California

Sierra Bancorp (BSRR) in Porterville, Calif., has agreed to buy Santa Clara Valley Bank (SCVE) in Santa Paula, Calif.

First National Bank of Southern California in Riverside and First Mountain Bank (FMBP) in Big Bear Lake, Calif., have terminated their planned merger.

East West Bancorp (EWBC) in Pasadena, Calif., reported double-digit earnings growth in the second quarter increase in its second-quarter earned a profit in the second quarter loan growth following the MetroCorp acquisition earlier this year.

A community group opposes Banc of California's plans to buy 20 branches, saying management isn't being open about plans to serve low-income and minority customers. The bank says it’s all a misunderstanding. Still, the issue shows why banks must foster good relations with powerful advocacy groups.

First Republic Bank (FRC) in San Francisco reported higher earnings for the second quarter, as strong revenue growth helped offset a rise in compliance costs.

Westamerica Bancorporation (WABC) in San Rafael, Calif., reported another decline in quarterly profits as low interest rates continued to reduce yields on loans and investment securities.

Pan Pacific Bank (PPFC) in Fremont, Calif., reported a spike in quarterly earnings after reclaiming its deferred-tax asset.

Hanmi Financial (HAFC) in Los Angeles has sold two insurance businesses Chunha Holding in Garden Grove, Calif.

The San Francisco bank posted strong growth in commercial loans in the second quarter, which may bode well for other banks that concentrate on business lending, but it wasn't enough to prevent questions about how Wells will be able to maintain its performance in the face of stepped-up competition from other lenders.

Wells Fargo & Co., the world's most valuable bank, said profit increased 3.8 percent on lower costs even as the lender snapped a 17-quarter streak of rising per- share earnings.

Protiviti in Menlo Park, Calif. has developed a new module companies can use to develop and manage an anti-corruption program that aids compliance with the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and other anti-corruption laws.

MANHATTAN BEACH, Calif. — Kinecta FCU has launched two small-dollar loans that test alternative underwriting guidelines to serve the underbanked.

SAN FRANCISCO — The flurry of regulations coming out of CFPB were expected to drive some credit unions right out of the mortgage business, but the "big dog" of mortgage regulation is yet to come, and that one might finally do the trick, according to one compliance expert.

Banc of California (BANC) in Irvine says it booked more than $1.4 billion in loans during the second quarter.

LAS VEGAS — The auto lending world is moving inexorably to a model that features mobile technology and is fueled by impatience.

City National Bank (CYN) in Los Angeles opened an office in Daytona Beach, Fla., that will target clients in the entertainment, sports and motorsports industries.

SAN FRANCISCO — From dragons and drums to lending challenges to come, America's Credit Union Conference kicked off with a bang on Monday.

LOS ANGELES — Reactions were mixed following NCUA's first "Listening Session" on the proposed risk-based capital rule here last week.

SAN JOSE, Calif. — The San Francisco Bay Area is a "very crowded" market, with "high competition" among the many credit unions, banks and other financial service companies that are here.

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. — At $6.8 billion in assets, First Technology FCU is the 10th largest credit union in the nation — and it enjoys the unique perspective of serving members in two of the hottest markets: Silicon Valley in Northern California and Lane County, Oregon.