IRVINE, CA--(Marketwire - May 2, 2012) - Plaza Bank (OTCBB: [ PLZB ]) (the "Bank") reported unaudited net income for the quarter ended March 31, 2012 of $293,000 or $0.02 per share on a diluted basis, an increase from the first quarter of 2011 of $222,000 or $0.01 per share on a diluted basis.

Gene Galloway, President and Chief Executive Officer of Plaza Bank, commented, "During the first quarter of 2012 we had a very successful deposit marketing campaign that raised forty-five million dollars in new deposits. The deposits will be used to fund our expected loan growth in the second and third quarters."

Highlights for 2012's first quarter included:

• Noninterest-bearing demand deposits grew to $43.5 million, a $7.5 million increase compared to December 31, 2011 ending balance of $36.0 million.
• Interest-bearing transaction accounts increased 27.5% to $121.4 million, compared to the prior quarter's balance of $95.2 million.
• Deposits totaled $309.3 million at March 31, 2012, up $46.0 million or 17.4% from December 31, 2011.
• Net interest income for 2012's first quarter was $3.4 million, an increase of $593,000, or 21.0%, over the prior year's first quarter of $2.8 million.
• Noninterest income totaled $817,000 in the first quarter of 2012, a decrease of $60,000 from the prior year's first quarter.
• Loan sales totaled $8.5 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2012 which generated $465,000 in gain on sales. Last year's first quarter loan sales totaled $6.7 million which generated $405,000 in gains.
• Loan volume for the first quarters of 2012 and 2011 were $29.9 million and $30.0 million, respectively.

"Our ongoing growth and success is reflective of how well our customers' businesses are performing as well as the steady influx of new clients to the Bank," stated Erich Bollinger, Chief Banking Officer for Plaza Bank.

"Small businesses are the backbone of the economy and we want to do everything we can to build up small companies that provide the overwhelming majority of jobs in America. Local communities in Southern California and Las Vegas understand the significance of backing a community business bank and we appreciate them for it," added Galloway.

About Plaza Bank
Plaza Bank is full service community bank serving the business and professional communities in Southern California and Las Vegas, Nevada. The Bank is committed to meeting the financial needs of small to middle market businesses and professional firms with loans for working capital, equipment and owner-occupied commercial real estate financing and a full array of cash management services. Our bankers are experienced, professional and knowledgeable. For more information, visit [ www.plazabank.net ] or call President and CEO Gene Galloway at (949) 502-4309.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain matters discussed in this press release constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and are subject to the safe harbors created by that Act. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. They often include the words "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "estimate," or words of similar meaning, or future or conditional verbs such as "will," "would," "should," "could," or "may." Forward-looking statements are based on currently available information, expectations, assumptions, projections, and management's judgment about the Bank, the banking industry and general economic conditions. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, nor should they be relied upon as representing management's views as of any subsequent date. Future events are difficult to predict, and the expectations described above are necessarily subject to risk and uncertainty that may cause actual results to differ materially and adversely.

Forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties and actual results may differ materially from those presented, either expressed or implied, in this press release. Factors that might cause such differences include, but are not limited to: the Bank's ability to successfully execute its business plans and achieve its objectives; changes in general economic, real estate and financial market conditions, either nationally or locally in areas in which the Bank conducts its operations; changes in interest rates; new litigation or changes in existing litigation; future credit loss experience; increased competitive challenges and expanding product and pricing pressures among financial institutions; legislation or regulatory changes which adversely affect the Bank's operations or business; loss of key personnel; changes in accounting policies or procedures as may be required by the Financial Accounting Standards Board or other regulatory agencies; and the ability to satisfy requirements related to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and other regulation on internal control.