Exhibit 99.1

California BanCorp Reports Financial Results for the Second Quarter and

Six Months Ended June 30, 2021

Oakland, CA – July 29, 2021 – California BanCorp (NASDAQ: CALB), whose subsidiary is California Bank of Commerce, announced today its financial results for the second quarter and six months ended June 30, 2021.

The Company reported net income of $4.2 million for the second quarter of 2021, representing an increase of $1.4 million, or 48%, compared to $2.8 million for the first quarter of 2021 and an increase of $2.6 million, or 169%, compared to $1.6 million in the second quarter of 2020. For the six months ended June 30, 2021, net income was $7.0 million representing an increase of $5.0 million, or 245%, compared to $2.0 million for the same period in 2020.

Diluted per share earnings of $0.50 for the second quarter of 2021 compared to $0.34 for the first quarter of 2021 and $0.19 in the second quarter of 2020. For the six months ended June 30, 2021, diluted per share earnings of $0.84 compared to $0.25 for the same period in 2020.

“We delivered another record quarter of earnings in the second quarter driven by positive trends across most areas of the Company that resulted in a higher level of revenue, improved operating leverage, and increased profitability,” said Steven Shelton, President and CEO of California BanCorp. “Our volume of loan production increased during the second quarter across all of our targeted areas in the portfolio while we maintained discipline in pricing and underwriting criteria. This resulted in 15% annualized loan growth, excluding PPP loans, and stable average loan yields that helped support our net interest margin. The investments we have made to strengthen our Treasury Management platform have also enabled us to continue winning new deposit relationships with larger commercial clients that have more complex cash management requirements, which drove a $49.0 million increase in our non-interest bearing deposits during the second quarter. Our loan pipeline remains strong, which should result in continued loan growth in the second half of the year and additional progress on redeploying our excess liquidity into higher yielding earning assets. As we continue to drive revenue growth, we expect to realize additional operating leverage and further improvement in our core level of profitability, excluding the impact of PPP-related income.”

Financial Highlights:

Profitability—three months ended June 30, 2021 compared to March 31, 2021

Profitability—six months ended June 30, 2021 compared to June 30, 2020

Financial Position – June 30, 2021 compared to March 31, 2021

Net Interest Income and Margin:

Net interest income for the quarter ended June 30, 2021 was $13.6 million, an increase of $250,000, or 2%, over $13.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021, and an increase of $2.8 million, or 26%, over $10.8 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2020. The increase in net interest income compared to the first quarter of 2021 was primarily attributable to the accelerated amortization of fees received on PPP loans forgiven by the SBA combined with a reduction in the average cost of deposits and the repayment of previously outstanding borrowing arrangements. Compared to the second quarter of 2020, the increase in net interest income resulted from growth in earning assets and amortization of fees received on PPP loans offset, in part, by the decline in short-term interest rates.

Net interest income for the six months ended June 30, 2021 was $26.9 million, an increase of $5.9 million, or 28% over $21.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020. The increase in net interest income was primarily attributable to an increase in interest income as the result of amortization of loan fees collected on PPP loans, and an increase in the volume of average earning assets offset by lower yields on earning assets resulting from a decline in short-term interest rates and higher liquidity.

The Company’s net interest margin for the second quarter of 2021 was 2.98% compared to 2.94% for the first quarter of 2021 and 2.59% for the second quarter of 2020. The increase in margin compared to the prior quarter and the second quarter one year ago was primarily due to the impact of recognizing accelerated deferred fees on PPP loans granted forgiveness by the SBA, offset in part by a decrease in short-term interest rates.

The Company’s net interest margin for the six months ended June 30, 2021 was 2.96% compared to 3.06% for the same period in 2020. The decrease in margin compared to prior year was primarily due to a decrease in short-term interest rates and higher liquidity, partially offset by fees recognized on PPP loans.

Non-Interest Income:

The Company’s non-interest income for the quarters ended June 30, 2021, March 31, 2021, and June 30, 2020 was $956,000, $921,000 and $777,000, respectively. The increase in noninterest income from the second quarter of 2020 was primarily due to an increase in service charges and loan related fees.

For the six months ended June 30, 2021, non-interest income of $1.9 million compared to $2.1 million for the same period of 2020. The decrease in non-interest income from prior year was due to higher than normal loan related fees recognized in the first quarter of 2020.

Net interest income and non-interest income comprised total revenue of $14.5 million, $14.3 million, and $11.6 million for the quarters ended June 30, 2021, March 31, 2021, and June 30, 2020, respectively. Total revenue for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 was $28.8 million and $23.0 million, respectively.

