State Coverage: California

Hana Financial to Acquire Stake in a Los Angeles Bank

American Banker | Feb 10

Hana Financial Group of Seoul, South Korea, has agreed to buy newly issued shares of common stock, and a 51% ownership interest, in Saehan Bancorp in Los Angeles.

Community West Reports $8.6 Million Loss, Discloses Enforcement Action

American Banker | Feb 01

Community West Bank in Goleta, Calif., is under orders from its regulator to beef up its capital levels and improve oversight of its loan portfolio.

Under Pressure to Sell Itself, First California Hires Investment Bank

American Banker | Feb 01

With two of its largest investors pressuring it to find a buyer, First California Financial Group Inc. in Westlake Village has hired an unnamed investment bank to help it explore its options.

Regulators Lift Orders Against Open Bank in California

American Banker | Jan 30

Regulators have terminated two cease-and-desist orders against a small Los Angeles commercial bank after a recapitalization effort and a management shakeup.

SVB Financial in California Finds Loan Growth as Earnings Rise

American Banker | Jan 26

SVB Financial Group's fourth-quarter net income was more than double what it earned a year earlier, at $35.6 million.

Cathay General Reports 68% Jump in 4Q Earnings

American Banker | Jan 23

Fueled by a lower provision for loan losses and rising net interest income, Cathay General Bancorp's profits surged more than 68% in the fourth quarter, to $23.6 million, from a year earlier.

East West Post's Record Earnings, Will Double Dividend

American Banker | Jan 20

East West Bancorp Inc.'s shares surged early Friday following news that the Pasadena, Calif., company had a record-breaking 2011 and plans to double its dividend.

Grandpoint Inks Another Deal in California

American Banker | Jan 20

Serial acquirer Grandpoint Capital Inc. has announced its first acquisition of 2012 as it prepares for the closing of its last announced deal.

Westamerica's Net Income Falls 8%

American Banker | Jan 19

Westamerica Bancorp. in San Rafael, Calif., reported fourth-quarter earnings of $21.8 million, down 8% from a year earlier.

Loss-Sharing Pacts Boost PacWest's 4Q Profits

American Banker | Jan 18

PacWest Bancorp in Los Angeles reported higher quarterly earnings Wednesday after recouping more covered losses from its failed-bank acquisitions.

First Republic 4Q Profit Tops $90 Million

American Banker | Jan 17

Strong loan growth combined with a surge in wealth management assets powered First Republic Bank in San Francisco to a $90.7 million profit in the fourth quarter, up 19% from the same period in 2010.

Pohlad Family Pressures First California Financial to Find a Buyer

American Banker | Jan 13

Shares of the thinly traded First California Financial Group Inc. soared Friday after it was disclosed in a Securities and Exchange Commission filing that the wealthy owners of the Minnesota Twins baseball club have acquired a large stake in the banking company and are pushing for its sale.

Strong Loan Quality Drives Chino Commercial's Profits

American Banker | Jan 10

Chino Commercial Bancorp in California reported fourth-quarter earnings of almost $168,000, three times higher than a year earlier, and year-end income of more than $441,000, about 45% higher than 2010’s results.

Broadway Financial in Los Angeles Complies with Nasdaq Rules

American Banker | Dec 28

Broadway Financial Corp. in Los Angeles said Wednesday that it once again complies with Nasdaq listing requirements after filing its third-quarter earnings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Pacific Capital Pays Down $35 Million Debt

American Banker | Dec 20

Pacific Capital Bancorp in Santa Barbara, Calif., is using some of its excess cash to pay down debt and resume paying interest on trust preferred securities.