California

Bridge Capital Holdings Inc. in San Jose is opening a third loan office on the East Coast to lend to emerging technology companies.

Seacoast Commerce Bank in Chula Vista, Calif., will open its first loan-production office in Utah.

Despite strong asset and deposit growth, First PacTrust Bancorp Inc. swung to a loss in the fourth quarter as the Irvine, Calif., company sharply increased its loan-loss provision to reflect both a surge in total loans and an increase in impaired loans.

First Republic Bank in San Francisco has opened a trust company in Delaware as it looks to gain a greater market share of affluent households.

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.