LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 9, 2007--Center Financial Corporation (NASDAQ:CLFC) today announced that Lonny Robinson has accepted the position of chief financial officer on a permanent basis. Robinson, 49, has been serving as the company's interim chief financial officer since the filing of Center's 2006 Form 10-K in February.

"Lonny is a seasoned industry veteran with in-depth knowledge of the banking industry and public sector," said Jae Whan (J.W.) Yoo, president and chief executive officer. "His leadership during this transitional period and familiarity with our reporting systems complemented the entire team here at Center, and I am pleased that Lonny has agreed to join our organization as we prepare for our next phase of growth."

Robinson previously served Center Financial in January 2006 as a consultant on a project that reengineered and streamlined the company's financial reporting processes. During that time, he also assisted in various closing procedures and preparations for Center's 2005 Form 10-K and proxy filings. Previously, Robinson served as an independent contractor for Resources Global Professionals, where he counseled various financial institutions in the areas of SOX 404 implementation and compliance, financial reporting processes and SEC reporting.

Robinson began his banking career in 1985 as a vice president and treasurer at First Federal Savings Bank of New Castle. He was promoted in 1991 to chief financial officer and managed the company's public offering and listing on NASDAQ and was responsible for all SEC and regulatory filings. He also served as president from 1996 to 1998, and was responsible for all aspects of operations, financial management, risk management and investor relations. From July of 2002 through December of 2003, Robinson was president of First Bank in Louisville Kentucky.

Robinson earned his bachelor of arts in accounting from Westminster College in New Wilmington, Pennsylvania and graduate banking degrees from the University of Georgia, Athens and University of Texas, Austin. He is a certified public accountant.

About Center Financial Corporation

Center Financial Corporation is the holding company of Center Bank, a community bank offering a full range of financial services for diverse ethnic and small business customers. Founded in 1986 and specializing in commercial and SBA loans and trade finance products, Center Bank has grown to be one of the nation's largest financial institutions focusing on the Korean-American community, with total assets of $1.84 billion at December 31, 2006. Headquartered in Los Angeles, Center Bank operates 26 branch and loan production offices. Of the company's 17 full-service branches, 15 are located throughout Southern California, along with one branch each in Chicago and Seattle. Center Bank's nine loan production offices are strategically located in Phoenix, Seattle, Denver, Washington D.C., Las Vegas, Atlanta, Honolulu, Houston and Dallas. Center Bank is a California state-chartered institution and its deposits are insured by the FDIC to the extent provided by law. For additional information on Center Bank, visit the company's Web site at www.centerbank.com.

CONTACT: Center Financial Corporation
Lonny Robinson, Chief Financial Officer, 213-401-2311
or
PondelWilkinson Inc.
Investor Relations
Angie Yang/Evan Pondel, 310-279-5980
investor@pondel.com


SOURCE: Center Financial Corporation