markets, and has been actively involved in numerous non-profit, charitable and community organizations," said Dalmau.

Harris most recently served as Senior Vice President and Manager of the Business Banking Division for California Republic Bank. Previously, he was Senior Vice President/Regional Manager for the Long Beach Commercial Banking Group of First Bank, a subsidiary of First Banks, Inc. of Missouri. Harris has also held senior level positions with other Southern California based banks including Imperial Bank and MetroBank. Harris earned a bachelor's degree in philosophy from the University of California at Santa Barbara.

Prior to joining First California Bank, Kee served as Senior Vice President and Senior Lending Officer for Founders Community Bank in San Luis Obispo. Previously, he held a number of senior level positions with Mid-State Bank & Trust in retail and business banking. Kee also has held executive level positions at Hacienda Bank in Santa Maria, including the position of President and CEO. Kee earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from California Baptist University in Riverside and is a graduate of Pacific Coast Banking School in Seattle, Washington.

About First California Bank
First California Bank is a wholly-owned subsidiary of First California Financial Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: [ FCAL ]). Founded in 1979 and with nearly $2 billion in assets, First California serves the comprehensive financial needs of small- and middle-sized businesses and high net worth individuals throughout Southern California. Led by an experienced team of bankers, First California is committed to providing the best client service available in its markets, offering a full line of quality commercial banking products through 19 full-service branch offices in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Luis Obispo and Ventura counties. The holding company's website can be accessed at [ www.fcalgroup.com ]. For additional information on First California Bank's products and services, visit [ www.fcbank.com ].