California

Royal Bank of Canada is ready to take another shot at U.S. banking, agreeing to buy City National in Los Angeles.

Cathay General Bancorp in Los Angeles has agreed to buy Asia Bancshares in New York.

SVB Financial in Santa Clara, Calif., has agreed to sell a specialty finance business in India at a net loss.

First Republic Bank in San Francisco reported flat fourth-quarter profits as strong deposit growth and gains in both interest and fee income were largely offset by higher expenses.

Westamerica Bancorp. in San Rafael, Calif., reported lower quarterly results as lower yields and a smaller loan book dragged down profit.

Plaza Bancorp in Irvine, Calif., has agreed to buy Manhattan Bancorp in El Segundo, Calif.

Numerous banks are expected to say they trimmed expenses yet again when they report fourth-quarter results in the coming weeks. But that trend may ebb soon as many executives are forced to spend on technology and to expand their businesses.

Central Valley Community Bank in Fresno, Calif., plans to report a fourth-quarter loss because of a hefty chargeoff of commercial loans.

Nationwide the number of bank branches fell by about 1.7% last year. But some cities and states were hit harder than others, according to data from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. and research firm BankRegData.

A San Diego-based debt collector has agreed to pay $675,000 in civil penalties and give up $18 million won in court fights against 4,500 consumers, New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman said Friday.

Security First Bank in Fresno, Calif., has a new president.

The founder and chairman of 1st Century Bank in Los Angeles has been named to chair the city's tourism and convention board.

Heritage Oaks Bancorp in Paso Robles, Calif., has hired a veteran banker to fill a newly created post.

Sierra Vista Bank in Folsom, Calif., has named a new chairman.

PLEASANTON, Calif. — Last May, SafeAmerica Credit Union undertook a near yearlong process: updating its core from Fiserv to Corelation.

TORRANCE, Calif. — The $63 million CalCom Federal Credit Union was robbed Tuesday and authorities are seeking three suspects in the incident.

Credit Karma has begun offering on-demand access to credit reports from Equifax.

Experian will now offer FICO credit scores through its direct-to-consumer products, the Costa Mesa, Calif.-based credit bureau announced today.

Investors who backed Broadway Financial's 2013 recapitalization are cashing out.

BofI Holding in San Diego has agreed to buy $125 million in deposit accounts from a unit of First Marblehead.