California Oaks State Bank Names Industry Veteran John Nerland President and Chief Executive Officer.

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. -- California Oaks State Bank (OTCBB:COSB) announced that John A. Nerland has joined the bank as President and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Nerland brings more than 20 years of community banking experience in California and a vision of building California Oaks State Bank (Cal Oaks) into the premier business bank in Ventura County.

"Cal Oaks offers a unique and exciting opportunity to take a bank with a solid foundation, develop innovative products tailored to business banking customers, and create a powerful community resource," said Mr. Nerland, President and CEO. "The bank's team is entrenched in the community and focused on serving our solid client base. The key to future success is to expand programs with existing customers and bring on more business relationships."

Mr. Nerland was previously President and CEO of Solano Bank (Vacaville, CA) and Chief Credit Officer of The Vintage Bank (Napa, CA), both owned by Northbay Bancorp, prior to its acquisition by Umpqua Holding Corp. (UMPQ). Additionally, Mr. Nerland held executive positions with Civic Bank of Commerece and WestAmerica Bank (WABC).

"John's success in taking a start-up bank and building it into a leading financial institution, combined with his expertise in creating a dynamic growth culture while preserving the dedication to the bank's clients and surrounding communities, are essential to Cal Oaks' next stage of growth," said Cal Oaks' Board Chairman, Robert E. Lewis.

Mr. Nerland has been an active member in the communities he has worked, including serving on the Vacaville Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors as Chairman, the Sutter Solano Medical Foundation Board of Trustees as Chairman, and the Vacaville Rotary Club as a board member. Mr. Nerland earned his bachelor's degree in finance from Arizona State University and his master's degree in marketing from San Francisco State University.

California Oaks State Bank, with total assets of $108 million, was founded in 1998 and is a locally-owned community bank. Its locations in Thousand Oaks and Simi Valley serve both business and professional services customers. The bank provides a full range of products and services including commercial and real estate loans as well as cash management products and deposit services. Its unique capability in diversified lending in addition to its customary community bank credit products help its customers meets their cash management goals. The bank has earned a reputation for its expertise in commercial real estate financing, accounts receivable financing, as well as SBA loans. For additional information, visit www.caloaks.com.