CERRITOS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- First Choice Bank (the “Bank”) (OTCQX: FCBK) has announced that its common stock begins trading today on the OTCQX Best marketplace, operated by OTC Markets Group. Prior to this, the Bank’s shares traded on the OTCQB Venture marketplace. The Bank’s stock symbol, “FCBK,” remains the same. Investors can find current financial disclosure and Real-Time Level 2 quotes for the Bank on www.otcmarkets.com.

OTCQX for Banks is an expansion of the OTCQX marketplace that was created for strongly capitalized and well managed banks that have committed to provide higher level reporting and greater transparency. To qualify for OTCQX a bank must meet high financial standards, be current with its regulatory reporting, and post quarterly and annual financial results, and report material events in a timely manner. These banks must also appoint a Corporate Broker, a FINRA member broker-dealer specializing in bank stocks, to serve as their OTCQX advisor. Hovde Group, LLC, a leading financial services and investment banking firm focused exclusively on the banking and thrift industry for over 25 years, will serve as First Choice Bank’s Corporate Broker on OTCQX.

The Bank’s Founder and Chairman, Peter Hui, said, “We are pleased to provide this valuable channel of liquidity for our shareholders. 2015 marks our 10th anniversary and our bankers and shareholders look forward to our next decade of loyal service to all of those communities that we serve.”

ABOUT FIRST CHOICE BANK

First Choice Bank, headquartered in Cerritos, California, is a community focused financial institution serving diverse consumers and commercial clients and specializing in loans to small businesses, Commercial and Industrial (C&I) loans, and commercial real estate loans with a niche in providing finance for the hospitality industry. The Bank is a Preferred Small Business Administration (SBA) Lender. The Bank recently started a private banking operation. Founded in 2005, First Choice Bank has quickly become a leading provider of financial services that enable our customers to grow, maintain strength, and reach unprecedented levels of success. We strive to surpass our clients' expectations through our efficiency and professionalism and are committed to being "First in Speed, Service, and Solutions."

The Bank's web site is www.FirstChoiceBankCA.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Except for the historical information in this news release, the matters described herein contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. Such risks and uncertainties include: the credit risks of lending activities, including changes in the level and trend of loan delinquencies and charge-offs, results of examinations by our banking regulators, our ability to maintain adequate levels of capital and liquidity, our ability to manage loan delinquency rates, our ability to price deposits to retain existing customers and achieve low-cost deposit growth, manage expenses and lower the efficiency ratio, expand or maintain the net interest margin, mitigate interest rate risk for changes in the interest rate environment, competitive pressures in the banking industry, access to available sources of credit to manage liquidity, the local and national economic environment, and other risks and uncertainties.Accordingly, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this release. First Choice Bank undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements to reflect new information, events or circumstances after the date of this release or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. Investors are encouraged to read the First Choice Bank annual reports which are available on our website.

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First Choice Bank
Robert M. Franko, (562) 345-9241
President & Chief Executive Officer
RFranko@FirstChoiceBankCA.com
or
Yvonne L. Chen, (562) 345-9244
Chief Financial Officer
YChen@FirstChoiceBankCA.com

Source: First Choice Bank