California

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.

The $4.8 billion-asset HomeStreet said in a press release Monday that it will pay $49.8 million in stock, or $11.70 a share, and $5.5 million in cash for the $200 million-asset Orange County Business Bank.

Western Alliance Bancorp's Bridge Bank in San Jose, Calif., has created a lending group to focus on the life sciences sector.

Money360, a marketplace lender that focuses on commercial real estate, has hired mortgage industry veteran Gary Bechtel as its president.

California Bank of Commerce in Lafayette, Calif., has agreed to buy Pan Pacific Bank in Fremont, Calif.

The California Department of Business Oversight, which regulates financial services and products, has promoted Debie Abella to head of bank regulation and supervision.

Funding Circle has formed a partnership with H&R Block to provide loans to the tax preparation firm’s small-business customers.

FNB Bancorp in South San Francisco, Calif., has acquired America California Bank in San Francisco.