Steven Sharpe Joins C.A. Bancorp Inc.'s Board of Directors

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Dec. 12, 2011) - C.A. Bancorp Inc. ("C.A. Bancorp" or the "Company") (TSX:BKP) and the board of directors (the "Board") are pleased to announce the appointment of Steven Sharpe as a director of the Company.

Mr. Sharpe is currently Managing Director of The EmBeSa Corporation, a private consultancy dealing primarily with corporate restructuring and business strategy. Previously, Mr. Sharpe was Senior Advisor to Blair Franklin Capital Partners Inc., a Toronto-based investment bank which he co-founded, and was the Chairman and CEO of the Prime Restaurants Royalty Income Fund. From 2002 to 2007, Mr. Sharpe was co-Managing Partner of Blair Franklin. From 1998 to 2001, Mr. Sharpe held executive operating positions in both Canada and the US. A lawyer by training, Mr. Sharpe graduated from Osgoode Hall Law School in 1977, was called to the Ontario bar in 1979 and spent his legal career at the Torys firm from 1979 to 1986, and Davies, Ward & Beck from 1986 to 1998.

Currently, Mr. Sharpe is the Chairman of Advantage Oil & Gas Ltd., Longview Oil Corp. and Prime Restaurants Inc., all of which trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange. Mr. Sharpe has significant board experience in the not-for-profit and corporate spheres.

"Steven brings extensive experience as a lawyer, banker, and operating executive to the Board and has created significant value for shareholders of a number of companies that he's previously been involved with, including most recently, as Chairman of the Special Committee of Prime Restaurants Inc.," said Paul Haggis, Chairman of the Board. "We are pleased to have Steven join the Board as the Company continues to execute its Realization Strategy and maximize the value of C.A. Bancorp for the benefit of all of its shareholders."

At the Company's last annual and special meeting, the shareholders approved fixing the numbers of directors at four. Mr. Sharpe's appointment fills a vacant position. The Board is now comprised of four directors, Paul Haggis (Chair), Frank Potter, Steven Sharpe and Tim Unwin.

C.A. Bancorp Inc.

C.A. Bancorp is a publicly traded Canadian merchant bank and alternative asset manager that provides investors with access to a range of private equity and other alternative asset class investment opportunities. C.A. Bancorp has historically focused on investments in small- and middle-capitalization public and private companies, with emphasis on the industrials, real estate, infrastructure and financial services sectors. The Company is currently executing its Realization Strategy as described in its publicly filed continuous disclosure documents.

This release includes certain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "may", "will", "expect", "intend", "estimate", "anticipate", "believe", "should", "plans" or "continue" or the negative thereof or variations thereon or similar terminology. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will provide to be correct. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements. Reference should be made to the risk factors published in the Company's most recent management discussion and analysis and, with respect to the realization strategy, its directors circular, both of which are available at www.sedar.com.