FMBL Farmers and Merchants Bank (QX)

--Net Loans Exceed $2.5 Billion for the First Time--

--Total Assets Achieve Record High of $5.4 Billion--

Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach (OTCQB: FMBL) today reported financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2014.

“Interest income was up 9 percent in the first quarter, demonstrating the solid traction that the Bank’s recently expanded lending and retail teams continue to achieve,” said Henry Walker, president of Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach. “As we grow our topline, we maintain a long-term view that investing in the Bank’s people and infrastructure will help us achieve new heights and provide superior service to new and existing clients.”

Income Statement

For the three months ended March 31, 2014, interest income advanced to $43.3 million from $39.6 million in the first quarter of 2013. Interest expense for the 2014 first quarter was $1.6 million, compared with $1.5 million last year.

Net interest income for the 2014 first quarter rose to $41.7 million from $38.1 million for the first quarter of 2013. Farmers & Merchants’ net interest margin was 3.40% for the 2014 first quarter, compared with 3.28% a year ago.

The Bank did not have a provision for loan losses in the first quarter of 2014, nor in the same period a year ago, reflecting the continued strength of the loan portfolio. The Bank’s allowance for loan losses as a percentage of loans outstanding was 1.98% at March 31, 2014, compared with 2.50% at March 31, 2013; the decrease being indicative of loan growth, coupled with strong loan quality.

Non-interest income was $6.6 million for the 2014 first quarter, compared with $10.2 million for the first quarter a year ago. Non-interest income for the 2013 first quarter included a $3.6 million gain on the sale of a branch building.

Non-interest expense for the 2014 first quarter was $28. 2 million, compared with $23.8 million for the same period last year. The increase in the 2014 first quarter is reflective of investments in talent and human capital, new awareness and customer-generation marketing campaigns and other real estate owned expenses.

Net income for the 2014 first quarter totaled $14.1 million, or $107.38 per diluted share, compared with net income of $16.7 million, or $127.77 per diluted share, for the 2013 first quarter.

Balance Sheet

At March 31, 2014, net loans increased to $2.53 billion from $2.40 billion at December 31, 2013. The Bank’s deposits totaled $3.98 billion at the end of the 2014 first quarter, compared with $3.83 billion at December 31, 2013. Non-interest bearing deposits represented 39.1% of total deposits at March 31, 2014, versus 38.5% of total deposits at December 31, 2013. Total assets increased to $5.36 billion at the close of the 2014 first quarter from $5.21 billion at December 31, 2013.

Additional paid-in capital was $112.04 million at March 31, 2014, versus $12.04 million at the end of 2013, reflecting a transfer of $100 million from retained earnings to additional paid-in capital for regulatory purposes regarding investments in bank premises.

At March 31, 2014, Farmers & Merchants Bank remained “well-capitalized” under all regulatory categories, with a total risk-based capital ratio of 25.36%, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 24.10%, and a Tier 1 leverage ratio of 14.60%. The minimum ratios for capital adequacy for a well-capitalized bank are 10.00%, 6.00% and 5.00%, respectively.

“F&M’s solid loan growth and the sound and stable characteristics of its balance sheet are indicative of the strategic initiatives and core fundamentals that ultimately enhance the Bank’s position of strength,” said Daniel Walker, chief executive officer and chairman of the board. “Now in F&M’s 107th year of service, we continue to maintain the Bank’s bedrock values, while expanding our presence and preparing for future growth. We are very proud of our continued standing as one of California's strongest banks.”

About Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach

Founded in Long Beach in 1907 by C.J. Walker, Farmers & Merchants Bank has 23 branches in Los Angeles and Orange Counties. The Bank specializes in commercial and small business banking along with business loan programs. Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach is a California state chartered bank with deposits insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (Member FDIC) and an Equal Housing Lender. For more information about F&M, please visit www.fmb.com.

  FARMERS & MERCHANTS BANK OF LONG BEACH Income Statements (Unaudited) (In thousands except per share data)       Three Months Ended March 31, 2014     2013   Interest income:   Loans $ 28,870 $ 25,559 Securities available-for-sale 1,530 2,240 Securities held-to-maturity 12,853 11,629 Deposits with banks   53   207     Total interest income   43,306   39,635     Interest expense:   Deposits 1,348 1,261 Federal funds purchased 4 - Securities sold under repurchase agreements   274   273     Total interest expense   1,626   1,534     Net interest income 41,680 38,101   Provision for loan losses   -   -     Net interest income after provision for loan losses   41,680   38,101     Non-interest income:   Service charges on deposit accounts 1,133 1,154 Gains on sale of securities 425 536 Other real estate owned income 165 310 Merchant bankcard income 2,274 2,174 Other income   2,591   6,066     Total non-interest income   6,588   10,240     Non-interest expense:   Salaries and employee benefits 15,679 13,340 FDIC and other insurance expense 752 1,692 Occupancy expense 1,772 1,598 Equipment expense 1,481 1,435 Other real estate owned expense 621 (817 ) Amortization of public welfare investments 2,117 2,020 Merchant bankcard expense 1,787 1,721 Legal and professional services 944 748 Marketing expense 1,488 589 Other expense   1,553   1,447     Total non-interest expense   28,194   23,773     Income before income tax expense 20,074 24,568   Income tax expense   6,015   7,839     Net income $ 14,059 $ 16,729     Basic and diluted earnings per common share $ 107.38 $ 127.77       FARMERS & MERCHANTS BANK OF LONG BEACH Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (In thousands except share and per share data)       Mar. 31, 2014     Dec. 31, 2013   Assets   Cash and due from banks: Noninterest-bearing balances $ 75,319 $ 65,261 Interest-bearing balances 146,860 20,755 Securities available-for-sale 336,639 427,942 Securities held-to-maturity 2,070,679 2,145,289 Loan held for sale 263 465 Gross loans 2,584,961 2,454,302 Less allowance for loan losses (51,280 ) (51,251 ) Less unamortized deferred loan fees, net   (1,663 )   (1,704 ) Net loans   2,532,018     2,401,347   Other real estate owned,net 13,237 14,502 Public welfare investments 53,016 27,722 Bank premises and equipment, net 65,429 66,212 Net deferred tax assets 23,664 23,512 Other assets   39,684     21,579     Total assets $ 5,356,808   $ 5,214,586       Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity   Liabilities:   Deposits: Demand, non-interest bearing $ 1,556,932 $ 1,475,888 Demand, interest bearing 416,942 413,291 Savings and money market savings 1,145,556 1,080,774 Time deposits   860,018     861,489     Total deposits 3,979,448 3,831,442   Securities sold under repurchase agreements 564,923 595,991 Other liabilities   41,867     27,986     Total liabilities   4,586,238     4,455,419     Stockholders' Equity:  

Common Stock, par value $20; authorized 250,000 shares; issued and outstanding 130,928 shares

2,619 2,619 Additional paid-in capital 112,044 12,044 Retained earnings 653,587 742,408 Accumulated other comprehensive income   2,320     2,096     Total stockholders' equity   770,570     759,167     Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 5,356,808   $ 5,214,586    

Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long BeachJohn Hinrichs, 562-437-0011, ext. 5035Executive Vice PresidentorPondelWilkinson Inc.Evan Pondel, 310-279-5980Corporate and Investor Relationsinvestor@pondel.com