Cerritos, California, June 26, 2018 (Globe Newswire) — (Nasdaq Capital Markets: FCBP) – First Choice Bancorp, the holding company for First Choice Bank (the “Bank,” collectively, “First Choice”) announced it was added to the Russell 3000^® Index and the Russell 2000^® Index when Russell investments reconstituted its comprehensive set of U.S. and global equity indexes after closing on June 22, 2018.

“Being added to the Russell indexes is a milestone for First Choice, and we are happy to have earned this distinction,” said Robert Franko, President and CEO of First Choice.  “Inclusion in these market benchmarks is expected to raise our profile with institutional investors and support trading of our shares.”

Peter Hui, the Chairman of First Choice, stated, “We set ourselves on a path last year to achieve this honor. Our Board and all of our colleagues have worked very diligently to get to this position. From our founding in 2005 until today, we have always strived to do what is best for our shareholders, our clients and our employees.”

The Russell indexes are widely used by investment managers and institutional investors for both index funds and as benchmarks for passive and active investment strategies. In the U.S. marketplace, almost all of the U.S. equity assets are benchmarked by the Russell 3000, representing more than $8.5 trillion. The Company will hold its membership until FTSE Russell reconstitutes its indexes in June 2019. Membership in the Russell indexes remains in place for one year and automatically provides inclusion in the appropriate Russell growth and value style indexes. FTSE Russell determines membership for these indexes primarily by objective, market-capitalization rankings. Continue reading →