First California Bank, National Mercantile to Merge

FCB Bancorp, parent of First California Bank, and National Mercantile Bancorp which operates Mercantile National Bank and South Bay Bank N.A., have inked a merger deal in a stock swap. The deal, subject to various approvals, is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2006. First California Bank, based in Camarillo, has locations in Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village, Simi Valley, Ventura and Oxnard and several locations in Orange County. The bank operates its commercial mortgage group from offices in Sherman Oaks. Mercantile, based in Century City, also operates a regional location in Encino.