Heritage Oaks Bancorp (Nasdaq:HEOP), parent company of Heritage Oaks Bank, today announced that James J. Lynch, a Managing Partner for Patriot Financial Partners, LP in Philadelphia, PA has joined its Board of Directors, and the Board of Directors of Heritage Oaks Bank.

The addition of Lynch was made in connection with the company’s March 2010 private placement, and follows the recent receipts of all necessary regulatory approvals or non-objections to his appointment and a review of Mr. Lynch by the Company’s Board of Directors.

Michael J. Morris, chairman of the board, expressed pleasure at the addition of Lynch to the board.

"As our Company has grown to over one billion dollars in assets, the time was right to seek a banker of Jim’s national stature to come on the board. We are fortunate to have a board member of Jim’s broad perspective and strong banking credentials," Morris said.

"I am very happy to welcome Jim to our board," said Lawrence P. Ward, president and CEO. "Jim brings with him over 40 years of banking experience and will be extremely valuable to the board."

In addition to being managing partner of Patriot Financial Partners, Lynch has served as vice chairman of Sovereign Bancorp from 2005-2007 and chairman and chief executive officer of Sovereign Bank’s Mid Atlantic Division from 2002-2007.

Lynch also served as president and chief executive officer of Fleet Bank in Pennsylvania and Southern New Jersey from 2001-2002. A graduate of LaSalle University in Philadelphia, Lynch has also served as chairman and CEO at Summit Bank and Prime Bank in Pennsylvania.

The bank board now consists of 12 members who include Michael J. Morris, Donald Campbell, Michael J. Behrman, Kenneth Dewar, Mark C. Fugate, Dee Lacey, James J. Lynch, Merle F. Miller, Daniel J. O’Hare, Michael E. Pfau, Alexander F. Simas, and Lawrence P. Ward.

Heritage Oaks Bancorp is the holding company for Heritage Oaks Bank, which operates as Heritage Oaks Bank and Business First, a division of Heritage Oaks Bank.

Heritage Oaks Bank has its headquarters plus one branch office in Paso Robles, two branch offices in San Luis Obispo, single branch offices in Cambria, Arroyo Grande, Atascadero, Templeton, San Miguel and Morro Bay and three branch offices in Santa Maria.

Heritage Oaks Bank conducts commercial banking business in San Luis Obispo County and Northern Santa Barbara County. The Business First division has two branch offices in Santa Barbara.

Visit Heritage Oaks Bancorp at www.heritageoaksbancorp.com.