California

H&R Block, for the second time in a year, is finding it challenging to get out of banking.

Valley Community Bank's biggest shareholder has gone public with his objection to the Pleasanton, Calif., bank's sale to FNB Bancorp in San Francisco.

The Golden State is home to nearly a quarter of the banks on Sandler O'Neill's annual list of the top-performing small-cap institutions, a hint that the state could be returning to its pre-recession strength. Banks in the Northeast and mid-Atlantic also had strong performances.

Former President Bill Clinton will deliver the keynote address at the November event, which is expected have more than 5,000 participating students.

Members of the Santa Cruz County Employees CU in Santa Cruz, Calif., have approved a plan to merge with Bay FCU in Capitola, Calif.

Bank of America has agreed to pay $7.65 million to settle charges that it overstated its capital levels because of incorrect accounting from its 2009 acquisition of Merrill Lynch.

Tory Nixon played defense for San Francisco's famed NFL team in some of its glory years, but now he's on offense, seeking to build out commercial lending and retail operations in Northern California for California Bank & Trust.

First Republic Bank in San Francisco expects its four-quarter average assets to reach $50 billion late next year.

BBCN Bancorp in Los Angeles has signed a memorandum of understanding with the city of Seoul aimed at expanding the bank's business in South Korea.

Broadway Financial in Los Angeles plans to raise nearly $10 million through a private placement.

LOS ANGELES — To better serve its growing millennial member base, USC Credit Union here has partnered with CU Campus Resources (CUCR) and its new private student loan program.

Comerica Bank and San Diego County Credit Union have battled in recent years to claim the Guinness World Record for "Most Paper Collected in 24 hours."

Regulators have terminated an agreement with Preferred Bank in Los Angeles that required improvements to its data-security system.

1st Capital Bank in Monterey, Calif., has appointed a chief banking officer who will take on most of the responsibilities of its recently departed chief administrative officer.

Avidbank Holdings in Palo Alto, Calif., has added Michael Rosinus to its board of directors.

BBCN Bancorp in Los Angeles has appointed two new board members.

MoneyGram has acquired the assets of Nexxo Financial, a money transfer and prepaid technology provider in Burlingame, Calif.

East West Bancorp in Los Angeles has been hit with a nearly $39 million in damages tied to a lawsuit from a borrower.

Banc of California has announced extensive community reinvestment goals as part of its planned purchase of 20 Banco Popular branches in Southern California. The agreement, which appeased a community group that had opposed the sale, shows how much power such organizations wield when it comes to M&A.

First Mountain Bank in Big Bear Lake, Calif., is looking to replace a pair of bankers who collectively have more than 80 years of industry experience.