FCAL First Trust California Municipal High Income

First California Financial Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: FCAL), parent company of First California Bank, today announced a major company milestone. As one of Southern California's strongest and safest community banks, First California Bank is celebrating 30 years in the business beginning today. The Bank opened on February 27, 1979, under the name Camarillo Community Bank.

As part of the year-long celebration, First California Financial Group will host the NASDAQ Opening Bell ceremony on Monday, March 2, 2009 in recognition of the company's anniversary. The ceremony will take place at 9:30 a.m. ET at NASDAQ's MarketSite in New York's Times Square and will be broadcast simultaneously on www.nasdaq.com and on the seven-story NASDAQ tower, the largest stationary video screen in the world.

The NASDAQ ceremony will be one of the many highlights during First California's 30-year history. Other notable accomplishments include:

--  1979  The Bank receives FDIC approval with an initial capitalization of
          $1.25 million.
--  1981  The Bank moves to a new location in Camarillo, Calif.  The new
          office features a drive-up window with four lanes, a
          state-of-the-art computer system and an Automatic Teller Machine.
--  1985  The Bank completes a secondary offering, raising an additional
          $640,000 in capital.
--  1999  The Bank's total assets reach $100 million.
--  2000  The Bank introduces E-Access, a secure Internet-based online
          banking service.
--  2001  The Bank changes its name to First California Bank.
--  2003  The Bank is awarded the Preferred Lender status by the SBA.
--  2004  FCB Bancorp is formed as the holding company for First California
          Bank.
--  2005  FCB Bancorp acquires South Coast Commercial Bancorp.
--  2006  A merger of equals with National Mercantile Bancorp is announced,
          creating a new holding company called First California Financial
          Group, Inc.
--  2007  The merger is finalized, resulting in a branch network of 12
          full-service offices.
--  2008  The Bank and holding company relocate their corporate
          headquarters to Westlake Village, Calif.
          The Bank's total assets reach $1.25 billion.
--  2009  The Bank assumes the insured deposits of 1st Centennial Bank, the
          wholly-owned subsidiary of 1st Centennial Bancorp (OTCBB: FCEN).

About First California Financial Group, Inc.

First California Financial Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: FCAL) is an emerging force of strength and stability in Southern California banking. With assets now exceeding $1.4 billion, the company operates throughout Southern California, primarily under the First California Bank brand. The bank's focus is the commercial market, particularly small- and middle-sized businesses, professional firms and commercial real estate, development and construction companies. With a commitment to provide the best client service available in its markets, the bank offers a full line of quality commercial banking products now through 18 full-service branch offices in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego and Ventura counties. The holding company's website can be accessed at www.fcalgroup.com. For additional information on First California Bank's products and services, visit www.fcbank.com.

First California was a wholly owned subsidiary of National Mercantile Bancorp formed to facilitate the reincorporation merger with National Mercantile and the merger with FCB Bancorp, which occurred on March 12, 2007. Accordingly, First California's historical balance sheet and results of operations before the merger are the same as the historical information of National Mercantile. The company's results of operations include approximately 19 days of FCB Bancorp's results for the 2007 first quarter.

For further Information: At the Company: Ron Santarosa 805-322-9333 At PondelWilkinson: Angie Yang 310-279-5980 Corporate Headquarters Address: 3027 Townsgate Road, Suite 300 Westlake Village, CA 91361