Question 1

What is Banc of California?

Accepted Answer

Banc of California is a regional commercial bank headquartered in Los Angeles, California. With approximately $34 billion in total assets and 88 branches, the bank specializes in relationship-focused business banking. Banc of California serves small- to medium-sized businesses, real estate developers, healthcare organizations, and high-net-worth individuals across California and select markets in Colorado and North Carolina.

The bank has positioned itself as California's premier relationship-driven business bank, focusing on delivering tailored financial solutions and exceptional treasury management services.

Question 2

When was Banc of California founded?

Accepted Answer

Banc of California traces its origins to 1941, when it was established as the Rohr Employees Federal Credit Union in Chula Vista, California. The credit union served employees of the Rohr Aircraft plant during World War II.

The institution evolved significantly over the decades. In 1995, it was renamed Pacific Trust Federal Credit Union, and in 2000, it converted to Pacific Trust Bank, becoming a mutually owned federal savings bank. The Pacific Trust Bank became a subsidiary of First PacTrust Bancorp Inc. in 2002.

The modern Banc of California emerged in 2013 when First PacTrust Bancorp merged with Beach Business Bank. The company's two banking subsidiaries, Pacific Trust Bank and The Private Bank of California, were merged to form Banc of California. Steven Sugarman served as founding CEO of the newly branded institution.

Question 3

Where is Banc of California headquartered?

Accepted Answer

Banc of California is headquartered at 11611 San Vicente Boulevard, Suite 500, Los Angeles, California, 90049. The bank maintains its executive offices in the West Los Angeles area, reflecting its strong commitment to Southern California's business community.

The headquarters location positions the bank at the center of one of the nation's most dynamic economic regions, with access to diverse industries including entertainment, technology, healthcare, and real estate.

Question 4

Where does Banc of California operate?

Accepted Answer

Banc of California operates 88 branches across multiple states, with the vast majority concentrated in California. The bank has 81 branches throughout California, spanning from San Diego County in the south to the Central Coast region, and across the greater Los Angeles metropolitan area into the Inland Empire.

Key California markets include Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Bakersfield, and the Coachella Valley. The bank also maintains a branch in Durham, North Carolina and another in Denver, Colorado, extending its reach beyond its core California market.

Banc of California employs approximately 2,000 people nationwide, with additional staff in New York and Chicago supporting specialized business lines.

Question 5

What services does Banc of California offer?

Accepted Answer

Banc of California offers comprehensive commercial and business banking services designed for small- to medium-sized enterprises. The bank's core offerings include commercial lending, commercial real estate financing, treasury management services, and business deposit accounts.

Commercial Banking Services include lines of credit, term loans, equipment financing, and working capital solutions. The bank specializes in serving businesses across multiple sectors.

Real Estate Lending is a significant focus area, with expertise in commercial real estate, construction lending, and investment property financing.

Specialty Business Lines include venture banking, HOA (Homeowners Association) banking services, healthcare banking, education financing, entertainment and media banking, warehouse lending, small business lending, equipment lending and leasing, and SBA lending.

Treasury Management services provide businesses with cash management solutions, ACH processing, wire transfers, merchant services, and fraud prevention tools.

Digital Banking capabilities include mobile banking apps for both personal and business customers, online account management, mobile check deposit, bill pay services, and Zelle® person-to-person payments. The bank offers dedicated mobile applications for iOS and Android devices.

Private Banking and Wealth Services cater to high-net-worth individuals with customized solutions, including private banking accounts, investment advisory services, and relationship management.

Payment Processing is provided through the bank's subsidiary, Deepstack Technologies, offering integrated payment processing solutions for businesses.

Question 6

What makes Banc of California unique?

Accepted Answer

Banc of California distinguishes itself through its unwavering focus on relationship-driven business banking in California. Unlike larger national banks, Banc of California emphasizes personalized service with dedicated relationship managers who understand the unique needs of California businesses.

