Washington

The acquisition is the first for Hope since a transformative merger last year.

An influx of new people to the Pacific Northwest and Southeast could have big implications for banking, from M&A to de novo efforts.

Columbia Banking System in Tacoma, Wash., landed the first sizeable deal of the New Year with an agreement to buy Pacific Continental in Eugene, Ore.

Pacific Financial in Aberdeen, Wash., is looking for a new chief credit officer.

Banks in Texas and Washington are joining the growing list of financial institutions selling common stock.

Plaza Bank in Seattle has promoted its chief lending officer to become CEO. The $65 million-asset bank said in a press release Monday that Michael Anderson also succeeded Michael Clabby as president on Nov. 23.

Some banks are set to get a fourth-quarter earnings boost from their MSR portfolios, thanks to a sudden spike in yields on Treasury bonds. Add to that the prospect of further rate hikes and the potential dismantling of Basel III, and more banks could be encouraged to re-enter the servicing business.

Montana's biggest bank will have to compete in cities such as Seattle and Portland, Ore., after buying Cascade Bancorp. But the company is arguably more excited about its chances to grow in central Oregon and Idaho, which are more like its existing markets.

Sen. Jeff Sessions is one of the marijuana industry's staunchest foes. He could upend efforts by the Obama administration to persuade banks that it is safe to work with cannabis firms.

Community banks in the Pacific Northwest and New England completed acquisitions late in the week, and the TIAA-EverBank deal has moved a step closer to reality.