California

Wilshire Bancorp in Los Angeles has opened its first branch in Georgia.

Banc of California in Irvine has begun two securities offerings, one of which aims to raise $175 million.

GLENDORA, Calif. — America's Christian Credit Union CEO Mendell Thompson was elected to serve on the Glendora City Council.

Retailers have been able to get credit card surcharge bans in California and New York thrown out by using an unusual legal argument based on the First Amendment. The wins are significant, but merchants still need to fight through a legal thicket before card surcharges become practical.

SAN DIEGO — The first-ever Commercial Mobile Deposit Capture (CMDC) launched here last month. The app will enhance credit union banking services for small business owners and account receivable vendors.

BURBANK, Calif. — Three years ago Burbank Community Federal Credit Union rebranded itself as UMe Federal Credit Union. With a mobile-first product strategy, the $165 million CU has realized significant market gains, including a 30% jump in real estate lending.

SAN DIEGO — Credit union core processor Corelation, Inc., said it has signed seven credit unions and converted three previously signed clients to its open architecture system, KeyStone, in the first three months of 2015.

Cathay General Bancorp in Los Angeles has given some executives important additional duties.

SAN FRANCISCO — To partner eligible members with potential credit unions they can join, Sam Brownell has launched a KickStarter campaign here for Credit Union Match.

RANCHO CUCAMONGA, Calif. — The CO-OP THINK Prize is getting a makeover this year.

First Republic Bank in San Francisco is planning to raise more than $200 million in a public offering.

The Justice Department handed down its third bank settlement under Operation Choke Point Thursday, bringing a civil complaint against Plaza Bank of Irvine, Calif., for failing to report a payment processor's relationship with fraudulent merchants.

Western Alliance Bancorp. in Phoenix has agreed to buy Bridge Capital Holdings in San Jose, Calif.

Banc of California in Irvine got a shot in the arm from its acquisition of 20 Popular Community Bank branches in the fourth quarter.

EL CENTRO, Calif. — Palm Springs Federal Credit Union said it intends to merge into Sun Community Federal Credit Union, here, which would create a combined credit union with $325 million in assets, $36 million in capital and more than 36,000 members.

The California company has poached lenders from larger rivals, while expanding into specialty finance lines. Those moves have positioned Opus for a growth spurt that should outpace organic growth at most other community banks.

PacWest Bancorp in Los Angeles has agreed to buy Square 1 Financial in Durham, N.C.

CVB Financial in Ontario, Calif., will take a small hit in the first quarter after repaying a Federal Home Loan Bank advance.

Plumas Bank in Quincy, Calif., is looking to convert its loan-production office in Reno, Nev., into a full-service branch.

F&T Financial Services in Porterville, Calif., has agreed to buy Pan American Bank in Los Angeles.