LOS ANGELES, CA--(Marketwired - Apr 22, 2014) - ProAmérica Bank (OTCQB: PMRA) is proud to announce that Founding Organizer/Director Maria S. Salinas was appointed by her fellow Directors to lead the Board as Chairwoman. ProAmérica Bank has been fortunate to have a strong, qualified Board of Directors -- many of whom are founding organizers. Fellow Director Edward P. Roski, Chairman of Majestic Realty, shared, "Maria Salinas' strong financial acumen and experience as a CPA, combined with her commitment and leadership in the community, give her insights into our target market and provide her with the firsthand knowledge to build on the mission of ProAmérica Bank. The Directors look forward to her professional discipline and leadership on the Board."

Maria Salinas succeeds Founding Chairwoman Maria Contreras-Sweet who was sworn into office on April 7th by Vice President Joe Biden. President Obama kicked-off the ceremony with strong statements of support for the newest member of his economic advisory team, "She knows first-hand the challenges that small businesses go through...as Founder of ProAmérica Bank she supported Latino entrepreneurs throughout Los Angeles." Contreras-Sweet now joins President Obama's cabinet as the Administrator of the United States Small Business Administration (SBA). Vice President Biden, who conducted the official swearing in and oath of office confirmed her qualifications, "I have every confidence in the world that you'll do everything in your power to give all of America's small businesses and entrepreneurs the chance that they dream of."

President and CEO L. Bruce Mills, Jr. said, "The Directors and staff join me in wishing Founding Chairwoman Maria Contreras-Sweet success in driving our nation's efforts to support small business growth. In her new role, Maria Contreras-Sweet is required to relinquish her involvement in ProAmérica Bank and resign as Executive Chairwoman. However, we know that she will be championing all businesses across the nation, including the many we serve here at ProAmérica Bank. The Executive Management team and I share the highest regard for newly-appointed Chairwoman Maria Salinas and her commitment to the Bank's mission."

"I am honored to serve as Chairwoman of ProAmérica Bank and look forward to continuing to build on the strong corporate infrastructure, systems and programs that have been established. I believe wholeheartedly in the founding mission and will continue to work diligently with the Board and management to ensure that we effectively and professionally deliver access to capital and quality banking to the community," said Maria S. Salinas. 

Maria Salinas is President and Founder of Salinas Consulting, LLC, a finance and accounting project management firm. Salinas is a Certified Public Accountant and experienced finance professional with expertise in leading organizations in financial planning & reporting, controls & compliance, and general accounting matters. Salinas Consulting finance professionals serve clients that include major corporations in Southern California. Prior to launching her business in 2006, Salinas held financial leadership roles at The Walt Disney Company for nearly 11 years. She also developed public accounting experience working with Ernst & Young, LLP. In addition to serving as Director of ProAmérica Bank since its inception, Salinas serves on the Board of Directors at Los Angeles Universal Preschool (LAUP) and at the National Council of La Raza (NCLR), and is a Regent at Loyola Marymount University.

About ProAmérica Bank

ProAmérica Bank provides a full range of financial services, including credit and deposit products, cash management, and internet banking for businesses and high net worth individuals from its headquarters office at 888 West Sixth Street, Second Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90017. Information on products and services may be obtained by calling (213) 613-5000 or visiting the Bank's website at www.proamericabank.com.

NOTE:
This news release contains statements that are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about ProAmérica Bank's business based, in part, on assumptions made by management. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in such forward-looking statements due to numerous factors, including those described above and the following: ProAmérica Bank's timely implementation of new products and services, technological changes, changes in consumer spending and savings habits and other risks discussed from time to time in ProAmérica Bank's reports and filings with banking regulatory agencies. In addition, such statements could be affected by general industry and market conditions and growth rates, and general domestic and international economic conditions. Such forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and ProAmérica Bank does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release.