Plaza Bank Ranked Among S&P Global Market Intelligence's Top 100 Community Banks -- Again

IRVINE, CA--(Marketwired - Apr 15, 2016) -  Plaza Bank (OTCBB: PLZZ) (the "Bank") is proud to announce it has been named one of the 100 Top-Performing Community Banks for 2015 by S&P Global Market Intelligence (formerly S&P Capital IQ and SNL Financial). Plaza Bank now ranks #29 in 2015 of the top 100 banks, out of the total 492 banks with assets between $1 billion to $10 billion.

"This ranking is a tribute to all Plaza Bank staff and the jobs they perform. For the second consecutive year, the Bank has demonstrated remarkable overall results, underscored by our performance across the key ranking metrics," said Gene Galloway, President and CEO at Plaza Bank. "Improving twelve spots in a single year is no small feat, reflecting the dedication of our professionals and their commitment to client success, one relationship at a time. We are honored to be included among the nation's top-performing community banks and look forward to our continued growth in 2016."

Below is Plaza Bank's specific performance against S&P Global Market Intelligence's criteria:

• Total Assets: $1.04 Billion
• Return of Average Total Assets: 1.31%
• Net Charge Offs Divided by Total Loans: .04%
• Efficiency Ratio: 75.28%
• Adjusted Texas Ratio: .97%
• Net Interest Margin: 5.34%
• Loan Growth Rate: 83%

Plaza Bank outperformed in all categories, with the exception of Efficiency Ratio, which was impacted by one-time expenses related to the Bank's recent merger with Bank of Manhattan. "Our ability to improve our performance while merging two large organizations this past year is further testament to our team's focus on service and excellence," Galloway said. "We are well positioned to keep growing our business, exceeding client expectations, and maintaining our high standards as a top-tier community bank."

SNL Criteria
The list compares banks with assets between $1 billion and $10 billion and 60 or fewer offices. In addition, at least one-third of the bank's balance sheet must be composed of loans with less than half of those loans attributable to credit card lending.

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. Visit www.plazabank.com for more information and to find a banking center near you.

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.