California Bank of Commerce

What California Bank of Commerce does

California Bank of Commerce, N.A. is a California-headquartered commercial bank operating as the banking subsidiary of publicly traded California BanCorp (Nasdaq: BCAL). The bank was established in 2001 in San Diego and completed a merger of equals with Southern California Bancorp on July 31, 2024, creating a combined entity with approximately $4.2 billion in total assets operating through 27 branches and 4 loan production offices across Northern and Southern California. The bank operates a relationship-based commercial banking model focused on small to medium-sized businesses, professionals (doctors, dentists, lawyers, accountants), public sector entities, and specialized industry verticals including contractors, dental practices, manufacturers, and associations/non-profits.

The bank generates revenue primarily through interest income on commercial real estate loans, business loans, SBA loans, term loans, and lines of credit, complemented by fee-based revenue from deposit services, treasury management (ACH origination, wire transfers, Positive Pay fraud prevention, remote deposit capture), merchant card services (Clover POS, mobile payments, e-commerce processing), international banking (letters of credit, SWIFT-enabled wire transfers to 212 countries), and specialty lending (sponsor finance up to $30M facilities, asset-based lending). Consumer banking products (personal checking tiers, savings, money market, CDs, and Zelle peer-to-peer payments via the BankCBC mobile apps) provide secondary revenue and deposit gathering. The technology stack includes proprietary BankCBC Business and Retail mobile apps, a CBC Online Banking platform with ACH origination and customized reporting, a Compass CRM tool, and the ZEscrow subaccounting service.

The go-to-market motion emphasizes direct banker-to-client relationships with personal accessibility to decision makers, supported by dedicated regional market presidents, vertical industry specialists, active trade association participation, and branch-based service. Distribution combines 27 physical branches, 4 loan production offices in Northern California (Alameda, Contra Costa, Sacramento, and Santa Clara counties), dedicated commercial banking offices, and digital banking channels. Strategic positioning emphasizes SBA Preferred Lender status, 30+ years of public sector banking expertise, and deep vertical specialization that larger institutions typically do not match.

Name

California Bank of Commerce

Legal name

California Bank of Commerce, N.A.

Website

https://californiabankofcommerce.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

California Bank of Commerce is a California-focused commercial bank serving small to medium-sized businesses, professionals, public sector entities, and specialized industry verticals through 27 branches and 4 loan production offices statewide, operating as a subsidiary of publicly traded California BanCorp (Nasdaq: BCAL) with approximately $4.2 billion in combined assets.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Commercial Banking

NAICS

Commercial Banking (52211), Commercial Banking (522110)

SIC

National Commercial Banks (6021), Commercial Banks, Nec (6029)

akta.pro primary industry

SME Deposits & Business Accounts (Operating, Savings, CDs) (FSABABAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Small Business Banking (Microbusiness/Sole Proprietor) (FSABAAAI), Retail Lending (Personal Loans, Auto, Credit Lines) (FSABAAAB), Digital Retail Banking (Online & Mobile) (FSABAAAF), Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals (FSABACAN)

Keywords

• Commercial banking services
• Business lending
• Treasury management
• Merchant services
• Community banking

Headquarters

HQ city

Lafayette

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices19 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Interest Income: Primary revenue stream from interest earned on loans including commercial real estate loans, business loans, SBA loans, term loans, lines of credit, and consumer loans. The bank offers competitive interest rates on various loan products with terms ranging from short-term working capital to 25-year amortizations.
2. Deposit Services: Fees and interest earnings from deposit accounts including business checking, personal checking, savings accounts, money market accounts, and certificates of deposit. Earnings credits from balances on analyzed business checking accounts.
3. Merchant Services: Payment processing fees from merchant card services including credit/debit card processing, mobile payments (Apple Pay, Samsung Pay), e-commerce processing, and Clover POS solutions.
4. Treasury Management Services: Fees for cash management services including ACH collections and payments, wire transfers, lockbox services, remote deposit capture, fraud prevention services (Positive Pay), and business online banking.
5. Zelle Payments: Digital payment services enabling small businesses to send and receive money via Zelle, with enrollment through Treasury Management Department.
6. International Banking Services: Fees from letters of credit (import, export, standby), international wire transfers (USD and foreign currencies), and SWIFT network services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

California Bank of Commerce is a California-focused commercial bank offering business and consumer banking products including checking, savings, CDs, and money market accounts; commercial real estate, business, SBA, term, and consumer loans; merchant card processing; treasury management services; international banking via SWIFT; and specialty industry lending for contractors, dental practices, professional services, public sector entities, manufacturers, non-profits, and PE-backed sponsor finance. The bank operates 14 full-service branches and 4 loan production offices across California following its July 2024 merger of equals with Southern California Bancorp.

