PROMERICA BANK Third Quarter Results Reflect Strong Capitalization and Strong Management Team

Appointment of Interim CEO and New Chief Credit Officer


LOS ANGELES, CA--(Marketwire - November 6, 2008) - PROMÉRICA BANK (OTCBB: PMRA) today reported results for its 2008 third quarter of operations that were highlighted by growth of total assets to $72 million, growth of the loan portfolio to $55 million and an increase in deposits to $49 million. The Bank also announced the appointment of Scott A. Montgomery to the position of Interim President and CEO and Stephen Rolfe to the position of Chief Credit Officer. On November 7, 2008 the bank will celebrate its second full year of operation.

Highlights of the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2008 include:

--  Capital ratios in excess of all minimums required to be "Well
    Capitalized" by regulatory agencies, with a Tier 1 leverage ratio of 31%
    and a Total Risk-Based capital ratio of 39% at September 30, 2008.
    Regulatory "Well Capitalized" definitions are 5% for the Tier 1 leverage
    ratio and 10% for the Total Risk-Based capital ratio.
    
--  Total Assets at September 30, 2008 increased to $72 million, an
    increase of $20 million or 39% from September 30, 2007.  Assets were $72
    million at September 30, 2008 and June 30, 2008.
    
--  Total Loans at September 30, 2008 increased to $55 million, an
    increase of $21 million or 64% over third quarter 2007, and a $4 million or
    7% increase over second quarter 2008.
    
--  Total Deposits at September 30, 2008 increased to $49 million, an
    increase of $22 million or an 84% increase over third quarter 2007.
    Deposits were $49 million at September 30, 2008 and June 30, 2008.
    
--  Nine Month Net Loss of $2,216,000 for 2008 versus a loss of $2,878,000
    for the comparable period of 2007.  For the nine month period that
    represents a reduction of 23% or $662,000 from 2007 to 2008 respectively.
    
--  Third Quarter Net Loss of $894,000 versus $640,000 in the third
    quarter 2007 and $660,000 in the second quarter of 2008.  The third quarter
    loss included some termination costs related to the previous CEO which are
    non-recurring and an increase in provision for loan losses.
    
--  No real estate owned, and no loans in foreclosure.
    
--  No Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac preferred stock.
    

"We are pleased to announce that Scott A. Montgomery has joined the Bank as Interim Chief Executive Officer and President and that Stephen Rolfe has joined the Bank as Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Officer," commented Maria Contreras-Sweet, Chairwoman of Promérica Bank. Mr. Montgomery is a seasoned business banker and will help lead our team through the challenges of this economy. Mr. Montgomery has a track record of providing strong leadership and enhanced business development activities. He comes to Promerica with over 40 years of banking experience and over 25 years of experience as a CEO. Mr. Rolfe comes to the Bank with over 30 years of banking and credit administration leadership," stated Contreras-Sweet.

"In the midst of wide ranging instability in the banking industry, Promérica Bank continues to offer its clients safety and peace of mind knowing that their Bank has capital well in excess of regulatory requirements to be 'well capitalized,' while maintaining strong liquidity and FDIC insurance to the maximum allowed by law," stated Mr. Montgomery. "We believe our strength and stability offer security for our clients in these uncertain times." He continued, "We are well positioned to continue to provide capital to the small to medium sized company market place. We are a part of the exciting redevelopment and expansion of the downtown Los Angeles market. Outside our front window we can see approximately $1.4 billion in new projects under construction. Certainly challenges in the economy remain and will continue into 2009, but we believe the challenges will also provide opportunities for prudent lending and expansion of our banking franchise."

Net income for the 2008 third quarter was impacted by the addition of $226,000 to loan loss reserves during the period. The provision for the 2008 third quarter was $58,000 higher than for the same quarter in 2007. The Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses represents 1.39% of total loans. The third quarter of 2008 was also impacted by a severance expense of $233,000.

