Plaza Bank : Rick Sowers Named President of Plaza Bancorp and Plaza Bank

IRVINE, CA-(January 12, 2017) - Plaza Bancorp (PLZZ.OB) (the 'Company'), the holding
company of Plaza Bank (the 'Bank'), is pleased to announce it has named Rick Sowers as
President of both the Company and Bank, effective January 1, 2017. Gene Galloway, who has
served as President and CEO since 2009, will remain CEO of the Company and Bank.

As President, Mr. Sowers is responsible for Plaza Bank's day-to-day operations, business
strategy, and executive team leadership, focusing on continued growth in the best interest of
the Bank's shareholders, clients, employees, and communities. All Executive Vice Presidents
within the company will report to Mr. Sowers.

'I look forward to seeing Rick continue to build upon Plaza's strong past performance. He brings
a sound and diversified background in banking which can only bring us greater success in the
future,' Tom Rogers, Chairman said.

'As someone with a diverse background in the banking industry with proven success, Rick is
perfectly positioned to help lead Plaza Bank,' Mr. Galloway said. 'In his short time here, he has
demonstrated strong management skills, delivering increased results for Plaza Bank and our
clients. We will benefit immensely from his leadership as we embark on our next phase of
growth.'

Mr. Sowers joined Plaza Bank in 2015 through the merger with Bank of Manhattan, where he
served as President and Chief Operating Officer. He was Executive Vice President and Chief
Strategy Officer at Plaza Bank before being appointed Chief Operating Officer in July 2016.
During his tenure, Mr. Sowers has helped build Plaza Bank's long-term strategy and brand,
while leading expansion across key markets and services.

'I am extremely proud to serve as President for Plaza Bank and look forward to extending our
reputation as a premier community business bank throughout Southern California and
Southern Nevada,' Mr. Sowers said. 'We will continue to focus on client growth and retention
through exceptional, personal relationships, while sustaining our financial strength, operational
excellence, and community impact. Working with highly energetic, passionate professionals at
all levels of our organization, I am excited to help shape the vision and future of Plaza Bank.'

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.