First California Returns to Profitability in the 2009 Second Quarter

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, CA--(Marketwire - July 27, 2009) - First California Financial Group, Inc. FCAL, the holding company of First California Bank, today reported net income of $217,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2009, following a net loss in the immediately preceding first quarter primarily due to a significant build up of its allowance for loan losses.

"In addition to returning to profitable operations in the 2009 second quarter, we had a number of other important achievements that strengthen our prospects as a leading bank of choice in Southern California," said C. G. Kum, President and Chief Executive Officer. "The integration of 1st Centennial Bank into First California's operational platform was successfully and seamlessly completed during the quarter. We remain pleased with the stability of the core deposits and the quality of the acquired assets, and the benefits from this transaction are now beginning to show in our results."

2009 Second Quarter Financial Highlights:

-- The company upheld its strong capital position with the bank's total risk-based capital ratio at 11.54% and the company's total risk-based capital ratio at 12.48% as of June 30, 2009; -- Net loan charge-offs were nominal in spite of the difficult economy, totaling $430,000 for Q2 2009; -- Q2 provision for loan losses totaled $1.1 million and exceeded net charge-offs by $680,000, boosting the allowance for loan losses to 1.27% of total loans; -- Nonaccrual loans and loans past due 90 days and accruing rose to $27.3 million, reflecting the addition of the previously announced $22.5 million real estate construction loan; no charge-off was necessary; -- Loans increased to $940.2 million from $897.7 million at March 31, 2009; the increase in the second quarter includes the reclassification of $31.3 million of loans held-for-sale at March 31, 2009 to the loan portfolio at June 30, 2009; -- Total deposits of $1.10 billion at the close of Q2 2009 underscore the stability of core deposits assumed in the 1st Centennial transaction in January 2009; -- Net interest margin expanded 15 basis points to 3.75% for Q2 2009 from 3.60% for Q1 2009; -- Q2 results include the following three items: (1) a $565,000 other- than-temporary impairment of one security; (2) an FDIC special insurance assessment of $675,000; and (3) a $709,000 market loss on loans held-for- sale.

Asset Quality

Nonaccrual loans at June 30, 2009 totaled $27.0 million, compared with $8.4 million as of March 31, 2009. The change is predominantly attributed to two items previously reported. One loan with a balance of $22.5 million migrated to nonaccrual status during the current second quarter. This is the largest loan in the company's real estate construction portfolio, is a completed project and no charge-off was necessary. Secondly, the company foreclosed on a property that served as collateral for a $5.7 million nonaccrual loan and moved it to other real estate owned status. As a result, total foreclosed property at the close of the 2009 second quarter increased to $6.8 million from $1.1 million at March 31, 2009.

Nonaccrual loans and loans past due 90 days and accruing were $27.3 million as of June 30, 2009, compared with $8.4 million as of March 31, 2009. These non-performing loans, as a percentage of total loans, were 2.9% at the close of the second quarter and 0.9% at the close of the first quarter.

Conservative underwriting and proactive resolution of potential problem credits contributed to another quarter of nominal losses, with net loan charge-offs totaling $430,000 for the 2009 second quarter. The company's 2009 second quarter provision for loan losses of $1.1 million exceeded net charge-offs by $680,000. This increased the allowance for loan losses as a percentage of total loans to 1.27% at June 30, 2009 from 1.26% at March 31, 2009.

Results of Operations

Net interest income before provision for loan losses increased 15.1% to $11.9 million for the 2009 second quarter from $10.3 million in the prior-year period. The company said the increase primarily reflects the benefits from its 1st Centennial transaction effected in January 2009. The addition of $100.0 million of 1st Centennial's loans to the company's portfolio during February 2009 contributed to increased levels of interest income on loans in the 2009 second quarter. Given the stability of the $270 million in core deposits assumed in the transaction, First California was able to reduce its borrowings, which resulted in lower levels of interest expense in the 2009 second quarter versus the prior-year period.

Net interest margin for the 2009 second quarter expanded 15 basis points to 3.75% from the immediately preceding quarter, but was lower when compared with 4.17% in the prior-year period primarily due to the significant reductions in the Federal Funds Rate versus a year ago. Year-over-year asset yields were also negatively impacted by the increase in nonaccrual loans and a higher percentage of earning assets in lower-yielding federal funds sold. However, these were partially offset by the decrease in rates paid on interest-bearing liabilities as time deposits and borrowings repriced to current, lower rates. The cost of interest-bearing liabilities was 2.09% for the 2009 second quarter, compared with 2.29% for the preceding quarter and 2.74% a year ago.