Product overview

California Bank of Commerce operates as a regional commercial bank offering a unified platform of business and consumer banking products. The core product portfolio centers on business banking (checking, savings, lending, merchant services, treasury management, international banking, and specialty divisions) complemented by consumer banking (checking, savings, and Zelle payments). The bank serves businesses through specialized industry verticals including contractor banking, dental practice banking, professional services, public sector, manufacturers, and associations/non-profits. Specialty lending divisions cover sponsor finance, asset-based lending, and SBA loans. The merged entity operates 18 branch locations throughout California with comprehensive digital banking via online and mobile platforms. Key technology-enabled products include Zelle peer-to-peer payments, Clover-powered merchant processing, SWIFT international transfers, and integrated treasury management with fraud prevention tools.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Clover: Payment processing solution for businesses to accept credit cards, chip cards, and touchless payments with robust countertop and portable solutions.
• Compass
• ZEscrow
• Zelle

Products and services

• Business Checking Accounts A suite of commercial checking accounts including Basic Business Checking (low transaction activity), Business Checking (moderate activity), Business Plus Checking (moderate-to-high activity and cash needs), and Analyzed Business Checking (higher activity with earnings credits to offset fees). All include debit MasterCard, online banking with Bill Pay, and reduced wire transfer fees. For California-based businesses.
• Business Savings, Money Market, & CDs Savings and investment products for businesses including Business Savings (auto-sweep, interest on $500+ balances), Business Money Market (check-writing with tiered interest), Certificates of Deposit (90-day to 5-year maturities), Business OneRate Premium Money Market, Business Premium Money Market, Business Statement Savings, Escrow Retention Savings, and IOLTA accounts. For business and professional service clients.
• Business Financing Solutions Comprehensive business lending including Business Loans and Lines of Credit (short-term working capital), Term Loans (equipment, tenant improvements, acquisitions), Commercial Real Estate and Construction Loans (up to 75% LTV, up to 25-year amortizations), SBA Loans (Preferred Lender with government-guaranteed financing), Letters of Credit, and Business Credit Cards with rewards programs. For small and medium-sized California businesses.
• Small Business Zelle Digital payment service enabling small businesses to send and receive money via the BankCBC Business app using email or U.S. mobile number, with funds typically available within minutes. No California Bank of Commerce fee for use. For small business account holders.
• Merchant Card Services (Clover) Payment processing solutions powered by Clover for in-person, online, and mobile transactions. Includes Clover devices accepting credit/debit cards, mobile payments (Apple Pay, Samsung Pay), e-commerce gateway integration, business analytics and reporting, invoicing and recurring payments, and PCI compliance support. Also includes the Compass CRM tool for statement access and transaction reporting. For business merchants.
• International Banking International transaction services including Import, Export, and Standby Letters of Credit for global business partners; SWIFT network membership connecting to 10,000+ institutions in 212 countries; and international wire transfers in USD and foreign currencies. For California businesses engaged in international trade.
• Treasury Management Cash management services including Online and Mobile Banking (ACH origination, wire transfers, fraud prevention, custom reporting), Receivables (ACH collections, cash vault, lockbox, merchant services, remote deposit capture), Payables (ACH payments, bill pay, corporate purchasing card, integrated payables), Fraud Prevention (ACH Check Positive Pay, Check Positive Pay, Check Payee Positive Pay), and Information Reporting with FDIC insurance solutions. For business clients.
• ZEscrow Modern escrow and subaccounting service for businesses requiring special cash management tools. Features secure online access integrated with the online banking platform for managing escrow and subaccounting tasks without paper forms or phone calls. For businesses with escrow and subaccounting needs.
• Personal Checking Accounts Consumer checking options including Personal Checking (basic with MasterCard debit and Bill Pay), VIP Checking (higher balances with interest-earning, ATM surcharge reimbursement up to $25 monthly, tiered interest), and eChecking (paperless online option). For individual retail customers.
• Consumer Savings, Money Market, & CDs Personal savings products including Personal Savings (access anytime, interest on $500+), Personal Money Market (immediate access with convenience), and Certificates of Deposit (90-day to 5-year terms for maximizing earnings on cash reserves). For individual consumers.
• Zelle (Consumer) Fast, safe, and easy money transfer service for consumers to send money to friends and family directly from their bank account, typically within minutes. Available through the BankCBC Retail mobile app using email or U.S. mobile number. For individual consumers.
• Associations & Non-Profits Banking Specialized banking for associations and nonprofit organizations including billing/collections/disbursements, working capital balance optimization, money market instruments, and cash flow cycle management with custom financing solutions. For non-profit organizations and associations.
• CBC Specialty Banking Division Broad lending division encompassing sponsor finance, leveraged cash flow, asset-based lending, business credit, and technology lending with national geographic focus. Facility sizes typically up to $30 million including term loans, revolving lines of credit, and delayed draw term loans. For PE-backed, search fund, SBIC, and direct lender clients.
• Sponsor Finance Cash flow-based senior debt financing for private equity firms, search funds, SBICs, and direct lenders supporting buyouts, acquisitions, recapitalizations, refinancing, growth capital, and working capital. Works with businesses generating EBITDA over $2 million. For private equity sponsors.
• Asset Based Lending Financing for privately held, private equity, and venture-backed mid-market companies for working capital, acquisitions, turnarounds, growth financing, debtor-in-possession financing, and inconsistent earnings histories. Includes asset-based lines, recurring revenue lines, and non-formula lines combined with cash flow term loans. Also includes Business Credit with streamlined collateral tracking.
• Contractor Banking Banking services for contractors including term loans, lines of credit, equipment financing, real estate financing, treasury management, and retention escrow accounts. Serves general, underground, highway/street/bridge, heavy/civil engineering, concrete, structural steel, masonry, glass/glazing, roofing, electrical, plumbing/HVAC, drywall/painting, and tile/flooring contractors.
• Dental Practice Banking Specialized banking for dental practices including practice acquisition financing, remodel/expansion loans, commercial real estate financing (conventional or SBA), refinancing options, treasury management with FinTech tools, dental checking accounts, reserve accounts (money market and CDs), commercial/purchasing card programs, merchant card processing, and fraud protection services. For dental practice owners.
• Manufacturers, Distributors & Wholesalers Banking

