California

Citing the possibility of regulatory orders that might impose higher capital requirements, three West Coast banking companies are moving forward with stock offerings.

As the former chief executive of Fair Isaac Corp., Larry E. Rosenberger knows a thing or two about credit risk. Now he's taking one, by extending a $500,000 loan to the cash-strapped Tamalpais Bancorp.

For the industry's entrepreneurs, buying a small depository, rather than building one from scratch, has gone from the exception to the rule.

James Gutierrez, chief executive of Progress Financial in San Jose, believes he has found the key to reaching unbanked Hispanics — credit.

Wilshire Bancorp Inc. in Los Angeles has filed a shelf registration to raise up to $100 million of capital.

At least two community banking companies announced plans Tuesday to raise capital, some of which may be used to repay government capital.

UCBH Holdings Inc.'s troubles have deepened, as the San Francisco company ousted its chief executive of 18 years and another top manager amid allegations of fraud. The $13.8 billion-asset UCBH, which caters to Chinese immigrants, said an investigation by its board found that "certain bank officers" had tried to disguise credit problems and misled the company's finance department and outside auditors.

WASHINGTON — Three banks totaling $1.9 billion in assets failed late Friday, bringing the year's closure total to 84.

Sierra Bancorp in Porterville, Calif., has lined up a $21.3 million capital infusion.

California credit unions had another increase in loan delinquencies during the second quarter, and more of them have been deemed troubled.

Preferred Bank in Los Angeles aimed to bring in $10 million with its recent stock offering, but demand exceeded its expectations.

Though it already has a fat tangible common equity ratio, PacWest Bancorp in San Diego is piling on even more capital with an eye toward buying failed institutions.

The Office of the Inspector General for the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. said examiners did not take the steps necessary to rein in risky practices at First Centennial Bank in Redlands, Calif.

After posting its fifth consecutive quarterly loss and falling out of compliance with a regulatory order, Pacific Capital Bancorp said it is weighing "strategic alternatives" — which usually means a company is on the sales block.

East West Bancorp Inc. in Pasadena, Calif., which has raised $168.9 million of common equity in the past several weeks, is trying to bring in more.

With the backing of its deep-pocketed parent, Mutual of Omaha Bank intends to continue buying troubled or failed banks, and within 10 years it could even "rival" its ...