1st Century Bank, N.A. Announces Strong Loan Growth and Margin Expansion for the Quarter Ended September 30, 2006.

LOS ANGELES -- 1st Century Bank, N.A. ("1st Century") (OTCBB: FCNA) announced today that strong loan growth and an expanding net interest margin provided an increase in the third quarter net interest income.

Net income for the three months ended September 30, 2006 was $12,000 compared to a loss of $599,000 during the same period last year, which represents an improvement of $611,000. Net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 was $736,000, which is a significant improvement to the net loss of $1,753,000 recorded for the same period last year.

Net interest income was $2.3 million compared to $1.4 million for the three month periods ended September 30, 2006 and 2005 respectively, which represents an increase of $0.9 million or 64.3%. Net interest income for the nine month periods ended September 30, 2006 and 2005 was $6.5 million and $3.1 million, respectively, representing a $3.4 million or a 109.7% increase. The significant increase in net interest income for both the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2006 from the prior year was primarily due to the effects of higher interest rates and higher average balances of interest earning assets outstanding.

The quarterly net interest margin expanded 116 basis points to 5.44% from 4.28% comparing the three month periods ended September 30, 2006 and 2005 respectively. For the nine month periods ended September 30, 2006 and 2005, the net interest margin was 5.08% and 3.80% respectively. The increases in both the three and nine months were primarily due to increases in the average balances of loans and mortgage backed securities as a percentage of total earning assets and increases in the interest rates associated with our loan and investment portfolios. Should the significant loan growth continue and the need for high cost funding sources persist, the net interest margin may contract.

Expenses incurred for Sarbanes Oxley 404 compliance and one time fees paid for two key executive searches conducted in the quarter represented the primary variance from the net income of $450,000 achieved in the previous quarter. The cost associated with the requirements of Sarbanes Oxley 404 compliance will continue into the subsequent quarter due to our initial year of adoption.

BALANCE SHEET HIGHLIGHTS (for periods ended September 30, 2006,
 compared to December 31, 2005):

-- Total assets grew 9.8% or $15.8 million to $177.4 million from
   $161.6 million.

-- Total net loans outstanding increased 37.8% or $32.1 million to
   $117.1 million from $85.0 million.

-- Deposits grew 5.0% or $5.4 million to $112.5 million from
   $107.1 million

-- Non-interest bearing deposits of $25.3 million represented 22.5%
   of total deposits

-- Credit quality remained strong with no non-performing loans at
   September 30, 2006.

-- The Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses represented 1.28% of total
   outstanding loans.

Total assets increased 9.8% or $15.8 million during the first nine months of 2006, from $161.6 million to $177.1 million. Total net loans outstanding outpaced all other asset categories increasing 37.8% or $32.1 million during the first nine months of 2006 to $117.1 million. With the strong loan demand outpacing deposit growth, the Bank reflected $9.5 million of overnight Federal Home Loan Bank Borrowings. The level of non-interest bearing deposits was $25.3 million, or 22.5% of total deposits at September 30, 2006.

1st Century is a full service bank headquartered in the Century City area of Los Angeles, California. 1st Century's primary focus is relationship banking to family owned and closely held middle market businesses, professional service firms and high net worth individuals, real estate investors and entrepreneurs. Additional information is available at www.1stcenturybank.com.

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain matters discussed in this letter constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward looking statements relate to 1st Century's current expectations regarding deposit and loan growth, operating results and the strength of the local economy. These forward looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed, suggested or implied by the forward looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: (1) the impact of changes in interest rates, a decline in economic conditions and increased competition among financial service providers on 1st Century's operating results, ability to attract deposit and loan customers and the quality of 1st Century's earning assets; (2) government regulation; and (3) the other risks set forth in 1st Century's reports filed with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, including its Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 2005. 1st Century does not undertake, and specifically disclaims, any obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect occurrences or unanticipated events or circumstances after the date of such statements.