American Perspective Bank Announces the Appointment of S. Brett Whitaker to its Board of Directors

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif., July 20, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- American Perspective Bank (OTC Bulletin Board:  APBA) (the "Bank") today announced that S. Brett Whitaker has been appointed as a member of the Bank's Board of Directors.

Mr. Whitaker is a well known local businessman with a thirty year history of owning successful firms in San Luis Obispo County.  He is the founder, majority owner, and chairman of Whitaker Construction Group, Inc., Welco Equipment, and Whitaker Contractors, Inc., all located in Paso Robles, California.  He is also a majority owner of Innovative Housing Solutions, located in Arroyo Grande.  Mr. Whitaker and these firms have successfully completed a broad range of infrastructure projects and real estate developments over the past twenty years, from tunnel and dam improvements to mixed use buildings to affordable housing.  Mr. Whitaker is a graduate of California Polytechnic State University ("Cal Poly") in San Luis Obispo and is also a licensed helicopter pilot.

Mr. Whitaker was one of the initial organizers of the Bank in 2007.  He has continued to be actively involved with the Bank since its inception; as a shareholder, client, and member of the Bank's Shareholders Advisory Circle.

Mr. Whitaker has also been active in local community organizations and events for many years, including the Cal Poly Entrepreneurial Leadership Award Program, the San Luis Obispo County Builders Exchange Board, and various community services district boards.

Mr. Whitaker stated:  "I look forward to even more extensively supporting the Bank as a director.  I've been impressed with the mission and vision of the Bank from its very earliest stages.  The Bank's focus on providing customized financial solutions, advanced technology, and a concierge level of service to businesses and professionals is an excellent strategy that has propelled the Bank to its many successes to date."  Mr. Whitaker then added:  "As the owner of a significant investment in the Bank's common stock, I also look forward to supporting the shareholder value orientation exhibited by the Board of Directors since the Bank's opening for business in 2007."

Regarding Mr. Whitaker's appointment to the Bank's Board of Directors, Thomas J. Madden, Chairman of the Board, commented:  "Mr. Whitaker is a successful, self-made businessperson; and we are both proud and fortunate to have him join the Board of Directors.  With his longstanding ties to the Central Coast region and his detailed knowledge of local real estate markets, Mr. Whitaker will be a valuable addition."

Michael D. Bouquet, the Bank's Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors, then added:  "Mr. Whitaker's becoming available to join the Board so soon after the Bank opened its new loan production office in Paso Robles was propitious.  We are aiming to develop a sufficiently large client base in north San Luis Obispo County to financially facilitate the conversion and relocation of the loan production office into a full service branch.  Having such a well known additional director in the north County market will likely accelerate our timeframe for opening a branch office in Paso Robles that mirrors the very well received branch facility we've had open in Santa Maria for about a year."

The Bank's target markets are commercial enterprises, professionals, real estate investors, family business entities, and residents in San Luis Obispo County and northern Santa Barbara County.  The San Luis Obispo branch office is located at 4051 Broad Street, Suite 140, San Luis Obispo, California, near the intersection of Broad Street (Highway 227) and Tank Farm Road.  The Santa Maria branch office is located at 2646 Santa Maria Way, Suite 101, Santa Maria, California, near the intersection of Santa Maria Way and Broadway.  The Paso Robles loan production office is located at 720 10th Street in downtown Paso Robles.  The Bank's deposits are insured by the FDIC up to applicable legal limits.

Certain of the statements contained herein that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act.  Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words or phrases such as "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "estimate," "target," "plans," "may increase," "may fluctuate," "may result in," "are projected," and similar expressions.  The Bank's actual results may differ materially from those included in the forward-looking statements.  These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, the economic, business, and real estate market conditions in the Bank's market areas, the interest rate environment, competition, regulatory and legislative actions, the possibility that the Bank will not be successful in achieving its strategic objectives, the performance and contributions of employees and directors, and other factors.  The Bank does not undertake, and specifically disclaims any obligation, to update any forward-looking statements to reflect occurrences or unanticipated events or circumstances after the date of such statements.

This news release is available at the www.AmericanPerspectiveBank.com Internet site for no charge.

SOURCE American Perspective Bank