CHARLOTTE, N.C., April 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Bank of Commerce (OTC Bulletin Board: BONC) announces net income available to common shareholders for the first quarter ended March 31, 2010 of $230,000, compared to breaking even for the same period last year.

"We are pleased to start 2010 with a strong quarterly earnings report, particularly given the ongoing challenges we face within our local economy and the banking industry," said Wes Sturges, President and Chief Executive Officer. "While there have been some isolated signs of economic growth nationally, we have not seen much of this improvement within the Charlotte small business community. We will, therefore, continue to position the Bank for reasonable growth for the foreseeable future while aggressively focusing on controlling expenses and maintaining credit quality."

The Bank's total assets were $170.3 million as of March 31, 2010. Gross loans were $119.2 million and deposits were $127.0 million as of March 31, 2010.

Bank of Commerce serves the needs of independently owned businesses in the Charlotte, N.C. area. From a midtown Charlotte office at 100 Queens Road, we offer guidance to clients from experienced loan officers, in addition to start-up financing and other banking products, services and information. Online banking, courier service and extended deposit hours are additional hallmarks of Bank of Commerce. The Bank's common stock is quoted in the over-the-counter market through the OTC Bulletin Board under the symbol "BONC.OB." The FDIC has extended its coverage from $100,000 to $250,000 until December 31, 2013. Additionally, the Bank participates in the Transactional Account Guarantee Program that fully guarantees all balances in non-interest bearing transaction accounts until June 30, 2010. For additional information, contact Bank of Commerce Headquarters, 100 Queens Road, Charlotte, N.C. (telephone 704-971-7000) or visit www.BankofCommerceNC.com.

This release contains certain forward-looking statements with respect to the financial condition, results of operations and business of Bank of Commerce. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties and are based on the beliefs and assumptions of management of the Bank and on the information available to management at the time that these disclosures were prepared. These statements can be identified by the use of words like "expect," "anticipate," "estimate" and "believe," variations of these words and other similar expressions. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as a number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. The Bank does not undertake an obligation to update any forward-looking statements.

    Bank of Commerce
    2010 First Quarter Report
    In Thousands
                                             March 31,         December 31,
                                                      2010               2009
                                                      ----               ----
    Assets                                  (unaudited)         (audited)
    Cash                                            $5,275             $4,061
    Federal funds sold                                   -                859
    Investment securities                           37,004             41,403
    Loans, gross                                   119,190            122,365
    Allowance for loan losses                       (1,814)            (1,836)
    Other assets                                    10,693              6,511
              Total assets                        $170,348           $173,363
                                                  --------           --------

    Liabilities and
    Shareholders' Equity
    Deposits                                      $127,040           $118,738
    Borrowed funds                                  27,111             39,074
    Other liabilities                                  761                571
    Shareholders' equity                            15,436             14,980
                                                    ------             ------
              Total liabilities and
               shareholders' equity               $170,348           $173,363
                                                  --------           --------




    Statements of Operations
     (Unaudited)
    In Thousands
                                          For the Quarter    For the Quarter
                                                Ended              Ended
                                             March 31,          March 31,
                                                      2010               2009
                                                      ----               ----

    Total interest income                           $1,991             $1,780
    Total interest expense                             695                787
                                                       ---                ---
    Net interest income                              1,296                993
    Provision for loan losses                           40                173
                                                       ---                ---
    Net interest income after
     provision for loan losses                       1,256                820
    Total other income                                  65                111
    Total other expense                              1,043                889
                                                     -----                ---
        Income (loss) before taxes                     278                 42
    Provision for income taxes                           -                  -
                                                       ---                ---
        Net income                                     278                 42
    Preferred stock dividend                            48                 42
                                                       ---                ---
        Net income applicable to common
         shareholders                                 $230                 $-
                                                      ----                ---

SOURCE Bank of Commerce