IRVINE, CA--(Marketwire - Feb 21, 2013) - Plaza Bank (OTCQB: [ PLZB ]) (the "Bank") today reported unaudited net income for the fourth quarter of 2012 of $587,000, compared with net income of $443,000 in the fourth quarter of 2011. Earnings per share were $0.03, flat compared to the fourth quarter of 2011. Net interest income for the quarter was $4.3 million, up 26% compared with the prior year.

Net income for the full-year of 2012 was $2.4 million, compared with $1.7 million for the prior year. Earnings per share were $0.14 for 2012, compared with $0.10 for 2011. Net interest income for 2012 was $15.3 million, an increase of 23%, or $2.9 million, compared with 2011.

Gene Galloway, President and Chief Executive Officer of Plaza Bank, commenting on the growth of the Bank in 2012, stated, "Total assets and net loans increased by 27% and 23%, respectively, in 2012. The growth in net loans along with our loan sales were the primary drivers of our 39% increase in net profit for 2012. Helping to fund our loan growth was the 31% increase in deposits at our Las Vegas branch."

Erich Bollinger, the Bank's Chief Banking Officer, added, "Not only did we see tremendous growth in deposits in Las Vegas; we also saw an increase in the origination of loans from this market. The quality and quantity of the commercial loan applications and the strength of the borrowers that are being presented to us are much stronger than at any time in the last three years. Hopefully, this is a sign that the Las Vegas market has bottomed out and now we are in a recovery period."

Highlights for the full year of 2012 included:

• Loans originated and funded for 2012 totaled $172.0 million.
• Loan sales totaled $47.8 million and generated gains on sale of $3.2 million.
• Net loans increased by $62.4 million in the year to $331.0 million from $268.7 million.
• The Bank's net interest margin for the year was 4.21%, an increase of 12 basis points over the prior year.
• Deposits grew by $89.3 million, or 34%, to $352.7 million during 2012.
• Non-accrual loans decreased from $16.5 million at the end of 2011 to $7.2 million, or 2.16% of total loans, at the end of 2012.

Highlights for the fourth quarter included:

• Loans originated and funded in the fourth quarter totaled $51.5 million.
• Loans outstanding, net of allowance for loan losses, totaled $331.0 million at the end of the quarter, an increase of $25.0 million, or 33% annualized, over the prior quarter balance.
• The Bank's net interest margin increased quarter over quarter from 4.27% for the third quarter of 2012 to 4.34% for the fourth quarter of 2012.

About Plaza Bank
Plaza Bank is a 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.