FCTY 1ST Century Bancshares,

1st Century Bank, N.A. (the “Bank”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of 1st Century Bancshares, Inc. (the “Company”) (NASDAQ:FCTY), today announced that Jason DiNapoli, President and CEO of 1st Century Bank, is a semifinalist for the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2016 Greater Los Angeles Region Award. Now celebrating its 30th year, the awards program recognizes entrepreneurs in over 145 cities and 60 countries who demonstrate excellence and extraordinary success in such areas as innovation, financial performance and personal commitment to their businesses and communities. Jason DiNapoli was selected as a semifinalist by a panel of independent judges. Finalists will be announced Monday, May 9, and winners will be announced at a black-tie Awards Gala on Tuesday, June 21, with more than 700 Founders, CEOs and other business leaders in attendance, at the Beverly Hilton hotel in Beverly Hills, California.

“I am honored to be named a semifinalist for the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Award,” said Mr. DiNapoli.  “This awards program recognizes so many of the qualities that I have tried to incorporate into my career in banking: being innovative; overcoming challenges; taking prudent risks; and building and leading a successful organization. I am proud to have 1st Century Bank represented in this awards program and I look forward to hearing about the success stories of my fellow semifinalists.”

Regional award winners are eligible for consideration for the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year National Awards. Award winners in several national categories, as well as the overall national award winner, will be announced at the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year National Awards gala in Palm Springs, California, on November 19, 2016. The awards gala is the culminating event of the EY Strategic Growth Forum®, the nation’s most prestigious gathering of high-growth, market-leading companies.

Follow all the latest program developments @EY_EOYUS using #EOYGLA and visit the Greater Los Angeles regional website for more information: www.ey.com/us/eoy/greaterla.

About 1st Century Bancshares, Inc.

1st Century Bancshares, Inc. is a publicly owned company traded on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol “FCTY.” The Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, 1st Century Bank, N.A., is headquartered in the Century City area of Los Angeles, with a full service business bank in Century City, CA, and relationship offices in Santa Monica and Beverly Hills, CA. The Bank’s primary focus is serving the specific banking needs of entrepreneurs, professionals and small businesses with the personal service of a traditional community bank. The Company maintains a website at www.1cbank.com. By including the foregoing website address link, the Company does not intend to and shall not be deemed to incorporate by reference any material contained therein.

About EY Entrepreneur Of The Year®

EY Entrepreneur Of The Year is the world’s most prestigious business award for entrepreneurs. The unique award makes a difference through the way it encourages entrepreneurial activity among those with potential and recognizes the contribution of people who inspire others with their vision, leadership and achievement. As the first and only truly global award of its kind, Entrepreneur Of The Year celebrates those who are building and leading successful, growing and dynamic businesses, recognizing them through regional, national and global awards programs in more than 145 cities in more than 60 countries.

About EY’s Strategic Growth Markets practice

EY’s Strategic Growth Markets (SGM) practice guides leading high-growth companies. Our multidisciplinary teams of elite professionals provide perspective and advice to help our clients accelerate market leadership. SGM delivers assurance, tax, transactions and advisory services to thousands of companies spanning all industries. EY is the undisputed leader in taking companies public, advising key government agencies on the issues impacting high-growth companies and convening the experts who shape the business climate. For more information, please visit us at ey.com/us/strategicgrowthmarkets, or follow news on Twitter @EY_Growth.

About EY

EY is a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services. The insights and quality services we deliver help build trust and confidence in the capital markets and in economies the world over. We develop outstanding leaders who team to deliver on our promises to all of our stakeholders. In so doing, we play a critical role in building a better working world for our people, for our clients and for our communities.

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Contact Information:

Tammy Levine
Marketing Officer
Phone: (310) 270-9502