Plaza Bank Hires Neal Baldon as Vice President, Senior Relationship Manager and Anthony Lopo as Vice President, Branch Manager in Pasadena


IRVINE, CA--(Marketwired - Apr 25, 2016) - Plaza Bank (OTCBB: PLZZ) (the "Bank") is pleased to announce it has hired Neal Baldon as Vice President, Senior Relationship Manager for its Pasadena Business Center. The addition of Mr. Baldon, who will focus on commercial, industrial, and SBA lending, as well as new deposit account relationships, continues Plaza Bank's rapid growth in the Pasadena and San Gabriel Valley market.

Prior to joining Plaza Bank in February 2016, Mr. Baldon was Vice President, Corporate Relationship Manager at BBVA Compass Bank, where he was responsible for business development and portfolio management within Commercial Banking. Before that, he was Vice President, Senior Client Manager at Bank of America Merrill Lynch in Pasadena, and Vice President, District Manager at CalFirst National Bancorp/Leasing Corporation in Irvine. Throughout his career, Mr. Baldon has demonstrated continuous high performance, exceeding sales and production goals and leading teams to success.

"I'm excited to join a growing, industry-leading bank dedicated to helping clients succeed, working with the exceptional Pasadena staff to understand our clients' challenges and delivering the best possible solutions," Baldon said.

Mr. Baldon earned his Bachelor's of Science from California State University, Fullerton, and has achieved various sales and management certifications from accredited programs. He has served on several organizations' Board of Directors, including the Institution of Management Accountants, and currently serves on the Board of Directors for The Unforgettables Foundation, which supports children and families in need.

Plaza Bank is also excited to announce it has hired Anthony Lopo as Vice President, Branch Manager for its Pasadena Business Center. A key addition to Plaza Bank's branch management team, Mr. Lopo will oversee all operations, sales, and staff for the rapidly growing Pasadena location.

Prior to joining Plaza Bank in March 2016, Mr. Lopo was Vice President, Business Banking Officer for Rabobank in Ontario, where he was responsible for the business development, growth, and management of a large client portfolio across the Inland Empire. Before that, he held various business banking and leadership roles for Opus Bank, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo. Throughout his career, Mr. Lopo has consistently achieved top sales performance, while successfully developing teams, implementing process efficiencies, and maintaining high client satisfaction.

"It's an honor to part of such a talented, dynamic team of banking professionals who share a vision for client service, relationships, and results. The synergy across the entire bank is second to none," Lopo said. "I look forward to supporting the Pasadena Business Center and partnering with new and existing clients to help them manage and grow their businesses, helping Plaza Bank achieve new levels of success in this important market."

Mr. Lopo is a graduate of California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, where he earned his bachelor's degree in Management and Human Resources.

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.com.

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.

Contact Information:

Media Contacts:
Gene Galloway
President and Chief Executive Officer
(702) 277-2221 or (949) 502-4309


Erich Bollinger
Executive Vice President and Chief Banking Officer
(949) 225-3704