First Commercial Bancorp Inc. Announces Earnings.

SACRAMENTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 15, 1996--First Commercial Bancorp Inc. ("FCB") (NASDAQ Small Cap: FCOB), a bank holding company headquartered in Sacramento, reported net income of $15,000 for the quarter ended June 30, 1996, compared to a net loss of $4.24 million for the same period in 1995.

Due to the issuance of additional common stock in connection with the previously reported recapitalization, completed in December 1995, and a rights offering to shareholders, completed in June 1996, the net income per share for the quarter ended June 30, 1996 was nil (based on 87,922,000 average shares outstanding), compared with a net loss per share of $0.91 per share (based on 4,675,000 average shares outstanding), for the comparable period in 1995. For the six months ended June 30, 1996, FCB reported a net loss of $1.15 million, $.01 per share (based on 78,799,000 average shares outstanding), compared to a net loss of $5.28 million, or $1.13 per share (based on 4,675,000 average shares outstanding), for the comparable period in 1995.

Donald W. Williams, chairman of the board and president of FCB, stated: "FCB has attained another significant milestone in its return to financial strength. The recapitalization of FCB in 1995 and the stock offering to shareholders completed earlier in 1996 were major accomplishments in establishing the capital strength needed to rebuild the organization.

"But the company also must generate net income for its future growth and stability. While the income for the second quarter is not impressive to those of us who have witnessed the struggles of FCB in recent years, it marks another major accomplishment by the employees, management and directors of FCB toward the recovery which is occurring within the company. This has been a cooperative effort in which all involved, including FCB's employees, stockholders, customers and community should all feel a sense of pride."

In June 1996, FCB completed its previously announced offering of shares of its common stock to its stockholders with the sale of 29,657,000 shares of stock for $2.97 million and the exchange of 6,433,000 shares of stock for its obligation to certain stockholders for dividends which had been declared, but not paid in 1992. This offering provided $3.24 million of new capital to FCB, after deducting the related offering expenses. Consequently, FCB and its subsidiary, First Commercial Bank ("FC Bank") had total stockholders' equity of $5.63 million and $12.06 million respectively, which, resulted in regulatory capital ratios at June 30, 1996 of: -0-

                                               First
                                FCB          Commercial

Leverage capital               3.69%            7.89%
Tier 1 risk-based capital      5.44%           11.65%
Total risk-based capital       6.74%           12.95%

    Nonperforming assets, consisting of loans on nonaccrual status
and foreclosed property, were $3.32 million, or 3.73% of loans and
foreclosed property at June 30, 1996, compared to $5.91 million, or
7.83% of loans and foreclosed property, at Dec. 31, 1995 and
$7.6 million, or 7.71% of loans and foreclosed property at June 30,
1995.
    Loans past due over 90 days and still accruing were $862,000,
$2.25 million and nil at June 30, 1996, Dec. 31, 1995 and June 30,
1995, respectively.  Indicative of the improved asset quality, the
reserve for possible loan losses was $5.3 million at June 30, 1996,
or 159.9% of nonperforming loans and foreclosed real estate,
compared to $5.3 million and 91.4% at Dec. 31, 1995 and $4.8 million
and 62.8% at June 30, 1995, respectively.
    James E. Culleton, president and chief operating officer at FC
Bank, added: "FCB continues to have a larger amount of problem assets
than we would like.  However, the current levels of problem assets
represent what we believe is a manageable amount for FCB, in the
context of its present reserve and capital position.
    "The reductions which have occurred in the past year have been
substantial, but have required almost total attention of management
during that time.  The amount of problem assets has now been reduced
to a level which has allowed us to refocus more of our efforts to
our business development and community service activities.  This
will contribute to the future of FCB by rebuilding its customer base
and improving its earnings base."
-0-

                     First Commercial Bancorp, Inc.
                           Financial Summary
                (In thousands, except net loss per share)

                              Three Months Ended   Six Months Ended
                                   June 30,            June 30,
Condensed Consolidated
  Statements of Income         1996       1995     1996       1995

Net Interest Income         $ 1,805     $1,967   $2,984     $4,291
Provision for loan losses       450      3,245    1,050      3,245
Net income (loss)                15     (4,241)  (1,145)    (5,280)
Net income (loss) per share    0.00      (0.91)   (0.01)     (1.13)
Weighted average common shares
  and common Share equivalents
  outstanding                87,922      4,675   78,799      4,675

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet Information
                               06-30-96       12-31-95     06-30-95

Assets                         $151,814       $169,535     $179,985
Deposits                        137,343        156,164      176,853
Loans                            87,804         74,015       95,310
Allowance for loan losses         5,303          5,388        4,817
Stockholders' equity              5,630          3,579         (398)
Nonperforming assets              3,315          5,906        7,644

CONTACT: First Commercial Bancorp Inc., Sacramento

Donald W. Williams, 916/641-3288

or

First Commercial Bank, Sacramento

James E. Culleton, 916/641-3288