California

Two California banks have repaid funds they received from the Treasury Department under the Troubled Asset Relief Program.

Sierra Vista Bank in Folsom, Calif., is looking to start its fifth year with $6.5 million of new capital.

Community West Bancshares Inc. in Goleta, Calif., is closing its four out-of state Small Business Administration lending offices as part of a broad restructuring plan aimed at reducing risk and improving the company's overall health.

Pacific Mercantile Bancorp in Costa Mesa, Calif., has restructured its planned stock sale to an institutional investor in a move that will save it almost $1 million and increase a key capital ratio.

First Republic Bank in San Francisco said certain shareholders, including members of its management team, will sell up to 11.8 million shares of common stock in a secondary offering.

The growth-hungry Opus Bank in Irvine, Calif., is making good on its plans to grow organically alongside acquisitions.

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

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

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

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 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.

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

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

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

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.

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.

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 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.