header image

[Sign Up Now] to Receive Our FREE Daily SCVTV-SCVNews Digest by E-Mail

Inside
Weather


 
Calendar
Today in
S.C.V. History
December 21
1910 - Newhall (Auto) Tunnel opens, bypassing Beale's Cut [story]
Newhall Tunnel


[California United Bank] – The Boards of Directors of San Fernando Valley headquartered California United Bank and Orange County based Premier Commercial Bancorp announced Friday that the companies entered into a merger agreement providing for California United Bank or a holding company to be formed for California United Bank (“CU Bancorp”), to acquire Premier Commercial Bancorp and its subsidiary Premier Commercial Bank.

The acquisition is valued at approximately $38.1 million, with the consideration being paid in the form of common stock of a bank holding company to be established, subject to regulatory and shareholder approval, for California United Bank. At September 30, 2011, California United Bank had total assets of $791.7 million, total deposits of $671.9 million, total loans of $465.1 million and eight offices; Premier Commercial Bancorp had assets of $450 million, total deposits of $386 million, net loans of $307 million and two offices. Upon completion of the transaction, California United Bank will have over $1.2 billion in assets, over $1 billion in deposits and over $772 million in loans. The transaction is expected to be immediately accretive to the combined entity’s earnings per share, excluding one-time transaction expenses. This is the second merger transaction by six year old California United Bank which acquired California Oaks State Bank in December 2010.

California United Bank intends to continue to operate both of Premier Commercial Bank’s branches in Anaheim and Newport Beach/Irvine as full-service branches. The California United Bank Orange County Loan Production Office will be combined with the Premier Commercial Bank Newport Beach/Irvine branch. At close, California United Bank will operate eight full-service branches; located in the San Fernando Valley, Santa Clarita Valley, Los Angeles, the South Bay, Conejo Valley, Simi Valley, Anaheim and Newport Beach/Irvine; and one commercial lending office located in Glendale/San Gabriel Valley.

The merger has been approved by the Boards of Directors of all parties. The transaction is subject to approval by bank regulatory authorities and the shareholders of California United Bank, CU Bancorp and Premier Commercial Bancorp, as well as other customary conditions. The bank holding company formation for CU Bancorp is also subject to approval by bank regulatory authorities and the shareholders of California United Bank. The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of 2012.

“The combination of CUNB and PCBP will create a strong banking presence in the Southern California Market, allowing us to reach additional clients and provide additional products, including SBA lending,” said David Rainer, President and Chief Executive Officer of California United Bank. “We have always believed that Orange County presents significant opportunities for our middle-market focused business lending. We are pleased that PCBP Chairman and CEO Kenneth Cosgrove and Board member Robert Matranga will be joining our Board of Directors and assisting us as we partner with Premier Commercial Bank and its talented staff. We believe the strategic opportunities of this transaction are extremely attractive. The combination is expected to create one of the largest independent banks headquartered in Southern California and presents significant prospects for our communities, employees and shareholders. The merger with PCBP, which includes two full-service branches in Orange County, is a logical step in our strategy to achieve critical mass by expanding in local and adjacent markets with attractive demographics and to continue to build franchise value for our new and current shareholders.”

“Premier Commercial Bank has a history of strong credit quality and a tradition of relationship banking which will combine well with California United Bank’s commitment to these same values,” concluded Rainer.

“We believe this is a considerable opportunity for our customers and employees and offers our shareholders not only an excellent value but provides them with the ability to participate in the long-term growth opportunity of our combined franchise,” commented Kenneth Cosgrove, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Premier Commercial Bancorp and Premier Commercial Bank, N.A. “The capabilities of a larger institution will enable us to better penetrate our markets and expand our menu of services. California United Bank has built a strong franchise and we look forward to being a part of its future. I am pleased to be continuing on the Board of Directors of the combined company after the merger.”

The merger will be immediately preceded by the formation of CU Bancorp as a bank holding company for California United Bank. Premier Commercial Bank will be merged with and into California United Bank, with California United Bank and its California state banking charter surviving.

Premier Commercial Bancorp shareholders will receive 3,721,442 shares of CU Bancorp Stock which approximates a one for one exchange of shares. The value of California United Bank stock as of December 8, 2011 was $10.25 per share. Adjustment of the number of shares will occur upon certain changes in the market value of California United Bank stock. The receipt of CU Bancorp stock by shareholders of Premier Commercial Bancorp is expected to be structured as a tax-free exchange.