PROMÉRICA BANK provides a full range of financial services, including credit and deposit products, cash management, and internet banking for businesses and high net worth individuals from its headquarters office at 888 S. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA 90017. Information on products and services may be obtained by calling (213) 613-5000 or visiting the Bank's website at www.PROMERICAbank.com.

NOTE:

This news release contains forward-looking statements about the Bank for which the Bank claims the protection of the safe harbor provisions contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

Forward-looking statements are based on management's knowledge and belief as of today and include information concerning the Bank's possible or assumed future financial condition, and its results of operations, business and earnings outlook. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties. A number of factors, some of which are beyond the Bank's ability to control or predict, could cause future results to differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements. These factors include (1) changes in accounting policies or procedures as may be required by the Financial Accounting Standards Board or regulatory agencies, (2) changes in interest rates, (3) significant changes in banking laws or regulations, (4) increased competition in the Bank's markets, (5) other-than-expected credit losses due to real estate cycles or other economic events, (6) earthquake or other natural disasters affecting the condition of real estate collateral or the business environment. In addition, management cannot predict at this time the extent of the recent economic downturn, and a slowing or worsening could adversely affect our performance in a number of ways, including decreased demand for our products and services and increased credit losses. Likewise, changes in deposit interest rates, among other things, could slow the rate of growth or put pressure on current deposit levels. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and the Bank does not undertake to update forward-looking statements to reflect circumstances or events that occur after the date the statements are made.

                      PROMÉRICA BANK  BALANCE SHEETS
                          (Dollars in thousands)


                        September 30,  June 30,  December 31, September 30,
                            2008         2008         2007         2007
                        ===========  ===========  ===========  ===========
                         Unaudited    Unaudited     Audited     Unaudited

Assets:
  Cash and Due From
   Banks                $     1,753  $     1,444  $       498  $       416
  Federal Funds Sold          9,990       11,995       17,365       15,785
  Int-Bearing Balances
   at Other Financial
   Institutions               3,698        5,675            0            0
                        ===========  ===========  ===========  ===========
     Total Cash and
      Cash Equivalents       15,441       19,114       17,863       16,201
                        ===========  ===========  ===========  ===========

  Loans Net of Deferred
   Loan Fees/Costs           54,998       51,336       37,282       33,592
  Allowance for Loan
   Losses                       762          603          476          359
                        ===========  ===========  ===========  ===========
     Loans Net of
      Allowance for
      Loan Losses            54,236       50,733       36,806       33,233
  Total Other Assets          2,016        2,068        2,066        2,057
                        ===========  ===========  ===========  ===========

    Total Assets        $    71,693  $    71,915  $    56,735  $    51,491
                        ===========  ===========  ===========  ===========

Liabilities:
  Non-Interest-Bearing
   Demand Deposits      $     8,792  $     7,186  $     4,839  $     3,590

  Interest-Bearing
   Demand Deposits (NOW
   Deposits)                  2,960        3,555        2,569          601
  Money Market Deposits      10,979       11,684        9,385        8,835
  Savings Deposits              164           37           22           65
  Certificates of
   Deposit                   26,145       26,256       15,661       13,508
                        ===========  ===========  ===========  ===========
    Total
     Interest-Bearing
     Deposits                40,248       41,532       27,637       23,009
                        ===========  ===========  ===========  ===========
    Total Deposits           49,040       48,718       32,476       26,599

  Accrued Interest
   Payable and Other
   Liabilities                  791          552          512          452
                        ===========  ===========  ===========  ===========

Total Liabilities            49,831       49,270       32,988       27,051

Shareholders' Equity:
  Common Stock               27,245       27,245       27,245       27,245
  Additional Paid in
   Capital                      923          813          592          482
  Accumulated Deficit        (6,306)      (5,413)      (4,090)      (3,287)
                        ===========  ===========  ===========  ===========
    Total Shareholders'
     Equity                  21,862       22,645       23,747       24,440
                        ===========  ===========  ===========  ===========