In addition to higher interest income and lower interest expense, the expansion of the deposit customer base from the 1st Centennial transaction contributed to an increase in service charges on deposit accounts in the first half of 2009 compared with the first half of 2008. However, the lag between the costs of the transaction and the full deployment of the newly acquired liquid assets affected profitability levels for the 2009 three- and six-month periods. The company attributed approximately $250,000 and $723,000 of the increase in operating expenses for the second quarter and first half of the year, respectively, to integration-related matters.

The company's 2009 second quarter efficiency ratio was also adversely impacted by a number of other factors. The regular FDIC insurance assessment increased to $550,000 for the second quarter from $196,000 for the first quarter due to increased rates and higher deposit levels and there was a special insurance assessment of $675,000 for the second quarter. The company incurred $249,000 of expenses during the 2009 second quarter in connection with the foreclosure and sale of other real estate owned. During the 2009 second quarter, the company posted a market loss of $709,000 on loans held-for-sale and an impairment loss of $565,000 on one security. All of these expenses more than offset securities gains of $2.0 million during the quarter. The efficiency ratio for the current second quarter was 98.60%, compared with 87.30% for the preceding first quarter and 76.52% in the year-ago second quarter.

Net income for the 2009 second quarter was $217,000, compared with $1.3 million for the year-ago second quarter. After a dividend payment of $313,000 to the U.S. Treasury Department, the company incurred a loss per common share of $0.01. In the 2008 second quarter, earnings per diluted share equaled $0.11.

Loans at June 30, 2009 totaled $940.2 million, up 19.3% from $787.9 million at year-end 2008, largely reflecting the addition of selected 1st Centennial loans, as well as the reclassification of loans held-for-sale to the loan portfolio. Deposits as of June 30, 2009 totaled $1.09 billion, compared with $817.6 million as of December 31, 2008. The sharp increase is predominantly attributed to the addition and retention of approximately $270 million in non-brokered deposits from the 1st Centennial Bank transaction. Total assets at June 30, 2009 equaled $1.45 billion, compared with $1.18 billion at December 31, 2008.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

First California's primary source of funds continues to be core deposits. The bank also has access to alternate funding sources that are available typically at a lower cost than current market prices on time deposits. Accordingly, First California continued to utilize strategic levels of brokered deposits, FHLB borrowings and State of California time deposits during the second quarter. Given this strong liquidity position and the growth in relationship banking deposits, brokered deposits decreased to $60.3 million at June 30, 2009, compared with $98.2 million at December 31, 2008. Deposits, excluding brokered deposits and the initial impact of the 1st Centennial transaction, increased $47.1 million year-to-date. The shift in the mix of funding liabilities and the repricing of liabilities to current market rates during the quarter contributed to a reduction in the cost of interest-bearing deposits to 1.61% for the second quarter of 2009 from 1.78% for the preceding 2009 first quarter.

At June 30, 2009, First California had available total unsecured Federal Funds facilities with other financial institutions of $31.0 million. In addition, the bank has a $13.7 million secured borrowing facility with the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco. Also, the unused and available borrowing capacity on the bank's secured FHLB borrowing facility was in excess of $163 million at June 30, 2009.

At June 30, 2009, First California had $96.4 million of Federal Funds sold and $245.9 million of securities. The securities portfolio is comprised mainly of U.S. government agency mortgage-backed securities, U.S. government agency and private-label collateralized mortgage obligations and municipal securities. During the current second quarter, the company posted an other-than-temporary impairment charge of $565,000 related to one private-label collateralized mortgage obligation.

Total shareholders' equity rose to $159.1 million at June 30, 2009 from $158.9 million at December 31, 2008. The company's net book value per common share was $11.62 at June 30, 2009, compared with $11.65 at year-end 2008. Tangible book value per common share was $5.33 at June 30, 2009, compared with $6.54 at December 31, 2008. The decline is attributed to a higher number of outstanding common shares versus the year-end count and an increase in intangible assets as a result of the 1st Centennial transaction.

