1St Century Bancshares, Inc. (FCTY) SEC Filing 10-K Annual report for the fiscal year ending Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Exhibit 99.1

Contact Information:

Alan I. Rothenberg

Chairman/Chief Executive Officer

Phone: (310) 270-9501

Jason P. DiNapoli

President/Chief Operating Officer

Phone: (310) 270-9505

1ST CENTURY BANCSHARES, INC. REPORTS FINANCIAL RESULTS FOR 2008

Los Angeles, — March 10, 2009

“Throughout the year we had one primary objective — to protect our customers and shareholders in this time of unprecedented uncertainty for the financial markets and the U.S. economy,” said Alan I. Rothenberg, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of 1st Century Bancshares. “Our strong balance sheet combined with one of the highest risk-based capital ratios in our peer group without needing to access TARP Capital will provide us with the strength to weather this economic cycle.”

2008 Fourth Quarter Highlights

·                  The Bank’s total risk-based capital ratio was 22.61% at December 31, 2008, which is above the regulatory standard of 10.00% for “well-capitalized” financial institutions.

·                  As of December 31, 2008, total assets were $259.4 million, an increase of 15.9% from December 31, 2007 and 1.8% from September 30, 2008.

·                  Gross loans increased to $200.0 million, an increase of $27.6 million or 16.0% from December 31, 2007 and $4.1 million or 2.1% from September 30, 2008.

·                  As of December 31, 2008, the allowance for loan losses was $5.2 million or 2.59% of gross loans compared to $2.9 million or 1.49% of gross loans at September 30, 2008.

·                  Provision for loan losses was $3.6 million for the fourth quarter of 2008 compared to $281,000 for the third quarter of 2008.

·                  Non-interest bearing demand deposits increased to $40.3 million, an increase of 23.2% from December 31, 2007.