Center Bank Expands Operations with Branch Opening in Diamond Bar.

LOS ANGELES -- Center Financial Corporation (NASDAQ: CLFC), the holding company of Center Bank, today announced the opening of its full-service branch in Diamond Bar, California. The company named Ms. Young Wang as the branch manager of Center Bank's 19th full-service office, located at 2809 S. Diamond Bar Blvd., Diamond Bar, California 91765, telephone [phone].

"This branch opening continues our expansion into underserved markets for which our bank's offerings are especially suited," said Jae Whan (J.W.) Yoo, president and chief executive officer. "Diamond Bar has experienced remarkable growth in its Asian-American community over several decades, with a strong presence of thriving Asian-owned businesses in need of tailored commercial banking services. We look forward to building on our reputation as a premier provider of financial services among the diverse ethnic communities of Diamond Bar.

"We are gratified to open our newest branch in Diamond Bar under the leadership of Young, who brings more than 30 years of experience in commercial banking to Center Bank. Her background in community banking and experience at national banking institutions allows us to continue to provide our customers with exceptional service while retaining the specialized approach our customers expect," Yoo said.

Most recently, Wang served as vice president and business relationship manager of HSBC Bank in Diamond Bar where she was responsible for developing and strengthening relationships with local business owners. Previously, Wang was small business specialist and assistant vice president at the Rowland Heights branch of Bank of America where she was the leader in a region of 70 small business specialists, achieving 120% of goal in small business and commercial real estate lending. Wang began her banking career in the Los Angeles area more than three decades ago as a consumer loan officer at Crocker National Bank and was promoted to roles of increasing responsibilities, including positions at California Korea Bank and Amity Commercial Financial Lender. Wang received her bachelor's degree from California State University, Los Angeles.

About Center Financial Corporation

Center Financial Corporation is the holding company of Center Bank, a community bank offering a full range of financial services for diverse ethnic and small business customers. Founded in 1986 and specializing in commercial and SBA loans and trade finance products, Center Bank has grown to be one of the nation's largest financial institutions focusing on the Korean-American community, with total assets of $2.1 billion at December 31, 2007. Headquartered in Los Angeles, Center Bank operates 27 branch and loan production offices. Of the company's 19 full-service branches, 16 are located throughout Southern California, along with one branch in Chicago and two in Seattle. Center Bank's eight loan production offices are strategically located in Seattle, Denver, Washington D.C., Las Vegas, Atlanta, Dallas, Houston and Northern California. Center Bank is a California state-chartered institution and its deposits are insured by the FDIC to the extent provided by law. For additional information on Center Bank, visit the company's Web site at www.centerbank.com.

This release contains forward-looking statements, which are included in accordance with the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the successful operations of the company's Diamond Bar branch. The forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve significant risks and uncertainties, and actual results and performance in future periods may be materially different from any future results or performance suggested by the forward-looking statements in this release. Factors that might cause such differences include, but are not limited to, those identified in our cautionary statements contained in Center Financial Corp.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007 (See Business, and Management's Discussion and Analysis), and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) are incorporated herein by reference. These factors include, but are not limited to: competition in the financial services market for both deposits and loans; the ability of Center Financial and its subsidiaries to increase its customer base; changes in interest rates; new litigation or changes or adverse developments in existing litigation; and regional and general economic conditions. Such forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this release. Center Financial expressly disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements found herein to reflect any changes in the company's expectations of results or any change in events.