First California's total risk-based and leverage capital ratios at June 30, 2009 were 12.48% and 8.96%, respectively. First California's tangible common equity as a percentage of total assets declined to 4.28% as of June 30, 2009 from 6.34% as of year-end 2008, primarily due to the increase in intangible assets as a result of the 1st Centennial transaction.

Kum concluded: "We believe the actions taken year-to-date have significantly enhanced the value of the First California Bank franchise for our customers and shareholders. We have an expanded regional base from which to gain market share and extend our leadership in Southern California banking. We boosted our reserves significantly while maintaining one of the lowest loan loss levels amongst our peers. Combined with our conservative underwriting, proactive management philosophy and commitment to maintaining a strong balance sheet, we are confident that First California Bank will endure this economic cycle and stay well positioned to capitalize on the opportunities ahead."

About First California

First California Financial Group, Inc. FCAL is the holding company of First California Bank. Celebrating 30 years of business in 2009, First California is a regional force of strength and stability in Southern California banking. With assets of $1.45 billion and led by an experienced team of bankers, the company is one of the strongest capitalized financial institutions in the region. The bank specializes in serving the comprehensive financial needs of the commercial market, particularly small- and middle-sized businesses, professional firms and commercial real estate development and construction companies. Committed to providing the best client service available in its markets, First California offers a full line of quality commercial banking products through 18 full-service branch offices in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego and Ventura counties. The holding company's Web site can be accessed at www.fcalgroup.com. For additional information on First California Bank's products and services, visit www.fcbank.com.

Forward-Looking Information

This press release contains certain forward-looking information about First California that is intended to be covered by the safe harbor for "forward-looking statements" provided by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements, and include statements related to the maintenance of First California Bank's asset quality and capital position, the successful integration of the 1st Centennial Bank acquisition, the company's ability to enhance efficiencies and manage costs and the expected continued progress in consolidating operations and the benefits of those activities, the monitoring of and management of risks in First California Bank's loan portfolio, the adequacy of sources of liquidity to support First California's and First California Bank's operations and strategic plans, the monitoring of and response to changing market conditions, and the status of the economy in the Southern California communities served by First California and First California Bank. Such statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and are generally beyond the control of First California. First California cautions readers that a number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied or projected by, such forward-looking statements. Risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, revenues are lower than expected, credit quality deterioration which could cause an increase in the provision for credit losses, First California's ability to complete future acquisitions, successfully integrate such acquired entities, or achieve expected beneficial synergies and/or operating efficiencies within expected time-frames or at all, changes in consumer spending, borrowing and savings habits, technological changes, the cost of additional capital is more than expected, a change in the interest rate environment reduces interest margins, asset/liability repricing risks and liquidity risks, general economic conditions, particularly those affecting real estate values, either nationally or in the market areas in which First California does or anticipates doing business are less favorable than expected, a slowdown in construction activity, recent volatility in the credit or equity markets and its effect on the general economy, loan delinquency rates, the ability of First California and First California Bank to retain customers, demographic changes, demand for the products or services of First California and First California Bank, as well as their ability to attract and retain qualified people, competition with other banks and financial institutions, and other factors. If any of these risks or uncertainties materializes or if any of the assumptions underlying such forward-looking statements proves to be incorrect, First California's results could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied or projected by such forward-looking statements. First California assumes no obligation to update such forward-looking statements. For a more complete discussion of risks and uncertainties, investors and security holders are urged to read the section titled "Risk Factors" in First California's Annual Report on Form 10-K and any other reports filed by it with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). The documents filed by First California with the SEC may be obtained at the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. These documents may also be obtained free of charge from First California by directing a request to: First California Financial Group, Inc., 3027 Townsgate Road, Suite 300, Westlake Village, CA 91361. Attention: Investor Relations. Telephone (805) 322-9655.

