California

Nasdaq is giving a number of struggling companies a little more breathing room, making it easier for stocks to stay on the exchange even after falling short of listing requirements.

Though some credit union CEOs continue to express dismay at NCUA in the wake of its announced plan to expand its budget — and many employees' pay — in 2011, others are saying pay increases are a needed investment to avoid having to pay higher costs down the road as a result of insufficiently trained and staffed examination teams.

As more community banks gravitate to a strategy of quickly purging bad loans, Saehan Bancorp in Los Angeles has something to show for holding out.

Bridge Capital Holdings in San Jose, Calif. said Friday that it would raise $30 million in capital through a private placement with a group of institutional investors.

Hanmi Financial Corp. is free to pursue other deals after amending an oft-delayed agreement with a patient investor.

North Valley Bancorp in Redding, Calif., posted a $7.6 million loss for the third quarter, compared with net income of $684,000 a year earlier.

First Northern Community Bancorp in Dixon, Calif., has promoted Jeremiah Z. Smith to take over as chief financial officer at the end of the year.

First Northern Community Bancorp in Dixon, Calif., said Owen Onsum will retire as president and chief executive at the end of the year.

A quest to tap local markets has inadvertently made Grandpoint Capital Inc. one of the more culturally diverse banking companies in the country.

Regulators failed four banks late Friday, pushing the total number of collapses this year to 143. Closures are now are at their highest point since the S&L crisis.

Charter Oak Bank of Napa, Calif., which is under regulatory pressure to raise capital, has agreed to be sold to Bay Commercial Bank in nearby Walnut Creek for $2.3 million.

Green Bank in Houston said Tuesday that it has completed the purchase of certain assets in Texas of the failed La Jolla Bank.

Hanmi Financial Corp. of Los Angeles said Thursday that its net loss improved in the third quarter and its bank returned to a well-capitalized regulatory standing.

Cathay General Bancorp of Los Angeles had income of $17.3 million for the third quarter compared with a net loss of $17.7 million a year earlier.

Nara Bancorp Inc. of Los Angeles swung to a $4 million profit in the third quarter, a 37% improvement from a year earlier, after selling a pool of problem loans.

Dozens of community banks are pushing hard to close acquisitions in the next few months because completing a deal could become much more costly in 2011.

The third-quarter performance of small and midsize banks in California — long a bellwether for the nation's community institutions — has given rise to some optimism.

San Diego Trust Bank Monday announced its 24th consecutive quarterly profit, reporting third-quarter earnings of $218,000, up 30% from a year earlier.

Farmers and Merchants Bank of Long Beach in California announced Monday that third-quarter earnings rose more than 10% from a year earlier.

Sierra Bancorp in Porterville, Calif., said Thursday that it would raise $22 million in capital through several institutional investors.