    Total Liabilities
     and Shareholders'
     Equity             $    71,693  $    71,915  $    56,735  $    51,491
                        ===========  ===========  ===========  ===========




                PROMÉRICA BANK STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                        For the Quarters Indicated
               (Dollars in thousands except per share data)


                       September 30,   June 30,  December 31, September 30,
                            2008         2008         2007         2007
                        ===========  ===========  ===========  ===========
                         Unaudited    Unaudited     Audited     Unaudited

Interest Income:
  Interest and Fees on
   Loans                $       972  $       912  $       793  $       514
  Interest on Federal
   Funds Sold                    56           95          168          224
  Interest on Balances
   at Other Financial
   Institutions                  26           19            0            0
  Dividends on FHLB
   Stock                          0            6            0            0
                        ===========  ===========  ===========  ===========
    Total Interest
     Income                   1,054        1,032          961          738

Interest Expense:
  Interest on Deposit
   Accounts                     240          257          266          165
                        ===========  ===========  ===========  ===========

  Net Interest Income           814          775          695          573

Provision for Loan
 Losses                         226          130          117          168
                        ===========  ===========  ===========  ===========

   Net Interest Income
    After Provision
    for Loan Losses             588          645          578          405

Non-Interest Income:
     Non-Interest Income         24           24           11           11

Non-Interest Expense:
   Salaries and
    Employee Benefits           896          683          701          490
   Stock Based
    Compensation
    Expense                     111          111          111          111
   Occupancy Expense            232          216          273          201
   Operating Expense            267          319          307          254
                        ===========  ===========  ===========  ===========
       Total
        Non-Interest
        Expense               1,506        1,329        1,392        1,056

Net Loss from Bank
 Operations                    (894)        (660)        (803)        (640)

                        ===========  ===========  ===========  ===========
   Pre-tax Net Loss            (894)        (660)        (803)        (640)

Provision for Income
 Taxes                            0            1            0            0

   Net Loss             $      (894) $      (661) $      (803) $      (640)
                        ===========  ===========  ===========  ===========

   Loss per share -
    basic and diluted
    loss per share      $     (0.33) $     (0.24) $     (0.29) $     (0.23)
                        ===========  ===========  ===========  ===========




                 PROMÉRICA BANK STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                  For the Year-to-Date Periods Indicated
               (Dollars in thousands except per share data)


                                              September 30,  September 30,
                                                  2008           2007
                                              =============  =============
                                                Unaudited      Unaudited

Interest Income:
  Interest and Fees on Loans                  $       2,641  $       1,657
  Interest on Federal Funds Sold                        336            941
  Interest on Balances at Other Financial
   Institutions                                          46              0
  Dividends on FHLB Stock                                 6              0
                                              =============  =============
    Total Interest Income                             3,029          2,598

Interest Expense:
  Interest on Deposit Accounts                          814            533
                                              =============  =============

  Net Interest Income                                 2,215          2,065

Provision for Loan Losses                               402            445
                                              =============  =============

  Net Interest Income After Provision
   for Loan Losses                                    1,813          1,620

Non-Interest Income:
     Non-Interest Income                                 69             47

Non-Interest Expense:
   Salaries and Employee Benefits                     2,241          2,135
   Stock Based Compensation Expense                     331            440
   Occupancy Expense                                    678            819
   Operating Expense                                    846          1,151
                                              =============  =============
    Total Non-Interest Expense                        4,096          4,545

Net Loss from Bank Operations                        (2,214)        (2,878)

                                              =============  =============
  Pre-tax Net Loss                                   (2,214)        (2,878)

Provision for Income Taxes                                2              0

  Net Loss                                    $      (2,216) $      (2,878)
                                              =============  =============

  Loss per share - basic and diluted loss
   per share                                  $       (0.81) $       (1.05)
                                              =============  =============

Contact Information: Contacts: Promérica Bank Maria Contreras-Sweet Chairwoman 213.787.2802 Scott Montgomery Interim CEO / President 213.787.2805 Frank E. Smith CFO 213.787.2804