Greater Los Angeles Chapter of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, Incorporated

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1 August 20, 2014 Greater Los Angeles Chapter of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, Incorporated Comptroller Tom Curry Office of the Comptroller of the Currency 250 E Street, SW Washington, DC SENT VIA Why We Support Banc of California Acquiring Banco Popular Dear U.S. Comptroller Curry, Our organization works closely with the Los Angeles Latino Chamber of Commerce. In particular, we work closely on efforts that will enhance and strengthen the Latino community s efforts in serving Latino businesses. As you know, Latino businesses are generally owned by homeowners and all of us are consumers. Our organization, The Greater Los Angeles Chapter of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, Inc., generally does not write letters to help banks. Los Angeles County, much less across the state. However, we believe that Banc of California should be given a chance to prove that by acquiring Banco Popular, it could be a great bank for the Latino community and a great bank for other communities that need more help. We also believe that any bank willing to commit to becoming an Outstanding bank within two years should be given a chance to prove itself. Therefore, we support the Banc of California acquisition of Banco Popular. However, if they do not fulfill their promises and commitments to be an Outstanding bank for the Latino community, we will report this to you. Thank you for considering our letter. Respectfully, Signature Emanuelle Galvan President and Chairman of the Board Greater Los Angeles Chapter of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, Inc. Greater Los Angeles Chapter of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, Incorporated 408 N. Taylor Ave., Montebello, CA Mission: SHPE the Source for Quality Hispanic Engineers and Technical Talent

2 August 19, 2014 Comptroller Tom Curry Office of the Comptroller of the Currency 250 E Street, SW Washington, DC Many California Latino Chambers of Commerce Support Banc of California s Acquisition of Community Popular Bank Dear Comptroller Curry: This letter is written by the Los Angeles Latino Chamber of Commerce and joined in by the U.S. Latino American Chamber of Commerce, Southern California Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Regional Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Long Beach, Hispanic Chamber of Silicon Valley, San Diego County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Riverside County Black Chamber of Commerce, South Bay Latino Chamber of Commerce, The Greater Lynwood Chamber of Commerce and Greater Riverside Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. All of these organizations support Banc of California s acquisition of Community Popular Bank. As a leading Latino chamber of commerce that intervenes before the federal banking regulators on behalf of our nation s sixty million Latinos, we wish to offer you an explanation as to why many Latino chambers of commerce in California support Banc of California s acquisition of Community Popular Bank. It is because the chambers believe that it will benefit a largely underbanked Latino community, as well as other minority underbanked communities. Our four key points as to why Latino chambers favor the acquisition are as follows: First, there are, in effect, no Latino-owned banks in California that can effectively serve California s sixteen million Latinos. Bank of America, for example, is five thousand (5,000) times larger than the aggregate of all Latino-owned banks in California. Second, as the American Banker recently reported, no new banks are being created anywhere in the nation because it is not economically and financially feasible to start a new bank anymore. This means that if the Latino community, or other underserved minority communities, waits to be served by a Latino-owned bank, it may never be served during the remainder of this century. Third, we are only supporting acquisitions of banks where the acquirer bank, Banc of California in this case, commits to securing an Outstanding CRA rating in Lending, Service and Investments. Virtually, no banks the size of Banc of California strive for, much less achieve, an Outstanding rating in Lending, Service and Investments. 634 S. Spring Street, Suite 600 Los Angeles, CA (p)(213) info@lalcc.org

3 Fourth, no bank acquisition will be supported by us unless the bank works directly with the Latino community to develop small business lending directed at the Latino community, homeownership directed at the Latino community and consumer products that are affordable to the Latino community. That is, we want effective competitors to payday lending. That is, we wish to promote responsible homeownership for the Latino community. And, from the direct perspective of the Latino business chambers, we want to change the paradigm where Latino-owned businesses, one million strong in California, secure less than two percent of the dollar amount of business loans made by banks in California. Thank you Comptroller Curry. All of the chambers we are working with look forward to an early meeting with you in California. 1 Most Sincerely, Theresa Martinez Chief Executive Officer L.A. Latino Chamber of Commerce Gilbert R. Vasquez Chairman of the Board L.A. Latino Chamber of Commerce 1 This matter was discussed late last week with a number of other chambers that have not yet joined this letter. Many expect to do so once they secure approval from their Board of Directors. We will then forward them to you for your consideration. 634 S. Spring Street, Suite 600 Los Angeles, CA (p)(213) info@lalcc.org

