California

American Express can provide affordable products to the unbanked and still make a profit, company executive Dan Schulman said at the Emerge conference. He was vague on details but hinted that its prepaid cards built on an lower-cost software platform are part of the answer.

Californians picked Republican Neel Kashkari, a political newcomer who ran the federal bailout of the U.S. banking system, to challenge incumbent Democrat Jerry Brown for governor in November.

CU Bancorp (CUNB) in Encino, Calif., has agreed to buy 1st Enterprise Bank (FENB) in Los Angeles.

BofI Holding (BOFI) in San Diego, the parent of BofI Federal Bank, is mourning the passing of Jerry F. Englert, a company founder and member of the board of directors.

Under Roy Malone's direction, Golden Pacific Bancorp last year introduced an online lending platform that vastly speeds up the approval process for borrowers seeking Small Business Administration loans ranging from $5,000 to $150,000.

The emergence of several regional banks in California could prompt smaller institutions to weigh their M&A options. Higher operating costs and limited revenue opportunities could also force more consolidation in the state.

BURBANK, Calif. — If Partners Federal Credit Union had a theme song, it would be "Be Our Guest," from the Disney hit musical "Beauty and the Beast."

The head of a California mortgage lender who perpetrated a $5.3 million mortgage fraud scheme against Ally Financial will serve more than four years in prison.

Seacoast Commerce Bank (SCCB) in San Diego has opened a new loan production office in Boise, in an effort to extend its Small Business Administration lending business to Idaho and eastern Washington.

California Bank of Commerce (CABC) in Lafayette plans to raise $12 million through a secondary offering.

Lessons of the crisis still have lenders nervous. But today's documentation requirements should keep things in check.

FNB Bancorp (FNBG) in South San Francisco is expanding into the East Bay with a deal to acquire Valley Community Bank in Pleasanton.

BURBANK, Calif. — UMe Federal Credit Union had a problem. Though the $160 million, one-branch CU had a mobile banking application available to its 13,050 members, only a small percentage were using the service.

David Malone, former CEO of Community Bank in Pasadena, Calif., was appointed to BBCN's board, which expanded to 11 members.

Community 1st Bank (CFBN) of Auburn, Calif., shuffled its executive team on Thursday after re-appointing Robert C. Haydon, the bank president and chief executive officer, as board chairman.

There are two basic ways to boost the bottom line: increase profit, decrease expenses.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — As checking rates finally begin to inch upward this year, CUs are well ahead of banks in the average yield paid on checking products, according to GoBankingRates.

Banc of California (BANC) in Irvine is looking to raise $100 million by selling common stock and tangible equity units.

BREA, Calif. — South Western FCU and Credit Union of Southern California have announced their intent to merge, pending approval from state and federal regulators and SWFCU members.

SVB Financial (SIVB) in Santa Clara, Calif., has filed to sell nearly 4.5 million shares of common stock.