Blankenhorn Reports Record Earnings for American Security Bank.

SANTA ANA, Calif. -- President David T. Blankenhorn announced today that American Security Bank (formerly Sun Country Bank) has achieved record growth and reported record earnings for the six months ending June 30, 2005.

American Security Bank proudly reported record growth and record earnings for the first six months of 2005. Assets increased to $356.8 million at June 30, 2005. This represents an increase of $29.7 million, or 9.1% compared to a year ago. Net loans increased to $285.3 million at the end of the most recent quarter, representing an increase of $71.9 million, or 33.7% over the last 12 months.

For the first six months of this year, American Security Bank generated net earnings of $3.1 million. This represents a 76.2% increase over the same six-month period last year. The increase in earnings is primarily the result of increased interest income generated from the increase in loans. In addition, non-interest income for the first half of 2005 was 41.2% greater than the same six-month period last year.

The bank met several corporate initiatives during the first half of the year. They successfully completed a name change, from Sun Country Bank to American Security Bank, on June 1, 2005. "The new name lends itself to the bank's vision of an expanding franchise that will encompass not only the high desert, but new offices in Orange County and the Inland Empire," stated Blankenhorn. "The name Sun Country Bank was a strong name in the desert communities where we had our roots, but American Security Bank broadens our geographic appeal," he continued.

Also in June, American Security Bank moved its headquarters office from Upland to Santa Ana and entered Riverside County with the opening of an Inland Empire loan production office in Corona. "Corona is one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation, and represents tremendous opportunity for the bank," stated Blankenhorn. The bank is also in the process of negotiating for space to move their marketing and loan administration functions into Corona.

In August of this year, the bank will open a loan production office in Newport Beach to house its continually expanding Real Estate Lending Division. Orange County is also home to two of the Bank's six branch offices. American Security Bank has a branch in Santa Ana, where seasoned Orange County business banker Shirley Wentzel, formerly of US Bank, has been hired as manager. The second business banking office is located in Laguna Niguel and is managed by Carole Bowman.

The bank's strong performance during the first half of the year strongly positions them for record performance throughout 2005. "We'll continue to strengthen the franchise," stated Blankenhorn. He continued, "This will be accomplished through key hires, such as the newest addition to our management team, Dolly Nugent, senior vice president, compliance officer, who came to us from Citizens Business Bank, and through the enhancement of product lines and delivery systems."

American Security Bank operates in Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino and Riverside counties. They have six full-service banking offices in Santa Ana, Laguna Niguel, Upland, Apple Valley, Lancaster and Victorville.

Forward-Looking Comments: Statements concerning future performance, developments or events, expectations for growth and income forecasts, and any other guidance on future periods, constitute forward-looking statements that are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from stated expectations. Specific factors include, but are not limited to, loan production, balance sheet management, expanded net interest margin, the ability to control costs and expenses, interest rate changes and financial policies of the United States government, and general economic conditions. The company disclaims any obligation to update any such factors or to publicly announce the results of any revisions to any forward-looking statements contained in this release to reflect future events or developments.