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6 CCI OC Supports Banc of California s Acquisition of Banco Popular Dear Comptroller Curry, Christian Community International Orange County(CCI OC) has seen Banc of California demonstrate its strong commitment to giving back to the communities. We are looking forward to seeing more active involvement of Banc of California through its acquisition of Banco Popular throughout Los Angeles and Orange Counties. CCI OC and its members support the Banc of California, and request that your office expedite the acquisition process. We are certain that the Banc of California will be one of the key banks based in Orange County, achieving outstanding ratings in CRA. Best regards, Jorge Enriquez Senior Pastor Christian Community International Orange County

7 OASIS Supports Banc of California s Acquisition of Banco Popular Dear Comptroller Curry, Oasis Center International and other major non-profit organizations in both OC and LA counties have attended Banc of California s community outreach meetings in recent months. Banc of California has informed us that they intend to be an outstanding bank that will help serve our moderate and low-income geographies in diverse efforts. Banc of California is committed in modeling best practices in all disciplines of their banking business. OASIS is looking forward in working closely with Banc of California, and request your prompt approval in their acquisition of Banco Popular. Respectfully Submitted, Jin Sung, Executive Director OASIS Center International

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9 July 11, 2014 Mr. Gary Dunn SVP, CRA and Community Development Officer Bane of California Von Karman Ave, Suite 1100 Irvine, CA Dear Mr. Dunn: Bread of Life is a California non-profit community based organization located in Oceanside, CA serving the homeless and poor of North San Diego County. We serve as a cold weather shelter for a six city area, provide meal service six nights a week, serve as a food distribution location for Feeding America and the San Diego Food Bank, and provide counseling and referral services, clothing and hygiene products. We support the acquisition of Popular Bank by Bane of California. We are confident that Bane of California will achieve an "Outstanding" CRA rating and appreciate their increased presence and commitment to investment in our local underserved communities. Please feel free to contact me should you have any questions. We look forward to a successful partnership and collaboration with Bane of California. Sincerely, ~~~ Pastor Alan Lauer 1919 Apple Street, Oceanside, CA (760)

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13 NetServe Systems, Inc. July 10, 2014 Gary Dunn SVP, Community Development Officer Banc Of California Von Karman Ave., Suite 1100 Irvine, CA RE: Support for Popular Community Bank Acquisition Dear Mr. Dunn: As a small successful minority-owned technical firm, we are encouraged by Banc of California s proposed acquisition of Popular Community Bank. The continued growth of Banc of California is assets and branches should also grow the ability to serve small minority-owned businesses, many of who are clients of ours. Many of our clients are of ethnic minority and we are confident that Banc of California will continue and enhance support of those enterprises through the establishment of branches in low-income and unbanked neighborhoods as well as outreach that will encourage asset-building through bank use by our clients. We look forward to Banc of California s increased presence and leadership in our communities. Please let us know if we can be of any assistance. Sincerely, Abdi Ahmed President/Chief Technology Officer NetServe Systems, Inc Reynolds Av. Ste. 120 Irvine, CA Office: Cell: Fax: abdi@netservesystems.net Reynolds Ave, suite 120 Irvine, CA Phone: Fax: info@netservesystems.net Web site:

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16 July 10, 2014 Gary Dunn SVP, Community Development Office BANC OF CALIFORNIA Von Karma Ave, Suite 1100 RE: Support for Popular Community Bank Acquisition Dear Mr. Dunn As a board member of the Fullerton Technology Foundation I am pleased to submit a letter of support on behalf of Banc of California s proposed acquisition of Banco Popular. The Fullerton Technology Foundation is a non-profit organization supporting technology in the Fullerton School District for 13, 868 K-8 students. Our mission is to enrich the educational experience of each child in every classroom. Through the generosity of community support, the foundation provides resources, technology, and grants to inspire learning, enhance teaching and create innovative opportunities for students to excel in the 21st century. Our work has provided devices, innovative practice, and financial support for families using technology and technology support for school, students and staff. We have been a foundation for over ten years providing cutting edge technology enrichment and donating over $1,000,000 which has enhanced the mission of the district. FTF has been fortunate to have the involvement from Pac Trust and Banco Popular over the past years and look forward to the acquisition providing continued support. We look forward to Banc of California s increased presence and leadership in our community. Please let us know if we can be of any assistance. Sincerely Janny Meyer Janny Meyer Fullerton Technology Foundation Board Member (Secretary) Fullerton School District Board President