Non-Interest Expense:

The Company’s non-interest expense for the quarters ended June 30, 2021, March 31, 2021, and June 30, 2020 was $9.8 million, $10.1 million, and $6.4 million, respectively. The decrease in non-interest expense compared to the first quarter of 2021 was primarily a result of the seasonal nature of increased payroll taxes typically recognized in the first quarter of the year. Compared to the second quarter of 2020, the increase in non-interest expense was primarily due to higher capitalized loan origination costs recognized in the second quarter of 2020 related to funding of PPP loans. Excluding capitalized loan origination costs, non-interest expenses for the second quarter of 2021 decreased approximately $185,000 compared to the second quarter of 2020.

Non-interest expense of $19.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021 compared to $16.8 million for the same period of 2020. Excluding capitalized loan origination costs, non-interest expense was $22.6 million for both of the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 which reflects the Company’s continued focus on managing expenses and utilizing the recent investment in infrastructure to support the continued growth of the Company.

The Company’s efficiency ratio, the ratio of non-interest expense to revenues, was 67.63%, 70.70%, and 55.70% for the quarters ended June 30, 2021, March 31, 2021, and June 30, 2020, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, the Company’s efficiency ratio was 69.15% and 73.14%, respectively.

“Over the past year we have achieved core loan growth of $220.3 million, or 23%, and deposit growth of $294.0 million, or 21%, which has driven year over year growth in revenue of $5.8 million, or 25%, while keeping expenses flat, excluding capitalized loan origination costs,” said Thomas A. Sa, Senior Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer. “Our success in managing operating expenses has been a key driver of the operating leverage that continues to progress in our results.”

Balance Sheet:

Total assets of $1.87 billion as of June 30, 2021, represented a decrease of $78.5 million, or 4%, compared to $1.95 billion at March 31, 2021 and a decrease of $41.4 million, or 2%, compared to $1.91 billion at June 30, 2020. The decrease in total assets was due to utilizing excess liquidity to repay outstanding borrowing arrangements.

Total gross loans decreased by $117.7 million, or 8%, to $1.35 billion at June 30, 2021 compared to $1.47 billion at March 31, 2021 and increased by $53.2 million, or 4%, compared to $1.30 billion at June 30, 2020. During the second quarter of 2021, SBA loans decreased by $160.0 million primarily due to PPP loan forgiveness and commercial loans decreased by $13.4 million due to payoffs and paydowns that occurred in the normal course of business. Partially offsetting this decrease, the real estate other portfolio increased by $42.9 million due to organic growth and the other loan portfolio increased by $16.3 million primarily due to the purchase of additional residential solar loans.

Year-over-year loan growth was primarily due to increases in commercial loans and real estate other loans of $59.8 million and $107.5 million, respectively. In addition, the Company purchased three portfolios of residential solar loans totaling approximately $62.6 million. These increases were offset, in part, by a decrease in SBA loans of $168.7 million primarily due to PPP loan forgiveness.

As a result of the CARES Act PPP, which was launched in April 2020 and re-launched in January 2021, the Company funded approximately $486.7 million in loans. Approximately $292.2 million of those balances have been granted forgiveness by the SBA as of June 30, 2021.

Total deposits increased by $50.1 million, or 3%, to $1.68 billion at June 30, 2021, from $1.63 billion at March 31, 2021 and $294.0 million, or 21%, over $1.39 billion at June 30, 2020. The increase in total deposits from the end of the first quarter of 2021 was primarily due to growth of non-interest bearing demand deposits of $49.0 million.

Compared to the same period last year, deposit growth was primarily concentrated in noninterest-bearing demand and money market deposits as the result of funding PPP loans combined with organic growth. Non-interest bearing deposits, consisting primarily of commercial business operating accounts, represented 47.1% of total deposits at June 30, 2021, compared to 45.6% at March 31, 2021 and 46.4% at June 30. 2020.

The Company had no borrowing arrangements, excluding junior subordinated debt securities, as of June 30, 2021 compared to $134.8 million at March 31, 2021 and $364.7 million as of June 30, 2020. The Company utilized excess liquidity, including funds generated from the reduction of PPP loans, to repay its borrowing arrangements which were comprised primarily of the PPPLF.

Asset Quality:

The provision for loan losses decreased to $(1.1) million for the second quarter of 2021, compared to $300,000 for the first quarter of 2021 and $2.9 million for the second quarter of 2020. Net loan charge-offs in the second quarter of 2021 were $237,000 or 0.02% of gross loans, compared to net recoveries of $166,000, or 0.01% of gross loans, in the first quarter of 2021 and net charge-offs of $2.0 million, or 0.15% of gross loans, in the second quarter 2020.

Non-performing assets (“NPAs”) to total assets of 0.07% at June 30, 2021 compared to 0.01% at March 31, 2021 and 0.07% at June 30, 2020, with non-performing loans of $1.2 million, $234,000 and $1.2 million, respectively, on those dates. The increase in NPAs at June 30, 2021 compared to the prior quarter primarily related to one commercial real estate loan that is well secured and not expected to result in a loss for the Company.    

