WESTLAKE VILLAGE, CA--(Marketwire - Mar 16, 2012) - First California Financial Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: [ FCAL ]), the holding company of First California Bank, today announced that the bank's Electronic Payment Services (EPS) division hosted its eighth annual Electronic Payment Services Client Conference on Thursday and Friday, March 8 and 9, 2012 in Rancho Mirage, California.

The conference was attended by more than 70 guests and included a legal panel discussion with attorneys Carol VanCleef of Patton Boggs LLP and Duncan Douglas of Alston & Bird LLP; a networks panel discussion with Chris Granger of Visa and Carrie Haley and John Scariot of MasterCard; as well as a presentation by Brenton Gee of the United States Secret Service. Opening remarks were made by First California Bank's EPS division president, Jim Tingey, and senior executive vice president - chief operating officer and chief financial officer, Ron Santarosa.

"As a leading bank in the electronic payment services (EPS) space, we feel strongly about being a valued resource to our clients, by continuing to help them remain up to date on the industry and regulatory landscape," said Jim Tingey. "The conference was well attended and provided our guests with important information, especially in the areas of legal, security, safety and the ethical delivery of EPS products and services."

About First California
First California Financial Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: [ FCAL ]) is the holding company of First California Bank. 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 ].