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19 July 1, 2014 Gary Dunn SVP, Community Development Officer Banc of California Von Karman Avenue, Suite 1100 Irvine, CA Dear Mr. Dunn, On behalf of Los Angeles Team Mentoring (LATM), I am pleased to express my support of the proposed Banc of California merger with the Popular Community Bank branches of Southern California. LATM has been serving underserved communities in Los Angeles for over 20 years, providing critically needed mentoring services to at-risk middle school youth. LATM operates one of the largest middle school mentoring programs in Los Angeles, serving approximately 1,300 youth per year, and over 22,000 youth since its inception in LATM s team-based mentoring programs operate in 11 different school communities around Los Angeles. While each school community is different, 95% of the students served are coming from low-to-moderate income (LMI) families, with 87% considered to be coming from very low-income families. The average family income for a student in LATM s mentoring programs is $23,347 for a family of 5. Additionally, LATM serves a primarily Hispanic/Latino population of students (76%), which closely reflects the demographics within Los Angeles and the Los Angeles Unified School District. Though LATM s relationship with Banc of California is relatively new, the level of commitment that Mr. Sugarman and Banc of California have already shown our students has been truly remarkable. Under the leadership of Mr. Sugarman, Banc of California made a significant commitment of funding and volunteer resources to support LATM s TeamWorks University experience, during which over 800 LMI youth attended a day of exposure to college awareness and financial literacy. Over 50 bank associates volunteered their time and talent to educate students on the importance of education, and how to achieve greater financial stability for themselves and their families. Further demonstrating his commitment to LATM s mission of assisting LMI families and communities, Mr. Sugarman recently joined the Board of Directors at LATM, and has committed to renewing the bank s support of the invaluable TeamWorks University experience in the upcoming school year. LATM looks forward to a continuing relationship with Banc of California, and anticipates the upcoming merger will result in an improvement of services to under banked communities across Southern California. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions at or at svegnone@latm.org. Thank you, Sabrina Vegnone Executive Director, Los Angeles Team Mentoring

20 June 26, 2014 Mr. Gary Dunn SVP, Community Development Officer BANC OF CALIFORNIA Von Karman Ave., Suite 1100 Irvine, CA RE: Support of Popular Community Bank Acquisition Dear Mr. Dunn, I am pleased to submit this letter of support on behalf of Banc of California s proposed acquisition of Popular Community Bank s California Division. As a nonprofit organization focused on providing low-income young adults with the skills and support needed to get on a path to economic stability, Taller San Jose welcomes the expanded presence of Banc of California in the low-income, predominantly Latino, communities that we serve throughout Orange County. In eighteen years of working with young adults living in poverty, Taller San Jose has come to understand the importance of linking low-income individuals to financial institutions that understand their needs. We are confident that Banc of California would serve as a powerful partner to unbanked individuals, and to those working to build assets, including our program participants. We look forward to Banc of California s continued growth. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions. Sincerely, Shawna Smith Executive Director 801 North Broadway Santa Ana, CA Phone (714) Fax (714) Sponsored by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange

