CERRITOS, CALIFORNIA, July 12, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- (Nasdaq Capital Markets: FCBP) - First Choice Bancorp, the holding company for First Choice Bank (the “Bank” or “FCB”), announced today the appointment of Nora Perez as CRA Officer for the Bank, reporting to Senior Vice President & Chief Compliance Officer Jae Park.
Ms. Perez has a long-standing career in the financial services industry and since 2016 has served as Assistant Vice President/Assistant CRA Officer for First Choice Bank. Nora has been a tremendous advocate over the last several years for the low- and moderate-income (“LMI”) communities the Bank serves, partnering with countless financial literacy campaigns and programs, including LA Saves and Junior Achievement (“JA”).
Mr. Park said, “Nora is an integral part of First Choice Bank’s successful CRA program. I have worked with her for many years and have seen first-hand her commitment to helping those most in need in our communities. We are very pleased to have such a talented internal candidate to promote to this key position.”
Peter Hui, the Founding Chairman of First Choice Bank, stated, “Ms. Perez’s enthusiasm and devotion to our LMI communities is a shining example of FCB’s calling as a community bank to give back. The Board of the Bank is thrilled to recognize her contributions and commitment to First Choice Bank and the communities we serve.”
Eric Carlson, Director of Development at Junior Achievement, added, “Nora is a wonderful partner with JA, a dedicated and passionate professional who works hard to provide opportunities for LMI youth.”
Ms. Perez was honored to receive the promotion and stated, “I am excited for the opportunity to continue working with our LMI communities to ensure they receive the assistance they need. I am very happy to be a part of the First Choice Bank family and look forward to what’s ahead.”
About First Choice Bancorp
First Choice Bancorp is the registered bank holding company for 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, private banking clients, commercial and industrial (C&I) loans, and commercial real estate loans with a niche in providing finance for the hospitality industry. First Choice Bank is a Preferred Small Business Administration (SBA) Lender. Founded in 2005, First Choice Bank has quickly become a leading provider of financial services that enable our customers to grow, maintain strength, and achieve their business objectives. We strive to surpass our clients’ expectations through our efficiency and professionalism and are committed to being “First in Speed, Service, and Solutions.” First Choice Bancorp stock is traded on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the ticker symbol “FCBP”.
First Choice Bank’s website 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, changes in interest rates, legislative/regulatory changes, monetary and fiscal policies of the United Sates government including policies of the United States Treasury and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve Bank, the quality and composition of the loan and securities portfolios, demand for loan products, deposit flows, demand for financial services in our market area, implementation of new technologies, our ability to develop and maintain secure and reliable electronic systems, changes in accounting principles, policies and guidelines, 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 and First Choice Bancorp undertake 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.