The allowance for loan losses decreased by $1.3 million to $13.2 million, or 0.98% of total loans at June 30, 2021, compared to $14.5 million, or 0.99% of total loans at March 31, 2021 and increased by $716,000 compared to $12.5 million, or 0.96% of total loans at June 30, 2020. The decrease in the allowance as a percentage of total loans in the quarter ended June 30, 2021 compared to March 31, 2021 reflects the Company’s continued assessment of the qualitative reserves in response to general macroeconomic impacts related to COVID-19. The increase in the allowance ratio compared to June 30, 2020 is due to the charge-off activity recognized in the second quarter of 2020.

The Company undertook measures to support customers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and to maintain strong asset quality, including:

Capital Adequacy:

At June 30, 2021, shareholders’ equity totaled $143.7 million compared to $139.2 million at March 31, 2021 and $133.7 million one year ago. As a result, the Company’s total risk-based capital ratio, tier one capital ratio and leverage ratio of 11.93%, 9.35%, and 7.53%, respectively, were all substantially above the regulatory standards for “well-capitalized” institutions of 10.00%, 8.00% and 5.00% respectively.

About California BanCorp:

California BanCorp, the parent company for California Bank of Commerce, offers a broad range of commercial banking services to closely held businesses and professionals located throughout Northern California. The Company’s common stock trades on the Nasdaq Global Select marketplace under the symbol CALB. For more information on California BanCorp, call us at (510) 457-3751, or visit us at www.californiabankofcommerce.com.

Contacts:

Steven E. Shelton, (510) 457-3751    

President and Chief Executive Officer    

seshelton@bankcbc.com     

Thomas A. Sa, (510) 457-3775

Senior Executive Vice President

Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer

tsa@bankcbc.com

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Information:

This press release contains both financial measures based on GAAP and non-GAAP. Non-GAAP financial measures are used where management believes them to be helpful in understanding the Company’s results of operations or financial position. Where non-GAAP financial measures are used, the comparable GAAP financial measure, as well as the reconciliation to the comparable GAAP financial measure, can be found in this press release. These disclosures should not be viewed as a substitute for operating results determined in accordance with GAAP, nor are they necessarily comparable to non-GAAP performance measures that may be presented by other companies.

Forward-Looking Information:

Statements in this news release regarding expectations and beliefs about future financial performance and financial condition, as well as trends in the Company’s business and markets are “forward-looking statements” as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements often include words such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “estimate,” “project,” “outlook,” or words of similar meaning, or future or conditional verbs such as “will,” “would,” “should,” “could,” or “may.” The forward-looking statements in this news release are based on current information and on assumptions that the Company makes about future events and circumstances that are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that are often difficult to predict and beyond the Company’s control. As a result of those risks and uncertainties, the Company’s actual financial results in the future could differ, possibly materially, from those expressed in or implied by the forward-looking statements contained in this news release and could cause the Company to make changes to future plans. Those risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the risk of incurring loan losses, which is an inherent risk of the banking business; the risk that the Company will not be able to continue its internal growth rate; the risk that the United States economy will experience slowed growth or recession or will be adversely affected by domestic or international economic conditions and risks associated with the Federal Reserve Board taking actions with respect to interest rates, any of which could adversely affect, among other things, the values of real estate collateral supporting many of the Company’s loans, interest income and interest rate margins and, therefore, the Company’s future operating results; risks associated with changes in income tax laws and regulations; and risks associated with seeking new client relationships and maintaining existing client relationships. Readers of this news release are encouraged to review the additional information regarding these and other risks and uncertainties to which our business is subject that are contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 which is on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Additional information will be set forth in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2021, which we expect to file with the SEC during the third quarter of 2021, and readers of this release are urged to review the additional information that will be contained in that report.

The COVID-19 pandemic has created economic and financial disruptions that have adversely affected, and may continue to adversely affect, our business, operations, financial performance and prospects. Even after the COVID-19 pandemic subsides, it is possible that the U.S. and other major economies experience or continue to experience a prolonged recession, which could materially and adversely affect our business, operations, financial performance and prospects. Statements about the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business, operations, financial performance and prospects may constitute forward-looking statements and are subject to the risk that the actual impacts may differ, possibly materially, from what is reflected in those forward-looking statements due to factors and future developments that are uncertain, unpredictable and in many cases beyond our control, including the scope and duration of the pandemic, actions taken by governmental authorities in response to the pandemic, and the direct and indirect impact of the pandemic on our customers, third parties and us.

Due to these and other possible uncertainties and risks, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements contained in this news release, which speak only as of today’s date, or to make predictions based solely on historical financial performance. The Company disclaims any obligation to update forward-looking statements contained in this news release, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by.

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