Both banks have been active in their communities with philanthropic activities. Among the charities they support are: The Boys and Girls Club of the West Valley, Casa Pacifica, Carousel Ranch, St. Joseph Hospital Foundation, Semper Fi Fund, Boys and Girls Club of Stanton and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Both banks have received the coveted “Outstanding” rating from their bank regulators for performance under the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA).

Hovde Financial, Inc. acted as financial advisor to California United Bank and rendered a fairness opinion to the California United Bank Board of Directors. The Findley Group acted as financial advisor to Premier Commercial Bancorp and Vining Sparks rendered a fairness opinion to the Board of Directors of Premier Commercial Bancorp in conjunction with this transaction. Horgan, Rosen, Beckham & Coren acted as outside legal counsel to California United Bank and Gary Steven Findley and Associates acted as counsel for Premier Commercial Bancorp.

 

About California United Bank

California United Bank, which recently celebrated the sixth anniversary of its opening, provides a full range of financial services, including credit and deposit products, cash management, and internet banking for business, entrepreneurs, professionals and high net worth individuals throughout Southern California from offices in the San Fernando Valley, the Santa Clarita Valley, the Conejo Valley, Simi Valley, Los Angeles, South Bay, Glendale/San Gabriel Valley and Orange County. To view California United Bank’s most recent financial information, please visit the Investor Relations section of the Bank’s Web site. Information on products and services may be obtained by calling (818) 257-7700 or visiting the Bank’s Web site at www.cunb.com.

 

About Premier Commercial Bancorp

Premier Commercial Bancorp is the parent and bank holding company for Premier Commercial Bank, N.A. Premier Commercial Bank with $450 million in assets is located in Orange County with offices in Anaheim and Newport Beach/Irvine. Premier Commercial Bank was founded in 2001 as a locally owned community business bank. The bank provides a full range of products and services including commercial, real estate and SBA loans as well as cash management products and deposit services to businesses, entrepreneurs, professionals and the hospitality industry. Its unique capability in diversified lending, in addition to its customary community bank credit products, helps its customers meet their cash management goals. Further information may be obtained at www.pcboc.com.

 

Additional Information About the Transaction for Stockholders

In connection with the bank holding company formation and the proposed merger with Premier Commercial Bancorp, CU Bancorp will file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) a Registration Statement that will include a joint proxy statement of CU Bancorp, California United Bank and Premier Commercial Bancorp that also constitutes a prospectus of CU Bancorp. California United Bank, CU Bancorp and Premier Commercial Bancorp will each mail the proxy statement/prospectus to their respective stockholders. Investors and security holders are urged to read the proxy statement/prospectus regarding the proposed merger when it becomes available, as well as any amendments or supplements to those documents, because it will contain important information. You may obtain a free copy of the proxy statement/prospectus (when available) and other related documents filed by CU Bancorp or California United Bank by writing to California United Bank, 15821 Ventura Boulevard, Suite 100, Encino, CA 91436, Attention: Corporate Secretary. The proxy statement/prospectus (when it is available) and the other documents may also be obtained for free by accessing California United Bank’s website at www.cunb.com under the tab “Investor Relations” and then under the heading “Filings”.

CU Bancorp, California United Bank, Premier Commercial Bancorp and Premier Commercial Bank, N.A. and their directors, and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from their shareholders in connection with the proposed merger. Information about the directors and executive officers of CU Bancorp, California United Bank and Premier Commercial Bancorp will be set forth in the proxy statement /prospectus relating to the merger when it becomes available. Information about California United Bank’s directors and executive officers is available in its Annual Report on Form 10-K and Form 10-KA for the year ended December 31, 2010, which were filed with the Federal Deposit insurance Corporation on March 14, 2011 and April 29, 2011, respectively, and its notice of annual meeting and proxy statement for its most recent annual meeting, which was filed with the FDIC on September 9, 2011. These documents are available at www.cunb.com under the Investor Relations tab.

Comment On This Story
COMMENT POLICY: We welcome comments from individuals and businesses. All comments are moderated. Comments are subject to rejection if they are vulgar, combative, or in poor taste.
REAL NAMES ONLY: All posters must use their real individual or business name. This applies equally to Twitter account holders who use a nickname.

0 Comments

You can be the first one to leave a comment.

