California

The $11.2 billion-asset Banc of California said in a press release Friday that it sold the division the $4.4 billion-asset Hanmi. The companies did not disclose the price.

Opus Bank in Irvine, Calif., reported a larger-than-forecast quarterly loss after deciding to set aside more reserves than it predicted it would a week earlier.

Loan growth in Arizona and Southern California led to improved third-quarter profit at Western Alliance Bancorp. in Phoenix.

PacWest Bancorp in Los Angeles reported higher third-quarter profits thanks to higher net interest income, increased commissions and fees and the elimination of its loss-sharing agreements.

Bank of America's chief financial officer on Tuesday downplayed the odds of a Wells-Fargo-style phony-account scandal at B of A, contending that it does not use hard-charging sales tactics.

Opus Bank in Irvine, Calif., said Monday that it expects to report a third-quarter loss of 5 cents a share, reflecting $38.8 million in chargeoffs tied to eight loans in its technology, commercial and specialty lending divisions.

Profit at Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach in California improved in the third quarter, due to loan growth and increased securities income.

California Bank of Commerce in Lafayette has hired a veteran credit administrator to help expand its small-business lending.

First Republic Bank in San Francisco said Thursday that its third-quarter profit climbed 27.4% from the same period last year, to $171.8 million, thanks to double-digit gains in both interest and fee income.

Large banks are outpacing community banks in deposit gathering because new liquidity rules make deposits more valuable to the biggest banks, mobile banking has been a deposit magnet for the heavyweights, and regional and midsize players hold certain advantages over smaller rivals, too.