Plaza Bank Adds More 'Core Strength' With Accomplished Banking Exec

IRVINE, CA--(Marketwired - Oct 8, 2013) - Plaza Bank (OTCBB: PLZB) continued to strengthen the operations of its respected banking team with the hiring of highly-regarded banking veteran Michael Vantrease as Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer.

"I've known Michael for more than two decades, and he's as good as it gets at sharpening the operation of a bank like ours that is focused on small and mid-sized businesses," said Gene Galloway, President and CEO of the Irvine-based Plaza Bank. "His internal expertise will give us even more core strength to help us reach out to our customers."

Mr. Vantrease has more than three decades of experience with banks of all sizes, most recently as a senior vice president at Bank of the West. He has a reputation in the industry for strong leadership and team building, and says he has learned how much every part of a bank's operations can affect customers and the service they get.

"I've seen this play out for years," Mr. Vantrease said. "What we do is all about people. It's about serving our clients, and we know our service is closely connected to the experience our employees have. If our own people feel energized and good about what they do, they'll make customers feel that way, too."

Mr. Vantrease said he's long been impressed with Plaza Bank's service, attention to detail, and its overall approach to community banking.

"What people want from a bank is to be treated fairly and honestly, and for their bankers to become genuinely trusted advisors," he said. "Lots of people talk about that in the industry, but that is completely true here. We have the opportunity to engage our customers at a more intimate level. It is not unheard of for our president to go out on call to help take care of a client. Because of our size, every client is precious."

Mr. Vantrease lives in Laguna Niguel. Among his community activities, he's on the board of directors for Junior Achievement Orange County.

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

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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.