California

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.

CVB Financial in Ontario, Calif., has agreed to buy County Commerce Bank in Oxnard, Calif.

Mechanics Bank in Walnut Creek, Calif., has named three senior financial executives, about five months after a Dallas investment group acquired a majority stake.

It started out as a chat over dinner and cocktails between a director of Trans Pacific National Bank and Dr. Robert Murray, a part-time physician for the San Francisco Giants.

Royal Bank of Canada has received approval from the Federal Reserve Board to buy City National in Los Angeles.

Banc of California in Irvine has agreed to buy a Santa Ana office building for $77 million for its headquarters.

Community West Bancshares in Goleta, Calif., has received regulatory approval to exit the Troubled Asset Relief Program.

Pacific Premier Bancorp in Irvine, Calif., has agreed to buy Security California Bancorp in Riverside, Calif.

Wells Fargo, the world’s largest bank by market value, agreed to buy the bulk of a railcar- and locomotive-leasing unit from General Electric as the industrial giant retreats from financial services.

1st Century Bancshares in Los Angeles has filed plans to raise $30 million through a sale of common stock.

MUFG Americas Holdings in New York, the holding company for California's Union Bank, has named Kanetsugu Mike chairman of the holding company and bank.