SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA BANCORP AND CALIFORNIA BANCORP ANNOUNCE RECEIPT OF REGULATORY APPROVAL FOR MERGER OF EQUALS

San Diego, Calif. and Oakland, Calif., May 13, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Southern California Bancorp (Nasdaq: BCAL) and California BanCorp (Nasdaq: CALB) announce they have received required regulatory approvals from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco necessary to complete their previously announced merger of equals between the two bank holding companies and their respective subsidiaries, Bank of Southern California, N.A., and California Bank of Commerce. Under the terms of the agreement, dated January 30, 2024, California BanCorp will merge with and into Southern California Bancorp. The consummation of the proposed transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2024, subject to the satisfaction of the remaining closing conditions set forth in the merger agreement, including receipt of the requisite shareholder approvals.

“We are pleased to announce the receipt of these regulatory approvals for the proposed merger of these two outstanding banks, as it represents an important milestone on our merger timeline,” said David Rainer, Chairman and CEO of Southern California Bancorp and Bank of Southern California.

“With the receipt of these regulatory approvals, we are one step closer to the merger of these two exceptional companies that we believe will result in the premier statewide commercial banking franchise in California,” said Steve Shelton, Chief Executive Officer of California BanCorp.

ABOUT SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA BANCORP AND BANK OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, N.A.

Southern California Bancorp (NASDAQ: BCAL) is a registered bank holding company headquartered in San Diego, California. Bank of Southern California, N.A., a national banking association chartered under the laws of the United States (the “Bank”) and regulated by the Office of Comptroller of the Currency, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Southern California Bancorp. Established in 2001 and headquartered in San Diego, California, the Bank offers a range of financial products and services to individuals, professionals, and small- to medium-sized businesses through its 13 branch offices serving Orange, Los Angeles, Riverside, San Diego, and Ventura counties, as well as the Inland Empire. The Bank's solutions-driven, relationship-based approach to banking provides accessibility to decision makers and enhances value through strong partnerships with its clients. Additional information is available at www.banksocal.com.