SANTA ANA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Banc of California, Inc. (“Banc of California”) (NYSE: BANC) today announced the appointments of Todd Schell, a principal of Warburg Pincus LLC, and John M. Eggemeyer, Paul R. Burke, and Susan E. Lester, each directors of PacWest Bancorp (“PacWest”), to the board of directors of Banc of California (the “Board”), with Mr. Eggemeyer to serve as Chairman of the Board, effective as of and contingent upon the closing of the anticipated merger with PacWest. The merger is expected to close on or about November 30, 2023, subject to the satisfaction of remaining closing conditions including receipt of the requisite stockholder approvals. In connection with and contingent upon the closing of the merger, esteemed directors Bonnie G. Hill, Denis P. Kalscheur, Jonah F. Schnel and Robert D. Sznewajs will be retiring from the Board.
“We are very pleased to welcome Todd, John, Paul and Susan to the Board, who bring with them a wealth of financial and banking industry expertise and a deep familiarity with PacWest that will accelerate our ability to realize the value created by our combined company,” said Jared Wolff, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Banc of California. “We continue to be very excited about the prospects of the combined company and look forward to closing the merger on or around November 30.”
“Furthermore, we would like to express our deep gratitude and thanks to Bob, Bonnie, Denis and Jonah for their invaluable contributions and dedication to Banc of California over their years of service,” Mr. Wolff added. “Their tremendous leadership and guidance were instrumental in leading Banc of California to this important milestone.”
Todd Schell, Principal in Warburg Pincus LLC’s Financial Services group, commented, “Warburg Pincus looks forward to the successful closing of this transformational merger and we are excited about the opportunity to create substantial value from the combined business.”
Mr. Schell continued, “We are well positioned to build California’s premier relationship-focused business bank. We have been impressed with the camaraderie and diligence of the combined team and recognize the substantial planning it took to get us to this point. I look forward to working with my fellow Board members to help the company achieve its strategic goals and deliver for all of our shareholders well into the future.”
About Banc of California, Inc.
Banc of California, Inc. (NYSE: BANC) is a bank holding company with $9.25 billion in assets at September 30, 2023 and one wholly-owned banking subsidiary, Banc of California, N.A. (the “Bank”). The Bank has 32 offices including 26 full-service branches located throughout Southern California. Through our dedicated professionals, we provide customized and innovative banking and lending solutions to businesses, entrepreneurs and individuals throughout California, and full stack payment processing solution through our subsidiary Deepstack Technologies. We help to improve the communities where we live and work, by supporting organizations that provide financial literacy and job training, small business support and affordable housing. With a commitment to service and to building enduring relationships, we provide a higher standard of banking. We look forward to helping you achieve your goals. For more information, please visit us at www.bancofcal.com.
About Warburg Pincus
Warburg Pincus LLC is a leading global growth investor. The firm has more than $83 billion in assets under management. The firm’s active portfolio of more than 250 companies is highly diversified by stage, sector, and geography. Warburg Pincus is an experienced partner to management teams seeking to build durable companies with sustainable value. The firm has a nearly 30-year history of investing in the banking sector, having invested over $3.5 billion in 21 regulated banking institutions around the world. Notable U.S. bank investments include Dime Bancorp, Mellon Bank, Webster Financial, Sterling Financial and National Penn Bancshares. Founded in 1966, Warburg Pincus has raised 20 private equity and 2 real estate funds, which have invested more than $112 billion in over 1,000 companies in more than 40 countries. The firm is headquartered in New York with offices in Amsterdam, Beijing, Berlin, Hong Kong, Houston, London, Luxembourg, Mumbai, Mauritius, San Francisco, São Paulo, Shanghai, and Singapore. For more information, please visit www.warburgpincus.com. Follow us on LinkedIn.
Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Information
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws with respect to the proposed transaction between Banc of California and PacWest and the proposed investment by Warburg Pincus LLC and Centerbridge Partners, L.P. (collectively, the “Investors”) in equity securities of Banc of California pursuant to the investment agreements entered into between the Investors and Banc of California (the “Investment Agreements”). Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of the words such as “ estimate,” “plan,” “project,” “forecast,” “intend,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “seek,” “strategy,” “future,” “opportunity,” “may,” “could,” “target,” “should,” “will,” “would,” “will be,” “will continue,” “will likely result,” or similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters, although not all forward-looking statements contain such identifying words. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the proposed transaction between Banc of California and PacWest and the proposed investment by the Investors, including statements as to the expected timing, completion and effects of the proposed transaction. These statements are based on various assumptions, whether or not identified in this document, and on the current expectations of Banc of California’s and PacWest’s management and are not predictions of actual performance, and, as a result, are subject to risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to serve as, and must not be relied on by any investor as, a guarantee, an assurance, a prediction or a definitive statement of fact or probability. Actual events and circumstances are difficult or impossible to predict, may differ from assumptions and many are beyond the control of Banc of California and PacWest. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to: (i) the risk that the proposed transaction may not be completed in a timely manner or at all; (ii) the failure to satisfy the conditions to the consummation of the proposed transaction, including obtaining the requisite approval of the Banc of California stockholders and PacWest stockholders within the time period provided in the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated July 25, 2023, by and among PacWest, Banc of California and Cal Merger Sub, Inc. (the “Merger Agreement”); (iii) the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstance that could give rise to the termination of the Merger Agreement or the Investment Agreements; (iv) the inability to obtain alternative capital in the event it becomes necessary to complete the proposed transaction; (v) the effect of the announcement or pendency of the proposed transaction on Banc of California’s and PacWest’s business relationships, operating results and business generally; (vi) risks that the proposed transaction disrupts current plans and operations of Banc of California and PacWest; (vii) potential difficulties in retaining Banc of California and PacWest customers and employees as a result of the proposed transaction; (viii) Banc of California’s and PacWest’s estimates of its financial performance; (ix) changes in general economic conditions; (x) changes in the interest rate environment, including the recent increases in the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System benchmark rate and duration at which such increased interest rate levels are maintained, which could adversely affect Banc of California’s and PacWest’s revenue and expenses, the value of assets and obligations, and the availability and cost of capital and liquidity; (xi) the impacts of continuing inflation; (xii) the credit risks of lending activities, which may be affected by deterioration in real estate markets and the financial condition of borrowers, and the operational risk of lending activities, including the effectiveness of Banc of California’s and PacWest’s underwriting practices and the risk of fraud; (xiii) fluctuations in the demand for loans; (xiv) the ability to develop and maintain a strong core deposit base or other low cost funding sources necessary to fund Banc of California’s and PacWest’s activities particularly in a rising or high interest rate environment; (xv) the rapid withdrawal of a significant amount of deposits over a short period of time; (xvi) results of examinations by regulatory authorities of Banc of California or PacWest and the possibility that any such regulatory authority may, among other things, limit Banc of California’s or PacWest’s business activities, restrict Banc of California’s or PacWest’s ability to invest in certain assets, refrain from issuing an approval or non-objection to certain capital or other actions, increase Banc of California’s or PacWest’s allowance for credit losses, result in write-downs of asset values, restrict Banc of California’s or PacWest’s ability or that of Banc of California’s or PacWest’s bank subsidiary to pay dividends, or impose fines, penalties or sanctions; (xvii) the impact of bank failures or other adverse developments at other banks on general investor sentiment regarding the stability and liquidity of banks; (xviii) changes in the markets in which Banc of California and PacWest compete, including with respect to the competitive landscape, technology evolution or regulatory changes; (xix) changes in consumer spending, borrowing and saving habits; (xx) slowdowns in securities trading or shifting demand for security trading products; (xxi) the impact of natural disasters or health epidemics; (xxii) legislative or regulatory changes; (xxiii) impact of operating in a highly competitive industry; (xxiv) reliance on third party service providers; (xxv) competition in retaining key employees; (xxvi) risks related to data security and privacy, including the impact of any data security breaches, cyberattacks, employee or other internal misconduct, malware, phishing or ransomware, physical security breaches, natural disasters, or similar disruptions; (xxvii) changes to accounting principles and guidelines; (xxviii) potential litigation relating to the proposed transaction that could be instituted against Banc of California, PacWest or their respective directors and officers, including the effects of any outcomes related thereto; (xxix) volatility in the trading price of Banc of California’s or PacWest’s securities; (xxx) the ability to implement business plans, forecasts, and other expectations after the completion of the proposed transaction, and identify and realize additional opportunities; and (xxxi) unexpected costs, charges or expenses resulting from the proposed transaction. The foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. You should carefully consider the foregoing factors and the other risks and uncertainties described in the “Risk Factors” section of the registration statement (as defined below), and other documents filed by Banc of California or PacWest from time to time with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). These filings do and will identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. If any of these risks materialize or our assumptions prove incorrect, actual events and results could differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. There may be additional risks that neither Banc of California nor PacWest presently knows or that Banc of California or PacWest currently believes are immaterial that could also cause actual events and results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. In addition, forward-looking statements reflect Banc of California’s and PacWest’s expectations, plans or forecasts of future events and views as of the date of this document. Banc of California and PacWest anticipate that subsequent events and developments will cause Banc of California’s and PacWest’s assessments to change. While Banc of California and PacWest may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, Banc of California and PacWest specifically disclaim any obligation to do so, unless required by applicable law. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing Banc of California’s and PacWest’s assessments as of any date subsequent to the date of this document. Accordingly, undue reliance should not be placed upon the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Neither Banc of California nor PacWest gives any assurance that either Banc of California or PacWest, or the combined company, will achieve the results or other matters set forth in the forward-looking statements.
