WashingtonFirst Bankshares, Inc. (NASDAQ: WFBI), the holding company of WashingtonFirst Bank, announced today a milestone event: the ringing of The NASDAQ Stock Market Closing Bell as a newly public company. The event celebrates the Bank's recent move to The NASDAQ Stock Market with shares of WFBI common stock commencing trading on NASDAQ on December 24, 2012.

WashingtonFirst Bankshares Board of Directors ring The NASDAQ Stock Market Closing Bell. (Photo: NAS ...

WashingtonFirst Bankshares Board of Directors ring The NASDAQ Stock Market Closing Bell. (Photo: NASDAQ OMX)

"We are thrilled to start the New Year off by ringing The NASDAQ Closing Bell and celebrating this past year's accomplishments," said Shaza L. Andersen, President and CEO of WashingtonFirst Bank. "Our new Listing has been one of many highlights this year, including the completion of a merger with a bank of similar size and securing approximately $27.1 million in new equity capital from individuals and institutional investors. This Listing will allow us to reach a broader range of investors and continue to help accelerate our growth in the Washington metropolitan area."

About WashingtonFirst Bankshares, Inc. [WFBI]:

WashingtonFirst Bankshares, Inc. is headquartered in Reston, Virginia and is the holding company for WashingtonFirst Bank, which commenced operations in 2004. WashingtonFirst Bank, which focuses on providing quality, tailored services to its customers, conducts a full service commercial banking operation through 15 offices, with nine located in Northern Virginia, three in Maryland and three in the District of Columbia. For more information about WFBI, please visit: www.wfbi.com.

WashingtonFirst Bankshares, Inc.
Shaza L. Andersen, 703-840-2420