8-K

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C.  20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of

the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

November 24, 2009

Date of Report (date of earliest event reported)

1^ST CENTURY BANCSHARES, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Commission file number 333-148302

Delaware	26-1169687
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

1875 Century Park East, Suite 1400, Los Angeles, California 90067
(Address of principal executive offices including zip code)

(310) 270-9500

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

o  Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17CFR 230.425)

o  Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

o  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

o  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Item 7.01

Regulation FD Disclosure

On November 23, 2009, 1st Century Bancshares, Inc. (“Bancshares”), the holding company of 1^st Century Bank, N.A. (the “Bank”), mailed a letter and capital ratio graph (collectively, the “Letter”) to clients of the Bank and shareholders of Bancshares. A copy of that Letter is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

The information in this Current Report on Form 8-K (including Exhibit 99.1) is being furnished pursuant to Item 7.01 and Item 9.01 of Form 8-K and shall not be deemed to be “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that Section. Furthermore, the information in this Current Report on Form 8-K (including Exhibit 99.1) shall not be incorporated (or deemed incorporated) by reference into any registration statement or other document filed pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing, if any.

The Letter furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act and, as such, may involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Such forward-looking statements may relate to Bancshares’ current expectations and are subject to the limitations and qualifications set forth in Bancshares’ other documents filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including, without limitation, that actual events and/or results may differ materially from those projected in such forward-looking statements.

Item 9.01

Financial Statements and Exhibits

(a)

Not applicable

(b)

Not applicable

(c)

Not applicable

(d)

Exhibits

Exhibit 99.1

Letter dated November 20, 2009 and attached capital ratio graph.

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

	1ST CENTURY BANCSHARES, INC.
Dated: November 24, 2009
	By:	/s/ Jason P. DiNapoli.
		Jason P. DiNapoli
		President and Chief Operating Officer

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit No.	Description
99.1	Letter dated November 20, 2009 and attached capital ratio graph.

EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

November 20, 2009

Dear Client/Shareholder,

As the enclosed graph displays, 1^st Century Bank continues to be one of the most

well-capitalized banks in Southern California.  

1^st Century Bank Capital Breakdown:

·

Risk Based Capital Ratio = 21.3%.

·

100% of our capital is pure common equity.

·

NO TARP.

·

NO Trust Preferred.

·

NO subordinated debt.

·

NO other kind of "quasi-equity".

The key measurement of a bank’s health is its CAPITAL, and now more than ever this is of paramount importance.  

We have positioned our bank to withstand this current economic cycle and stand confidently poised for growth in the years to come.  We are both shareholders and clients of this bank and have full faith in our board and the talented team we have built to continue moving this bank forward into a successful future.

We appreciate your continued commitment to and confidence in 1^st Century Bank.    

As always, feel free to contact either of us if you have any questions at all.  Or better yet, come in and pay us a visit.

Sincerely,

Alan I. Rothenberg

Jason P. DiNapoli

Chairman

President & CEO

310.270.9501

310.270.9505