Leave a Comment


Latest Additions to SCVNews.com
The weather might not be "frightful" yet, but Santa Clarita Valley residents may experience a soggy and cold Christmas Day this year. Rain is expected in the SCV beginning Tuesday, Dec. 23 in the evening and continuing into Friday, Dec. 26
Dec. 22: Burn Ban Day for SCV, Rains Start Dec. 23
1910 - Newhall (Auto) Tunnel opens, bypassing Beale's Cut [story]
Newhall Tunnel
1892 - Benjamin Harrison establishes 555,520-acre San Gabriel Timberland Reserve (Angeles National Forest). First forest reserve in California, second in U.S. [story]
map
The Saugus Union School District Governing Board of Trustees elected Matthew Watson as 2026 board president at the Tuesday, Dec. 16 organizational meeting.
Watson Elected SUSD Board of Trustees President
Los Angeles–based painter Jasimen Phillips is a featured artist in the city of Santa Clarita’s “Pop Culture” exhibition, currently on view at the Newhall Community Center through March 25, 2026.
Phillips Examines Evolving Relationship with Technology in Exhibit
The Gibbon Conservation Center in Saugus is requesting donations, including memberships and gibbon adoption sponsorships to reach a matching goal of $15,000.
Gibbon Center Needs Donations to Meet $15K Match
The Santa Clarita Community College District Board of Trustees failed to complete its annual organizational vote to elect a new board president during its meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 17.
COC Board Fails to Elect New President in Deadlocked Vote
There's no better way to celebrate the season than with toys, treats, and rollercoasters. My annual Foster Youth Holiday Party is one of the most special traditions we do each year
Kathryn Barger | Keeping Up With Kathryn
The Canyon Theatre Guild’s production of "A Christmas Story," adds shows due to high ticket demand. Shows have been added on Sunday, Dec. 21 and Monday, Dec. 22.
CTG ‘A Christmas Story’ Adds Shows, Dec. 21-22, Due to Demand
The city of Santa Clarita will present its latest art exhibition, “Pop Culture,” on view at the Newhall Community Center now through March 25, 2026.
City Presents ‘Pop Culture’ Art Exhibit at the Newhall Community Center
This week’s Foothill League matches resulted in the Saugus boys getting a firmer grip on first place, and the Saugus girls slipping into second place. Meanwhile, holiday tournaments are bringing both wins and losses from non-league teams, with more on the way.
Foothill League Soccer: Saugus Boys, Hart Girls Leading
1970 - Snow day in Santa Clarita Valley [photos]
Saugus train station
Do you have a passion for swimming and a desire to make an impact in your community? The city of Santa Clarita is seeking individuals with strong customer service skills and a commitment to community engagement to join its lifeguard team.
Applications Are Open for the Summer 2026 Lifeguard Season
Santa Clarita Valley residents need to put down the yule log and refrain from all residental wood burning fires on Friday, Dec. 19.
Dec. 19: No Burn Day Alert Issued for SCV, South Coast Air Basin
U.S. Rep. George Whitesides (D-Aqua Dulce), announced the winners of the 2025 Congressional App Challenge for California’s 27th Congressional District: the “MathViz” team led by local Academy of the Canyons student, Gautham Korrapati.
Whitesides Announces 2025 Congressional App Challenge SCV Winners
The Mardi Gras Madness 1K/5K/10K, set for March 1, in Santa Clarita, is more than a race, it’s a celebration of health, community and giving back. Now through Wednesday, Dec. 24, take $10 OFF race registration with promo code WINTER10 at checkout.
March 1: JCI Santa Clarita Holds Mardi Gras Madness 1K/5K/10K Runs
Theatre Extempore will present the all time classic musical The Fantasticks, 8-10 p.m. Jan. 9-11. 15-18 at The MAIN.
Jan. 9: Premiere of ‘The Fantasticks’ Presented by Theatre Extempore
West Ranch High School senior Braulio Castillo (17) never did any long-distance running before high school, but what he has accomplished in that demanding discipline since taking it up is impressive. And, so far his senior year, it is phenomenal.
West Ranch Runner Going the Distance
Powerlab Studio will hold its grand opening and ribbon cutting 4:30-5 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 8 at 28110 Newhall Ranch Road, Valencia, CA 91355.
Jan 8: Powerlab Studio Grand Opening, Ribbon Cutting
B2 Entertainment will have a Cookies With Santa event, 3-5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 21 at 21516 Golden Triangle Road, Santa Clarita, CA 91350.
Dec. 21: Cookies With Santa at MB2 Entertainment
The College of the Canyons soccer programs will be hosting 'Friday Night Footy,' small-sided pick-up games, running on Friday evenings Jan. 2 through June 26 at the COC Soccer Facility.
Jan. 2-June 26: Cougars Soccer Programs to Host ‘Friday Night Footy’
College of the Canyons sophomore pitcher Nichole Muro will continue her academic and athletic career at Cumberland University after signing with the Phoenix softball program.
Muro Signs with Cumberland University Softball Program
SCVNews.com