Mail Stop - 4561

								January 16, 2009


      James P. Sheehy, Executive Vice President,
          Secretary and Treasurer
First Pactrust Bancorp, Inc.
610 Bay Boulevard
Chula Vista, California  91910

      Re:	First Pactrust Bancorp, Inc.
      	Registration Statement filed on Form S-3
		File Nos. 333-156342

      Dear Mr. Sheehy:

      This is to advise you that no review of the above
registration
statement has been or will be made.  All Persons who are by
statute
responsible for the adequacy and accuracy of the registration
statement are urged to be certain that all information required
under
the Securities Act of 1933 has been included.

      You are also reminded to consider applicable requirements
regarding distribution of the preliminary prospectus.

      We urge all persons who are responsible for the accuracy and
adequacy of the disclosure in the filings to be certain that they
have provided all information investors require for an informed
decision.  Since the company and its management are in possession
of
all facts relating to a company`s disclosure, they are responsible
for the accuracy and adequacy of the disclosures they have made.

      Notwithstanding our comments, in the event the company
requests
acceleration of the effective date of the pending registration
statement, it should furnish a letter, at the time of such
request,
acknowledging that

* should the Commission or the staff, acting pursuant to delegated
authority, declare the filing effective, it does not foreclose the
Commission from taking any action with respect to the filing;




James P. Sheehy, Executive Vice President, Secretary
     and Treasurer
First PacTrust Bancorp, Inc.
Page Two


* the action of the Commission or the staff, acting pursuant to
delegated authority, in declaring the filing effective, does not
relieve the company from its full responsibility for the adequacy
and
accuracy of the disclosure in the filings; and

* the company may not assert this action as defense in any
proceeding
initiated by the Commission or any person under the federal
securities laws of the United States.

      In addition, please be advised that the Division of
Enforcement
has access to all information you provide to the staff of the
Division of Corporation Finance in connection with our review of
your
filing or in response to our comments on your filing.

      We will consider a written request for acceleration of the
effective date of the registration statement as a confirmation of
the
fact that those requesting acceleration are aware of their
respective
responsibilities under the Securities Act of 1933 and the
Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 as they relate to the proposed public
offering
of the securities specified in the above registration statement.
We
will act on the request and, pursuant to authority, grant
acceleration of the effective date.

      If you have any questions, please call Gregory Dundas at
(202)
551-3436.

      						Sincerely,


      						Todd K. Schiffman
      						Assistant Director



cc:	Martin L. Meyrowitz, P.C.