(Financial Tables Follow)

First California Financial Group Unaudited Quarterly Financial Results (in thousands except for share data and ratios) As of or for the quarter ended 30-Jun-09 31-Mar-09 31-Dec-08 30-Sep-08 30-Jun-08 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Income statement summary Net interest income $ 11,897 $ 10,670 $ 9,836 $ 10,348 $ 10,335 Service charges, fees & other income 1,260 1,235 1,146 1,043 903 Loan commissions & sales 44 9 69 143 185 Operating expenses 10,826 10,401 9,370 8,041 8,460 Provision for loan losses 1,110 5,069 200 300 200 Foreclosed property loss & expense 249 - 28 - - Amortization of intangible assets 417 376 298 298 297 Gain (loss) on securities transactions 2,000 671 (9) (13) - Impairment loss on securities 565 - - - - Market loss on loans held-for-sale 709 - - - - FDIC special assessment 675 - - - - Gain (loss) on derivatives - - 186 (1) (367) ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Income (loss) before tax 650 (3,261) 1,332 2,881 2,099 Tax expense (benefit) 433 (1,383) 200 1,120 815 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Net income (loss) $ 217 $ (1,878) $ 1,132 $ 1,761 $ 1,284 ========== ========== ========== ========== ========== Balance sheet data Total assets $1,448,456 $1,458,841 $1,183,401 $1,125,294 $1,125,096 Shareholders' equity 159,116 158,181 158,923 136,680 136,229 Common shareholders' equity 135,174 134,355 133,553 135,680 135,229 Earning assets 1,282,497 1,285,060 1,057,198 994,212 991,740 Loans 940,209 897,723 787,920 783,496 773,544 Loans - held for sale - 31,309 31,401 - - Securities 245,858 271,743 202,462 209,736 217,896 Federal funds sold & other 96,430 84,285 35,415 980 300 Interest-bearing funds 987,048 1,005,012 822,285 784,452 790,202 Interest-bearing deposits 804,071 815,799 628,584 563,244 566,664 Borrowings 156,250 162,500 167,000 194,520 196,863 Junior subordinated debt 26,727 26,713 26,701 26,688 26,675 Goodwill and other intangibles 73,134 73,545 58,551 58,848 59,146 Deposits 1,096,679 1,103,578 817,595 757,765 754,115 Asset quality data & ratios Loans past due 30 to 89 days & accruing $ 8,203 $ 6,395 $ 2,644 $ 6,560 $ 1,502 Loans past due 90 days & accruing 299 65 429 947 1,081 Nonaccruing loans 26,957 8,380 8,475 8,636 6,627 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Total past due & nonaccrual loans $ 35,459 $ 14,840 $ 11,548 $ 16,143 $ 9,210 ========== ========== ========== ========== ========== Repossessed personal property $ 61 $ 76 $ 107 $ 154 $ 154 Other real estate owned 6,767 993 220 120 - ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Total foreclosed property $ 6,828 $ 1,069 $ 327 $ 274 $ 154 ========== ========== ========== ========== ========== Net loan charge-offs $ 430 $ 1,842 $ 151 $ 194 $ 15 Allowance for loan losses $ 11,955 $ 11,275 $ 8,048 $ 7,999 $ 7,894 Allowance for loan losses to loans 1.27% 1.26% 1.02% 1.02% 1.02% Common shareholder data Basic earnings (loss) per common share $ (0.01) $ (0.18) $ 0.10 $ 0.15 $ 0.11 Diluted earnings (loss) per common share $ (0.01) $ (0.18) $ 0.10 $ 0.15 $ 0.11 Book value per common share $ 11.62 $ 11.55 $ 11.65 $ 11.84 $ 11.78 Tangible book value per common share $ 5.33 $ 5.23 $ 6.54 $ 6.71 $ 6.62 Shares outstanding 11,633,289 11,633,289 11,462,964 11,456,464 11,477,086 Basic weighted average shares 11,633,289 11,527,629 11,436,152 11,466,375 11,480,271 Diluted weighted average shares 11,976,738 11,813,629 11,727,614 11,744,823 11,756,817 Selected ratios Return on average assets 0.03% -0.55% 0.39% 0.63% 0.46% Return on average equity 0.28% -4.76% 3.22% 5.14% 3.72% Equity to assets 10.99% 10.84% 13.43% 12.15% 12.11% Tangible equity to tangible assets 6.25% 6.11% 8.92% 7.29% 7.23% Tangible common equity to tangible assets 4.51% 4.39% 6.67% 7.20% 7.14% Efficiency ratio 98.60% 87.30% 83.63% 69.72% 76.52% Net interest margin (tax equivalent) 3.75% 3.60% 3.90% 4.17% 4.17% Total risk-based capital ratio: First California Bank 11.54% 11.56% 12.27% 12.89% 12.59% First California Financial Group, Inc. 12.48% 12.73% 16.62% 14.01% 13.81% First California Financial