No Offer or Solicitation
This press release is not a proxy statement or solicitation or a proxy, consent or authorization with respect to any securities or in respect of the proposed transaction and shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy the securities of Banc of California, PacWest or the combined company, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No offer of securities shall be deemed to be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act, and otherwise in accordance with applicable law.
Additional Information and Where to Find It
This document relates to the proposed transaction between Banc of California and PacWest and the proposed investment in Banc of California by Investors. On August 28, 2023, Banc of California filed a registration statement on Form S-4 (the “registration statement”) with the SEC (as amended on September 29, 2023, further amended on October 16, 2023 and as further amended on October 19, 2023), which includes a joint proxy statement/prospectus (the “joint proxy statement/prospectus”) of Banc of California and PacWest distributed to holders of Banc of California’s common stock and PacWest’s common stock in connection with Banc of California’s and PacWest’s solicitation of proxies for the vote by Banc of California’s stockholders and PacWest’s stockholders with respect to the proposed transaction and also constitutes a prospectus of Banc of California. The registration statement was declared effective by the SEC on October 20, 2023 and the definitive joint proxy statement / prospectus was first mailed on or around October 23, 2023 to Banc of California’s and PacWest’s respective stockholders that, as of the applicable record date, are entitled to vote on the matters being considered at the Banc of California stockholder meeting and at the PacWest stockholder meeting, as applicable.
BEFORE MAKING ANY VOTING OR INVESTMENT DECISION, INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS ARE URGED TO CAREFULLY READ THE ENTIRE REGISTRATION STATEMENT AND DEFINITIVE JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS (INCLUDING ALL AMENDMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTS THERETO), AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC, AND THE DEFINITIVE VERSIONS THEREOF, AS WELL AS ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS TO SUCH DOCUMENTS, CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY BECAUSE THEY CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION.
Investors and security holders may obtain free copies of the registration statement, the definitive joint proxy statement/prospectus and all other relevant documents filed with the SEC by Banc of California or PacWest through the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov.
The documents filed by Banc of California or PacWest with the SEC also may be obtained free of charge at Banc of California’s or PacWest’s website at https://investors.bancofcal.com, under the heading “Financials and Filings” or www.pacwestbancorp.com, under the heading “SEC Filings” , respectively, or upon written request to Banc of California, Attention: Investor Relations, 3 MacArthur Place, Santa Ana, CA 92707 or PacWest, Attention: Investor Relations, 9701 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 700, Beverly Hills, CA 90212, respectively.
Participants in Solicitation
Banc of California and PacWest and their respective directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from Banc of California’s stockholders or PacWest’s stockholders in connection with the proposed transaction under the rules of the SEC. Banc of California’s stockholders, PacWest’s stockholders and other interested persons may obtain, without charge, more detailed information regarding the names, affiliations and interests of directors and executive officers of Banc of California and PacWest in the registration statement, as well as other documents filed by Banc of California or PacWest from time to time with the SEC. Other information regarding persons who may, under the rules of the SEC, be deemed the participants in the proxy solicitation of Banc of California’s or PacWest’s stockholders in connection with the proposed transaction and a description of their direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, is included in the definitive joint proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant materials filed with the SEC regarding the proposed transaction. You may obtain free copies of these documents at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Copies of documents filed with the SEC by Banc of California or PacWest will also be available free of charge from Banc of California or PacWest using the contact information above.