The bank's transformational 2023 merger with PacWest Bancorp created one of California's largest regional banks and positioned it to fill what CEO Jared Wolff described as a "void of business banks" in California. This merger combined complementary strengths, expanded the bank's capabilities, and created enhanced scale to serve middle-market businesses.

Deep industry expertise sets Banc of California apart, with specialized teams focused on niche markets such as healthcare, education, entertainment and media, warehouse lending, and HOA services. This specialization allows the bank to provide tailored solutions that generic banking institutions cannot match.

The bank has demonstrated strong community commitment, particularly through its philanthropy. In January 2025, following the devastating Southern California wildfires, Banc of California created a Wildfire Relief & Recovery Fund with a $1 million donation and contributed $250,000 to the L.A. Area Chamber's Small Business Disaster Relief Fund to assist small businesses impacted by the disaster.

Strategic partnerships with major investors Warburg Pincus and Centerbridge Partners, who invested $400 million concurrent with the PacWest merger, provide additional credibility and resources for growth.

The bank's California-focused strategy is deliberate and differentiated. While many banks pursue nationwide expansion, Banc of California has doubled down on its home state, building deep market knowledge and community relationships.

Question 7

What type of financial institution is Banc of California?

Accepted Answer

Banc of California is a State Chartered Commercial Bank that is a member of the Federal Reserve System. As a state-chartered bank supervised by the Federal Reserve Board (FRB), it operates under both federal and California state banking regulations.

The bank is FDIC-insured (Certificate #24045), providing deposit insurance protection up to applicable limits for customer accounts. It operates as the wholly-owned subsidiary of Banc of California, Inc., a publicly traded bank holding company listed on the NYSE under the ticker symbol BANC.

As a regional commercial bank, Banc of California focuses primarily on commercial and business banking rather than mass-market retail banking. Its business model emphasizes relationship banking, with dedicated teams serving specific industries and customer segments. This positions it as a community-oriented business bank with the scale and sophistication to compete with larger institutions while maintaining the service quality of a relationship bank.

Question 8

Who leads Banc of California?

Accepted Answer

Jared Wolff serves as President, Chairman, and CEO of Banc of California, Inc., a position he assumed in 2025. Wolff originally joined Banc of California as CEO in March 2019, succeeding Doug Bowers.

Wolff's background uniquely positioned him to lead the transformational PacWest merger. He previously served in several executive roles at Pacific Western Bank from 2002 to 2014, giving him intimate knowledge of both institutions. Industry observers credited Wolff with orchestrating the successful $1.1 billion rescue acquisition of PacWest in 2023, which was announced during regional banking turmoil and closed in November 2023.

Under Wolff's leadership, the bank has focused on building California's premier relationship-focused business banking franchise, emphasizing prudent risk management while pursuing strategic growth opportunities.

Question 9

What was the PacWest merger?

Accepted Answer

In July 2023, during a period of instability in regional banking following the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank, Banc of California announced an all-stock merger agreement with PacWest Bancorp valued at $1.1 billion. The merger was structured as a rescue acquisition designed to restore confidence in both institutions.

Under the merger terms, PacWest stockholders received 0.6569 shares of Banc of California common stock for each PacWest share. Concurrent with the transaction, Warburg Pincus and Centerbridge Partners committed $400 million in new equity capital.

The merger received final regulatory approval in October 2023 and closed on December 1, 2023. Pacific Western Bank merged into Banc of California, with the combined entity operating under the Banc of California name and brand.

In connection with the merger, the banks executed a balance sheet repositioning strategy, selling approximately $1.9 billion in assets including securities portfolios and residential mortgages. These proceeds were used to repay wholesale borrowings and reduce higher-cost funding.

The combined institution emerged with approximately $36 billion in assets, $25 billion in loans, and $30 billion in deposits, making it one of California's largest regional banks and creating a platform capable of serving the state's underserved business banking market.

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