Quantifiable outcome

• Return on assets at 1.58%
• +4 more outcomes

Segments10 records

Ideal customer profiles9 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• SWIFT (Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication)coreTechnology or IntegrationCalifornia Bank of Commerce is a member of the SWIFT network, enabling the bank to receive financial transactions on behalf of clients through a secure network connecting to more than 10,000 financial institutions in 212 different countries. This partnership enables international wire transfers and foreign currency services for business clients.
• Zelle (Early Warning Services, LLC)coreTechnology or IntegrationCalifornia Bank of Commerce offers Zelle payment services through its BankCBC Business and Retail mobile apps, enabling customers to send and receive money directly from bank accounts. Zelle is a service of Early Warning Services, LLC, allowing convenient digital payments typically within minutes.
• Clover (Fiserv)coreTechnology or IntegrationCalifornia Bank of Commerce offers Clover POS solutions for merchant services, including countertop and portable payment devices paired with apps from the Clover App marketplace for inventory tracking, employee management, and business analytics. Clover is provided through Fiserv.
• Small Business Administration (SBA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCalifornia Bank of Commerce is an SBA Preferred Lender, providing government-guaranteed loans to small businesses with more flexible terms than conventional loan options. SBA loan proceeds can be used for commercial real estate purchase/refinance, construction, equipment, working capital, and inventory.
• Visa/Mastercard/Discover/American ExpresscoreTechnology or IntegrationCalifornia Bank of Commerce merchant services support payment processing for all major credit card networks including Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express. The bank helps ensure merchants maintain PCI compliance with these payment networks.

Scale indicators16 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• First Foundation Inc. First Foundation is a California and Texas-based bank serving high-net-worth individuals, professionals, and SMBs with similar specialty banking products, wealth management, and relationship-driven commercial banking.
• Hanmi Financial Corporation: Hanmi Financial is a California-focused commercial bank serving small to mid-sized businesses with relationship-based banking, SBA lending, and commercial real estate financing—closely comparable in target customer, geography, and product mix.
• CVB Financial (Citizens Business Bank): CVB Financial operates Citizens Business Bank, a California-focused commercial bank serving SMBs, professionals, and municipalities with comparable deposit, lending, and treasury management products and similar branch-based relationship model.
• Pacific Premier Bancorp: Pacific Premier Bancorp is a California-headquartered commercial bank with comparable focus on SMBs, professionals, and specialty verticals, operating similar relationship-based business banking with strong treasury management and SBA lending capabilities.

Broad incumbents

• Columbia Banking System: Columbia Banking System (now Umpqua Bank combined entity) is a Pacific Northwest-headquartered commercial bank with comparable SMB and middle-market business banking products, commercial lending, and treasury management services.
• East West Bancorp: East West Bancorp is a much larger California-based commercial bank serving businesses and professionals with a comprehensive suite of lending, treasury, and international banking services—operating as a scaled incumbent in the same California business banking market.
• Webster Financial: Webster Financial is a regional commercial bank with comparable middle-market banking, healthcare and professional services specialization, and commercial lending capabilities—serving as a broader incumbent analog for the bank's specialty banking model.

Regional players

• Bank of Hawaii: Bank of Hawaii is a regional commercial bank with comparable business banking model and specialty focus on SMBs and professionals, though operating in a different geography (Hawaii) it shares structural similarities in scale and product mix.
• TowneBank: TowneBank is a Virginia-based community and commercial bank with comparable relationship-driven SMB banking, specialty lending (including government contractor banking), and similar asset size providing a structural peer for the post-merger scale.
• Cathay General Bancorp: Cathay General Bancorp operates Cathay Bank, a California-headquartered commercial bank focused on business banking, commercial real estate, and SBA lending, serving a comparable SMB customer base with similar product offerings.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/california-bank-of-commerce

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles23 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about California Bank of Commerce