Plaza Bank Hires Kathy Gonzales as Director of Branch Banking

IRVINE, CA--(Marketwired - Aug 5, 2015) - Plaza Bank (OTCBB: PLZB) (the "Bank") is pleased to announce the hiring of Kathy Gonzales as Senior Vice President and Director of Branch Banking. This is a new role that will accelerate expansion of Plaza Bank's branch network and enhance service to small businesses throughout Southern California and Southern Nevada.

"Kathy is an exceptional addition to Plaza Bank's leadership team and will help further strengthen our position as a premier community bank," said Gene Galloway, President and CEO of the Bank. "She will play a key role in driving the growth and success of our branch network as we continue to grow and serve both new and existing clients."

Specifically, Ms. Gonzales is responsible for the branch "client experience" and will lead strategic initiatives that enhance Plaza Bank's ability to provide exceptional service and increase branch revenue. She oversees Plaza Bank's initial two branches -- Irvine and Las Vegas -- as well as five additional branches gained through the Bank's recent merger with Bank of Manhattan.

Ms. Gonzales brings a wealth of branch and business development experience gained throughout her 35-year banking career. Most recently, she served as Chief Banking Officer for Farmers & Merchants Bank, where she was responsible for retail and sales strategies working with all 23 of the company's branches. Prior to that, she was Senior Vice President of Retail Banking at Provident Bank, Consumer Market Executive with Bank of America, and Community Banking and President/CEO of the Arrowhead Credit Union.

Ms. Gonzales also previously worked alongside Galloway at Sanwa Bank, as Regional Sales and Production Manager in Southern California.

"I am excited to join Plaza Bank at a time of such growth and opportunity," Ms. Gonzales said. "I look forward to working with the Bank's outstanding leadership and entire organization in delivering exceptional, highly personalized banking services across our expanding branch network."

Ms. Gonzales completed a master's degree program in bank finance through Pacific Coast Banking School (PCBS) at the University of Washington, following her education at Mt. Saint Mary's College in Los Angeles. She has received numerous awards and recognition throughout her career for sales, profitability and customer retention.

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.com or call President and CEO Gene Galloway at (949) 502-4309 or (702) 277-2221.

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 claims or changes in existing litigation or claims; 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.