Orange County banks’ assets dipped slightly this year as business leaders waited for the next moves from the Donald Trump administration and from the U.S. Federal Reserve.
Banc of California in Santa Ana easily held on to its No. 1 position, with assets of $34.2 billion as of June 30, down 2.8% from the same period last year.

That was nearly twice the assets held by No. 2 ranked Pacific Premier Bank before the closing of its takeover by Columbia Bank was announced last month.

Richard Cabrera, a Columbia Bank executive vice president and a member of the financial institution’s leadership team, said the OC economy is “quite resilient.”

“The economy is actually holding up quite well, not withstanding some headwinds that we’re facing.” Cabrera told the Business Journal on Oct. 17.

Third place went to Irvine-based First Foundation Bank with $11.6 billion in assets.

No. 11 ranked Genesis Bank of Newport Beach reported the largest jump, increasing assets 153% to $481.7 million, driven primarily by its recent acquisition of Excel Bank in June.

“The growth in total assets is complemented by our year-over-year increase in total deposits of 221%, with commercial business operating accounts, on average, comprising 51% of total deposits over such period,” Genesis CEO Stephen Gordon told the Business Journal.

“Such accomplishments exemplify our steadfast commitment to providing high-quality products, services, and solutions to our clients, through a consultative and technologically backed approach that is tailored to meet their unique financing, depository, and treasury cash management needs.”

Assets Down Just under 1%

Overall, the 15 banks surveyed with headquarters based in Orange County had $83.3 billion in assets as of June 30, down 0.9% from the same date a year earlier.

The 15 banks tallied a total of $288 million in profits for the year ended June 30, up 12%.
Infinity Bank of Santa Ana took the No. 12 position as its assets jumped to $337 million as of June 30, up 9.3% from the same date in 2024 (see page 1).

“It’s a combination of adding new customers and our current customers growing, which is so satisfying for us when we see our customers be successful and we could see how we had a part in their success,” Infinity President and Chief Operating Officer Victor Guerrero told the Business Journal.

Tom Meyer, president and CEO at No. 13 ranked California Business Bank, said on Oct. 17 that his company has “focused efforts this year on increasing core relationship deposits.”

“Loan backlogs are growing; however, loan pricing is getting more price competitive,” he added. “Bank stock prices have been increasing past several weeks, which can have a dampening effect on merger activity.”

Bank Serving Vietnamese Americans Expands

Fifteenth place on the list went to Westminster-based California International Bank, whose assets jumped almost 30% as of June 30 to just under $75 million.

CEO Thanh Pham says the bank was originally founded to serve the Vietnamese American community in Southern California.

“Over the years, the bank faced a series of challenges, including regulatory scrutiny, leadership turnover, and constrained growth,” Pham told the Business Journal on Oct. 11.

He said those challenges culminated in a federal regulator “enforcement action” that has now been lifted following “significant improvements” throughout the institution.

“As CEO, my vision is to build on the bank’s cultural legacy while expanding our reach and relevance. We’re investing in technology, broadening our service offerings, and deepening our commitment to regulatory excellence,” Pham said.

Research Director Desmond Celo and editor Nancy Luna contributed to this report.