First Commerce Bancorp Reports Strong Third Quarter Profits.

ENCINO, Calif. -- First Commerce Bancorp (OTCBB:FCCC) today announced that net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2005, was $1,869,000, or $0.25 per share ($0.23 per share on a diluted basis). This compares to the Company's results of operations of $1,260,000 for the first nine months of 2004, or $0.17 per share ($0.14 per share on a diluted basis), an increase of $609,000, or 48%. Net income for the quarter ended September 30, 2005, was $702,000, or $0.09 per share ($0.07 per share on a diluted basis), compared to net income of $521,000, or $0.07 per share ($0.06 per share on a diluted basis), for the same period last year.

Assets at September 30, 2005, were $239,578,000, an increase of $37,592,000 over the year ended December 31, 2004, and up $39,622,000, or 20%, as compared to First Commerce Bancorp-related totals at September 30, 2004.

Deposits and loans, net of deferred fees, at September 30, 2005, were $216,382,000 and $154,020,000, up, respectively, 20% and 1% as compared to September 30, 2004.

According to Jack Feldman, First Commerce Bancorp's President and CEO, the 48% improvement in net income over the prior year is the result of continued strong business development and the six increases in the prime rate.

Feldman also announced that First Commerce Bank will open a new full-service regional office in Glendale during the fourth quarter.

First Commerce Bancorp is located at 16861 Ventura Boulevard, Encino. First Commerce Bancorp's primary subsidiary, First Commerce Bank, is an independent community bank, with its main office at 16861 Ventura Boulevard, Encino, and a regional office in the Brentwood area of Los Angeles. The Bank has been designated a Super Premier Performing Bank for the past three years by the Findley Reports, an independent performance benchmarking service for California banks. Also Bauer Financial, a national bank rating service, has recommended the Bank as a 5-star superior institution. 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.