Sunwest Bank Acquires Pacific Coast National Bank; Marking Sunwest Bank's Third Acquisition This Year

The FDIC accepted receivership of Pacific Coast National Bank from
the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, which closed Pacific
Coast National Bank on Friday, November 13th, 2009. The FDIC
subsequently entered into an agreement with Sunwest Bank, under which
Sunwest assumed substantially all of Pacific Coast National's
non-brokered deposits and loans.

The former Pacific Coast National Bank will reopen Monday, November
16th, 2009 as part of Sunwest Bank. Existing Pacific Coast National
Bank customers will be able to conduct business as usual, as their
money will be available through checks, ATM and debit cards. Loan
customers should continue to make their payments to Pacific Coast
National Bank as usual. Sunwest Bank representatives will be
available at the former Pacific Coast National branches in both South
Orange County and Northern San Diego County to answer questions from
current and prospective customers.

"Sunwest Bank's position as a strong, well-capitalized and highly
liquid community bank has allowed us to make this third acquisition,"
notes Gray. "We offer financial strength, yet don't have the
drawbacks of the big banks, which can be impersonal and judge loans
on a numbers basis, instead of on an entrepreneurial basis as we do
at Sunwest Bank. We look forward to serving all of our new
customers' banking needs going forward."

Sunwest Bank previously acquired MetroPacific Bank of Irvine in June
of 2009, and the six-branch First State Bank of Flagstaff, Arizona in
September of 2009.

"With realistic lending parameters throughout a time when banks were
making irrational loans, our stability gives us the opportunity to
help the local businesses and entrepreneurs to grow and expand their
businesses," Gray notes. "We have protected our depositors' money,
made smart loans, and are now reaping the benefits of that more savvy
business conduct."

Sunwest Bank anticipates announcing its new total assets, including
those acquired in this transaction, shortly after the closing of the
fourth quarter.

"Pacific Coast National Bank's former customers will be pleased to
find that Sunwest Bank is a true community bank, providing personal
service and experienced loan officers that listen and understand
businesses, complemented by a practical approach to lending," Gray
said. "We have increased lending capacity and look forward to
partnering with local businesses, as well as our newest customers in
Southern Orange County and Northern San Diego County, to show them
how community banking will help them achieve their goals."

With nearly 40 years in business, Tustin, California-based Sunwest
Bank is one of the strongest community banks in the Western Region.
The bank specializes in meeting the needs of small and mid-size
businesses, is an industry-recognized leader in homeowner association
management banking, and has specialties in healthcare and security
and defense-related businesses.

Additional information can be found at www.sunwestbank.com.

Media Only Contact:
Judith Brower
(949) 509-6551
jbrower@browermillercole.com

SOURCE: Sunwest Bank

mailto:jbrower@browermillercole.com

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