Romero and Hossler Enhance Business Services at Plaza Bank

IRVINE, CA--(Marketwire - Apr 16, 2012) - Plaza Bank (OTCBB: PLZB), headquartered in Irvine, California, announced two recent hires today, expanding its commitment to small and midsized businesses throughout its markets.

"It was necessary to expand our team to keep up with our continued increase in lending to small businesses particularly with SBA loans, owner-occupied real estate loans, asset based loans and business lines of credit," stated Gene Galloway, President and CEO of Plaza Bank.

Armando Romero has joined Plaza Bank as the Vice President/Business Development Officer, Asset Based Lending. He will be responsible for originating and structuring Asset Based Loans and Lines of Credit. These loans and lines of credit include promoting the California Capital Access Program (CalCAP) and the SBA's Capline, specifically to manufacturers, distributors, and service companies in Orange and Los Angeles counties and throughout the Inland Empire.

"Unfortunately, most business owners are not aware that the CalCAP program has been available for over a decade. Many CPAs and other core business advisors are not familiar with this valuable tool and access to capital through the CalCAP and Capline programs. It is my goal to market and promote these under-utilized programs," stated Mr. Romero.

He continued, "Plaza Bank has a successful track record of assisting business owners with much needed working capital through these programs. I believe Plaza Bank will continue to take the lead as an asset based lender using these credit enhancement programs." Mr. Romero will be representing Plaza Bank at many community and networking functions to provide both education and support to the region's businesses.

Mr. Romero has over 25 years of commercial banking experience. Prior to coming to Plaza Bank, he ran a consulting business focusing on the provision of business advisory services to small and medium business owners, including placing them within the CalCAP program.

In addition, he has served as a business advisor through the Small Business Development Center, providing assistance in packaging SBA, CalCAP, CEDLI, and California State program applications. He has extensive experience in evaluating the working capital needs of a business and finding solutions for small and medium businesses owners.

Mr. Romero is currently on the advisory board of the Salvation Army - Transitional Living Center in Santa Fe Springs, California. Mr. Romero is based in the Irvine office and can be reached via e-mail at ARomero@plazabank.net or by phone at (626) 377-1702.

JB Hossler has joined Plaza Bank as the Senior Vice President, Southern Nevada Market Manager. In this role, he is responsible for expanding the bank's market presence and brand recognition throughout Southern Nevada. His primary focus will be to provide tailored solutions for small and middle market businesses and professionals throughout this market.

"I believe a bank's role in the community should be to help people achieve their goals," notes Mr. Hossler. "We do that by acting as trusted advisors to our clients, bringing our experience across many industries, and industry specific expertise, to bear when discussing our clients' goals with them. My goal is to make Plaza Bank a recognized force in making Southern Nevada a better, more prosperous community by helping folks meet their financial goals."

Mr. Hossler joins a team of commercial banking professionals in the Southern Nevada market that has more than 60 years of combined experience, and they are very familiar with the market-specific dynamics impacting their clients on a daily basis. Plaza Bank's business model provides agility to be responsive to its clients' needs in the Southern Nevada market. In addition to its commercial bankers, Plaza Bank offers SBA products through its award-winning Small Business Unit. It also offers specific programs for professional businesses, such as its Health Pro product -- a streamlined line of credit for medical professionals.

Mr. Hossler has 15 years experience in the commercial and industrial banking arena, with specific familiarity with professional and service firms, manufacturers, and renewable energy firms. He has worked on both the credit and marketing sides of banking, allowing him to provide immediate recommendations to clients regarding loan structures and planning for future business goals. His experience is balanced between "Top 10" banks, including formal credit training from a money center bank, and several years spent in community banks.

"JB brings a great combination of enthusiasm, relationship management and credit experience to the Bank," stated Erich Bollinger, Executive Vice President and Chief Banking Officer for Plaza Bank.

Prior to joining Plaza Bank, Mr. Hossler worked for a larger community bank. Mr. Hossler received his Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Bluffton University.

He remains active in the community through involvement with United Way of Southern Nevada, where he is a member of the Tocqueville Society and on the Executive Committee of the Young Philanthropists Society. Mr. Hossler is based in the Las Vegas office and can be reached via e-mail at JHossler@plazabank.net or by phone at (702) 853-4718.

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.net or call 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.