First State Bancorporation Announces Director Childears Resignation

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.--(Business Wire)--
First State Bancorporation ("First State") (NASDAQ:FSNM) announced today that
Linda S. Childears has tendered her resignation from the Board of Directors
effective immediately due to the Company`s exit from the Colorado market with
the pending sale of its Colorado branches and the time commitment and travel
required to effectively serve on the board. Childears, a Colorado resident and
Director of the Company since June 2007, is President and CEO of the Daniels
Fund. Ms. Childears served on the Compensation Committee.

"Linda has been a very valuable member of the board; we thank her for her
countless hours of advice and counsel over the last two years," stated Michael
Stanford, President and CEO. "Her contribution was invaluable and we wish her
well," continued Stanford.

ABOUT FIRST STATE

First State is a New Mexico-based bank holding company. First State provides
commercial banking services to businesses through its subsidiary bank, First
Community Bank. First Community Bank currently operates 60 branch offices, in
New Mexico, Colorado, and Arizona. On May 19, 2009, First State Bancorporation`s
stock (NASDAQ:FSNM) closed at $1.93.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND WHERE TO FIND IT

First State`s news releases and filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission are available through the Investor Relations section of First State`s
website at www.fcbnm.com. Investors and securityholders may also obtain these
documents free of charge at the SEC`s website at www.sec.gov.

First State Bancorporation
H. Patrick Dee
Chief Operating Officer
505-241-7102
or
Christopher C. Spencer
Chief Financial Officer
505-241-7154

Copyright Business Wire 2009