Group Unaudited Quarterly Financial Results Three months ended Six months ended June 30, June 30, ------------------ ------------------- 2009 2008 2009 2008 -------- -------- -------- --------- (in thousands, except per share data) Interest income: Interest and fees on loans $ 13,386 $ 12,894 $ 25,813 $ 26,717 Interest on securities 3,431 2,887 7,028 5,957 Interest on federal funds sold and interest bearing deposits 235 2 290 14 -------- -------- -------- --------- Total interest income 17,052 15,783 33,131 32,688 -------- -------- -------- --------- Interest expense: Interest on deposits 3,214 3,166 6,581 7,415 Interest on borrowings 1,502 1,844 3,057 3,798 Interest on junior subordinated debentures 439 438 926 877 -------- -------- -------- --------- Total interest expense 5,155 5,448 10,564 12,090 -------- -------- -------- --------- Net interest income before provision for loan losses 11,897 10,335 22,567 20,598 Provision for loan losses 1,110 200 6,179 650 -------- -------- -------- --------- Net interest income after provision for loan losses 10,787 10,135 16,388 19,948 -------- -------- -------- --------- Noninterest income: Service charges on deposit accounts 1,038 639 2,088 1,156 Loan sales and commissions 44 185 53 239 Net gain on sale of securities 2,000 - 2,671 - Impairment loss on securities (565) - (565) - Net gain (loss) on derivatives - (367) - 858 Other income 222 357 407 719 -------- -------- -------- --------- Total noninterest income 2,739 814 4,654 2,972 -------- -------- -------- --------- Noninterest expense: Salaries and employee benefits 5,363 4,780 11,021 9,347 Premises and equipment 1,780 1,077 3,313 2,205 Data processing 479 328 950 715 Legal, audit and other professional services 597 500 1,217 857 Printing, stationery and supplies 211 181 403 332 Telephone 264 198 527 337 Directors' fees 141 115 256 211 Advertising, marketing and business development 443 347 899 653 Postage 96 53 151 115 Insurance and assessments 1,346 270 1,655 568 Loss on and expense of foreclosed property 249 - 249 - Amortization of intangible assets 417 298 793 599 Market loss on loans held-for-sale 709 - 709 - Other expenses 781 703 1,510 1,286 -------- -------- -------- --------- Total noninterest expense 12,876 8,850 23,653 17,225 -------- -------- -------- --------- Income (loss) before provision for income taxes 650 2,099 (2,611) 5,695 Provision (benefit) for income taxes 433 815 (950) 2,222 -------- -------- -------- --------- Net income (loss) $ 217 $ 1,284 $ (1,661) $ 3,473 ======== ======== ======== ========= Earnings (loss) per common share: Basic $ (0.01) $ 0.11 $ (0.19) $ 0.30 Diluted $ (0.01) $ 0.11 $ (0.19) $ 0.30 First California Financial Group Unaudited Quarterly Financial Results June 30, December 31, (in thousands) 2009 2008 ----------- ----------- Cash and due from banks $ 37,535 $ 13,712 Federal funds sold 96,430 35,415 Securities available-for-sale, at fair value 245,858 202,462 Loans held for sale - 31,401 Loans, net 928,254 780,373 Premises and equipment, net 20,994 20,693 Goodwill 60,720 50,098 Other intangibles, net 12,414 8,452 Deferred tax assets, net 3,008 2,572 Cash surrender value of life insurance 11,571 11,355 Foreclosed property 6,828 327 Accrued interest receivable and other assets 24,844 21,185 ----------- ----------- Total assets $ 1,448,456 $ 1,178,045 =========== =========== Non-interest checking $ 292,608 $ 189,011 Interest checking 74,064 22,577 Money market and savings 269,232 198,606 Certificates of deposit, under $100,000 171,379 191,888 Certificates of deposit, $100,000 and over 289,396 215,513 ----------- ----------- Total deposits 1,096,679 817,595 Securities sold under agreements to repurchase 45,000 45,000 Federal Home Loan Bank advances 111,250 122,000 Junior subordinated debentures 26,727 26,701 Accrued interest payable and other liabilities 9,684 7,826 ----------- ----------- Total liabilities 1,289,340 1,019,122 Total shareholders' equity 159,116 158,923 ----------- ----------- Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity $ 1,448,456 $ 1,178,045 =========== ===========