California

Banc of California in Irvine has named James McKinney its new chief financial officer. McKinney joined the $6.4 billion-asset bank in September as chief accounting officer.

Wells Fargo has agreed to pay $81.6 million to settle a federal investigation into its alleged failure to properly notify homeowners of increases in their mortgage payments.

Bank of the West has reached an agreement to become the official bank of its neighbor across San Francisco Bay, the University of California, Berkeley.

Luther Burbank Savings, in Santa Rosa, Calif., has established three home loan programs aimed at helping low- and moderate-income borrowers afford to buy homes in nine California counties.

WireCash, an online marketplace for international remittances, has added the Brazilian company Pontual to its platform.

JPMorgan Chase agreed to pay California $50 million to resolve claims the bank cheated tens of thousands of credit-card customers while collecting debts from them, California Attorney General Kamala Harris said.

California’s Richmond Community Foundation will pursue a new social impact bond vehicle with a $3 million revenue bond private placement it hopes to close next month with the local Mechanics Bank.

Opus Bank in Irvine, Calif., has promoted Jennifer Simmons to chief operating officer and appointed her to the executive committee.

Wells Fargo has eliminated foreign transaction fees for transactions made by small businesses made outside the U.S.

First Northern Community Bancorp in Dixon, Calif., has exited the Small Business Lending Fund.

Wells Fargo plans to systematically poach Credit Suisse's private brokers in the U.S. and their clients — and the Swiss bank is OK with that.

City National in Los Angeles reported a 3% increase in third-quarter profit, driven by double-digit loan growth.

The decision to terminate a shared-loss agreement with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. boosted third-quarter profits at East West Bancorp in Pasadena, Calif.

A federal appeals court has dealt the retail sector a setback in the ongoing fight over surcharges on credit card purchases.

Bank employees in Los Angeles staged a protest Monday against low wages and what the group calls "improper working conditions."

Communities First Financial in Fresno, Calif., has a new chief executive.

BofI Holding in San Diego is poised to end a tumultuous week, after a lawsuit accusing it of lax controls sent investors scurrying.

PacWest Bancorp in Los Angeles reported a higher third-quarter profit, citing new lending and lower expenses.

NCAL Bancorp in Irvine, Calif., has agreed to buy Commercial Bank of California in Los Angeles.

Westamerica Bancorp. will close its branch in Upper Lake, Calif., after a failed effort to find another financial institution to take over the branch.