Santa Paula, CA. May 5, 2009- Santa Clara Valley Bank (SCVBank; OTC BB: SCVE.OB) today announced that Mr. Ralph DeLeon has been elected Chairman of the Board. DeLeon replaces Mr. Guy E. Cole, who has served as Chairman for the past two years. He will continue to serve as a Director of the Bank. Additionally, Mr. Elias Valdes has been selected as Vice Chairman.

In the spirit and tradition of community based organizations, the SCVBank Board has customarily rotated the leadership of the Board.

President and CEO Michael Hause commented, “I have known Mr. DeLeon for over 27 years, and he has been a leader in many fields and endeavors. Ralph is well suited to lead SCVBank into the future.”

After managing several grower and harvesting companies, DeLeon formed SAMCO, which provided custom harvesting services for growers in California, Arizona, Hawaii, Florida and The Bahamas.

DeLeon has been honored as a Kellog Fellow of the Agricultural Leadership Program. He has served as Director of Fruit Growers Laboratory, Associates Insectary, Santa Paula Chamber of Commerce, Boys and Girls Club of the Santa Clara Valley, the Ventura Chapter of the American Cancer Society, and Agricultural Producers.

DeLeon was a commissioner of the Private Industry Council in Ventura; appointed by the Director of the California Employment Department to the Agricultural Employment Forum; appointed by the U. S. Secretary of Agriculture to The Hass Avocado Commission; and appointed by the President of the University of California to the President’s Advisory Commission on Agriculture and Natural Resources.

In addition, Deleon helped 65 farm worker families with home ownership in Santa Paula. He served in the U.S. Army 1963-65.

Incoming Chairman DeLeon stated, “These are unprecedented times for the banking industry. Considering the melee that continues to plague banks both large and small, I am all the more proud of the superior performance and conservative approach demonstrated by SCVBank. “

DeLeon continued, “SCVBank’s future looks bright and I am excited to be a part of it.”

Hause praised outgoing Chairman Cole for his leadership, “Under Guy Cole’s leadership, the Bank experienced significant growth in terms of assets and loans.”

Outgoing Chairman Cole reflected, “It was an honor and a privilege to serve as the Bank’s Chairman for the past several years. The silver lining of the economic downturn was that it gave opportunity for SCVBank to stand out among the banking community.”

Founded in 1998, SCVBank currently operates three branches in Santa Paula, Fillmore, and Valencia. Under its stock symbol of SCVE.OB, SCVBank's stock is traded through McAdams Wright Ragen, Howe Barnes Hofer & Arnett, and Monroe Securities. The Bank's web site is www.SCVBank.com.

SCVBank Corporate Headquarters
901 East Main Street
Santa Paula, California 93060
805-525-1999

Statements concerning future performance, developments or events concerning expectations for growth and market forecasts, and any other guidance on future periods, constitute forward looking statements that are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from stated expectations. Specific factors include, but are not limited to, the effect of interest rate changes, the ability to control costs and expenses, the impact of consolidation in the banking industry, financial policies of the United States government, and general economic conditions.