First Commerce Bancorp Reports Record First Quarter Earnings.

ENCINO, Calif. -- First Commerce Bancorp (OTCBB:FCCC) today announced net income on a consolidated basis for the three months ended March 31, 2006 of $693,000, or $0.09 per share ($0.08 per share on a diluted basis) compared to $557,000 for the same period last year, an improvement of 24%.

Assets at March 31, 2006 were $243,970,000, up $12,374,000 or 5% from year end and $23,301,000 or 11% over the same period last year.

Deposits and net loans were $219,153,000 and $170,315,000, respectively, up 10% and 11% over the same period last year.

According to Jack Feldman, First Commerce Bancorp's President and CEO, the 24% improvement in net income as compared to the same period in the prior year is both the result of increasing interest rates and continuing successful business development programs.

First Commerce Bancorp is located at 16861 Ventura Boulevard, Encino, CA. First Commerce Bancorp's primary subsidiary, First Commerce Bank, is an independent community bank with its main office at 16861 Ventura Boulevard, Encino, CA and regional offices in Los Angeles and Glendale, CA. The Bank has been designated a Super Premier Performing Bank for the past four years by The Findley Reports, an independent service which rates the financial performance of California banks. The Bancorp's stock trades on the Over The Counter Bulletin Board (OTCBB) under the symbol FCCC.

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, 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.