IRVINE, Calif. – June 1, 2011 – Opus Bank announced today that the U.S. Small Business Administration (“SBA”) reconfirmed Opus Bank’s Preferred Lender status under the SBA’s Preferred Lender Program (“PLP”). As a Preferred Lender, Opus Bank internally underwrites and approves SBA loans, thereby expediting the loan approval process. The Preferred Lender Program is only open to lenders who have demonstrated an efficiency and proficiency in processi g and servicing small business loans. The Preferred Lender Program is the highest lending designation awarded by the SBA.

Opus Bank offers SBA 504, 7(a), Express and Patriot Express loans to qualified commercial borrowers. These loans are available for most business purposes, including the acquisition or expansion of a business, the purchase of commercial real estate, equipment, and inventory; as well as for permanent working capital. The SBA recently increased the loan limits to $5 million for its 504 and 7(a) loan programs and simultaneously increased the limits on the size of eligible businesses. The limits were increased such that business with up to $15 million of tangible net worth and $5 million net income, averaged over the prior two years, are eligible for 504 and 7(a) programs.

Stephen H. Gordon, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Opus Bank, stated, “We are dedicated to putting much needed capital funding and liquidity back into our business communities and the highly coveted Preferred Lender designation allows us to process and fund SBA loans in a significantly shorter timeframe than a typical bank.” Mr. Gordon concluded, “Given the current internally focused and paralyzed state of the banking industry, as well as the rapid consolidation due to bank failures/seizures and mergers, small to mid-sized businesses are finding capital funding difficult to come by. We intend to have an impact and to make a difference. Opus Bank is committed to enabling entrepreneurs and small businesses to grow, expand, enhance revenues, and create new jobs, thereby helping to turn around our local economies in the Western region.”

Dino J. D’Auria, President of Commercial Business Banking, stated, “The SBA’s loan programs that Opus Bank offers are aligned with our vision and commitment to provide capital funding to both small and mid-sized businesses. The SBA’s 504 loan program is specifically designed to encourage economic development within a community by providing small businesses with long- term financing for a variety of purposes, including the construction of new facilities; modernizing, renovating, or converting existing facilities; or the purchase of fixed assets, such as long-term machinery and equipment.” Mr. D’Auria added, “As a Preferred Lender, Opus Bank has demonstrated the ability to process and fund SBA loans quickly. important as the funding itself when a strategic opportunity arises.” This timeliness can be as important as the funding itself when a strategic opportunity arises.”​

About Opus Bank

Opus Bank is an FDIC insured California-chartered commercial bank with $708.0 million of total assets, $182.0 million of total loans, $293.8 million in total deposits, and $399.9 million of total equity, as of March 31, 2011. Opus Bank provides high value, relationship-based banking products and exceptional service to its clients comprised of small and mid-sized commercial businesses, entrepreneurs, real estate investors, high-net-worth individuals, professionals, and consumers. Opus Bank offers a wide range of loan products, including commercial and industrial, commercial real estate, multifamily residential, jumbo single-family residential, consumer loans, and is a Small Business Administration (“SBA”) Preferred Lender. Opus Bank operates banking offices in the communities of Manhattan Beach, Rancho Palos Verdes/San Pedro, Redondo Beach, Rolling Hills Estates, and Torrance, located in Los Angeles County and maintains an executive and administrative office in Irvine, located in Orange County, California. Opus Bank has announced plans to open new banking offices in Encino, Beverly Hills, and West Los Angeles, located in Los Angeles County; Corona del Mar, Newport Coast, and Irvine, located in Orange County; and La Jolla, located in San Diego County California. For additional information about Opus Bank, please visit our website: www.opusbank.com.