FCAL First Trust California Municipal High Income

First California Financial Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: FCAL), the holding company of First California Bank, today announced the addition of three senior lending officers to the lending team at its wholly-owned subsidiary, First California Bank. Prior to joining First California, the team worked together for a number of years at Pacific Western Bank.

The new team includes Velvet Dunbar, who was appointed senior vice president and manager of commercial lending for First California's Century City office. For the previous nine years, she was the manager of commercial lending for Pacific Western Bank's Beverly Hills office, where she is credited with building the bank's commercial banking team and presence in the Los Angeles region. Joining Dunbar as vice presidents are long-term colleagues, Marlene Atilano and Jeffrey Moore.

"We are excited to have attracted a proven team of bankers with strong client relationships in West Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley," said C. G. Kum, president and chief executive officer of First California Group. "With the addition of Velvet and her team, we have strengthened our ability to serve small and medium-sized businesses in a key market for our bank."

About First California

First California Financial Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: FCAL) is the holding company of First California Bank. Celebrating 31 years of business in 2010, First California is a regional force of strength and stability in Southern California banking with assets of $1.60 billion and led by an experienced team of bankers. The company specializes in serving the comprehensive financial needs of the commercial market, particularly small and middle-sized businesses, professional firms and commercial real estate development and construction companies. Committed to providing the best client service available in its markets, First California offers a full line of quality commercial banking products through 18 full-service branch offices in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego and Ventura counties. The holding company's Web site can be accessed at www.fcalgroup.com. For additional information on First California Bank's products and services, visit www.fcbank.com.

Forward-Looking Information

This press release contains certain forward-looking information about First California that is intended to be covered by the safe harbor for "forward-looking statements" provided by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements, and include statements related to the company's ability to serve small and medium-sized businesses. Such statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and are generally beyond the control of First California. First California cautions readers that a number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied or projected by, such forward-looking statements. Risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, revenues are lower than expected, credit quality deterioration which could cause an increase in the provision for credit losses, First California's ability to complete future acquisitions, successfully integrate such acquired entities, or achieve expected beneficial synergies and/or operating efficiencies within expected time-frames or at all, changes in consumer spending, borrowing and savings habits, technological changes, the cost of additional capital is more than expected, a change in the interest rate environment reduces interest margins, asset/liability repricing risks and liquidity risks, general economic conditions, particularly those affecting real estate values, either nationally or in the market areas in which First California does or anticipates doing business are less favorable than expected, a slowdown in construction activity, recent volatility in the credit or equity markets and its effect on the general economy, loan delinquency rates, the ability of First California to retain customers, demographic changes, demand for the products or services of First California as well as their ability to attract and retain qualified people, competition with other banks and financial institutions, and other factors. If any of these risks or uncertainties materializes or if any of the assumptions underlying such forward-looking statements proves to be incorrect, First California's results could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied or projected by such forward-looking statements. First California assumes no obligation to update such forward-looking statements. For a more complete discussion of risks and uncertainties, investors and security holders are urged to read the section titled "Risk Factors" in First California's Annual Report on Form 10-K and any other reports filed by it with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). The documents filed by First California with the SEC may be obtained at the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. These documents may also be obtained free of charge from First California by directing a request to: First California Financial Group, Inc., 3027 Townsgate Road, Suite 300, Westlake Village, CA 91361. Attention: Investor Relations. Telephone (805) 322-9655.

At the Company: Ron Santarosa 805-322-9333 At PondelWilkinson: Robert Jaffe 310-279-5969 Corporate Headquarters Address: 3027 Townsgate Road, Suite 300 Westlake Village, CA 91361