LOS ANGELES, CA--(Marketwire - Feb 23, 2012) - 1st Enterprise Bank ("the Bank") (OTCBB: [ FENB ]), a full-service commercial bank serving the Southern California business community, is very pleased to report that it has recently received a "5 Star - Superior" rating from the well respected bank rating agency, Bauer Financial ([ www.bauerfinancial.com ]). "This is the highest rating level awarded by Bauer Financial, and we are extremely honored to have been recognized by them as a Superior performing independent business bank," said John Black, CEO. "This rating level puts 1^st Enterprise Bank in the top quartile of all banks headquartered in California and rated by Bauer Financial."

"It is very gratifying to be recognized by such a well known rating agency for our consistent growth trends, profitability levels, asset quality and capital levels. We take this as further endorsement of our business model, consistent dedication to serving the needs of the entrepreneurial Southern California business market and the quality of our staff at all levels of the organization," said Black.

About 1st Enterprise Bank
Founded in 2006, 1st Enterprise Bank is a full service commercial banking institution, whose highly experienced bankers personally serve Southern California entrepreneurial businesses, professional firms and nonprofit organizations, along with their owners and key managers. Headquartered in the Los Angeles financial district, with full service regional banking offices in Irvine and Ontario, 1st Enterprise Bank offers a full range of credit and depository services, with special emphasis on superior customer service, sophisticated cash management services and direct access to bank decision makers. Customers work directly with a dedicated Relationship Manager, a seasoned professional who understands their unique challenges serving as a sounding board and an active participant in their client's success. For more information on 1st Enterprise Bank, please visit [ www.1stenterprisebank.com ].

Forward-Looking Statement:
This news release contains statements that are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about 1st Enterprise Bank's business based, in part, on assumptions made by management. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in such forward-looking statements due to numerous factors, including those described above and the following: 1st Enterprise Bank's timely implementation of new products and services, technological changes, changes in consumer spending and savings habits and other risks discussed from time to time in 1st Enterprise Bank's reports and filings with banking regulatory agencies. In addition, such statements could be affected by general industry and market conditions and growth rates, and general domestic and international economic conditions. Such forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and 1st Enterprise Bank does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release.