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23 Administrative Offices Mailing Address: P.O. Box 15868, Los Angeles, CA Founder Mickey Kantor, Esq. Board of Directors Mercedes Morton, Esq., Chair Chris Modrzejewski, Vice Chair Albert Chavez, Treasurer Teresa Cisneros Burton, Secretary Scott Budnick Jimmie Cho Risa Green Helenann Hirsch Ann Hollister Stuart Laff Bryan LeRoy Mary Leslie Antonio Manning Samantha Martinez Phil Recht, Esq. John Rego Marisol Rodriguez Heidi Schulman Steve Shestag Ari Swiller Dana S. Treister, Esq. John Van de Kamp, Esq. Dawn Wilson June 26, 2014 Steve Sugarman President & CEO Banc of California Von Karman Ave., Suite 1100 Irvine, CA Dear Mr. Sugarman: On behalf of the Los Angeles Conservation Corps, I am writing to say how grateful we are for our partnership with the Banc of California. We support the pending Banc of California merger with Banco Popular. The mission of the LA Conservation Corps is to provide at-risk young adults with opportunities for success through job skills training, education and work experience with an emphasis on conservation and service projects that benefit the community. For the past 28 years we have worked with young adults that live in the most impoverished communities in LA County. Nearly 100 percent of the over 800 young people that work in our Clean & Green and Young Adult Corps programs come from low-to-moderate income (LMI) households. The LA Conservation Corps is committed to lifting these young people out of poverty through job training and education. At the same time, the work our participants do in low-income communities (building parks, gardens and trails; cleaning alleys and streets; removing graffiti and recycling) improves the health and well-being of their neighbors. It also reduces crime which improves the likelihood that businesses will locate there and provide jobs. The significant financial support we have received from the Banc of California has assisted us as we help our participants into jobs and career tracks that will provide them with a self-sustaining future. As they succeed they will be able to break the cycle of generational poverty so prevalent in these communities. We look forward to working with the bank s new Community Development Officer, Gary Dunn as he implements the Banc of California s CRA strategy because we have a shared mission of bringing economic success to all of the communities in Los Angeles. In addition to the financial support provide, Mr. Dunn has indicated the bank would like to assist us with expertise in marketing, human resources and other areas. Indeed by featuring the LA Conservation Corps and our Board Chair, Mercedes Morton, on your website, you have helped us to increase awareness about our programs. We look forward to working with you and Mr. Dunn in the future. Based upon the significant support we have received from Banc of California demonstrating your commitment to lowincome communities, we are certain that the merger with Banco Popular will be beneficial to the community. Attn: Margarite Brown Sincerely, Roy E. Crummer Foundation 567 San Nicolas Dr., Suite 410B Newport Beach, CA Wendy A. Butts Chief Executive Officer 605 W. OLYMPIC BOULEVARD, SUITE 450, LOS ANGELES, CA TELEPHONE (213) FACSIMILE (213)

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31 MARY ERICKSON COMMUNITY HOUSING A NOIl-PIY?fit Corporationfor Affordable Housing Board of Directors Gary Dunn President Rich Saeger Vice President John C. Gould III Secretary Dave Adams Treasurer Gerald R. Gibbs Director at Large Kathleen Loewy Johnson Director at Large Barbara Alongi Doug Bystry Karen Haggard Barbara Isaacs Justin McCarty Jean Swanson Executive Director Susan McDevitt June 23, 2014 Mr. Steve Sugarman President & CEO BANC OF CALIFORNIA Von Karman Ave. Suite 1100 Irvine, CA RE: Support of Acquisition Dear Mr. Sugarman: of Banco Popular I am writing this letter to provide our support of the acquisition of Banco Popular by Banc of California. Mary Erickson Community Housing (MECH) is a 501 (c)(3) community development organization working in Banc of California's assessment areas. MECH has provided affordable housing for very low to moderate income working families in Southern California for over 20 years. We applaud your commitment to attain an "Outstanding" CRA rating and to the expansion of services and opportunities for our local LMI communities in Orange, Los Angeles and San Diego counties. We also appreciated the invitation to an unprecedented event, for local nonprofits and community leaders to provide input, share thoughts and concerns, and to express community needs and priorities for Banc of California investments. Your commitment to CRA is further reflected by the hiring of Gary Dunn as your Chief CRA and Community Development Officer. Gary has extensive experience and tremendous knowledge of CRA activities and has the passion to "make things happen". We have personal experience with Gary, as he has served on our Board of Directors for many years and currently serves as the President of the Board. Gary's dedication to MEeH, and to the numerous non-profits in the local community that he has helped, has made a difference in the lives of hundreds, if not thousands, of local families. We look forward to continuing to work with Banc of California for many years to come. Please feel free to contact me should you have any questions or would like to further discuss. Si7:jocvn 1!1~ Susan McDevitt Executive Director Corporate Office: P.O. Bm 775 San Clemente, CA ~ ~ Fa:\ Re~ional Office: 400 S. Ramona AYe. #212-U Corona, CA Fax

32 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Chair Armando L. González, FAIA Principal González Goodale Architects, Inc. Secretary Leah Cooper Community Development Representative Manufacturers Bank Treasurer Gary Lee Kosman Founder & CEO America Learns Directors Iris Arvizu Research Director, KVEA 52-Telemundo Los Angeles NBC Universal Telemundo 52 Bruce Gumbiner Vice President & CRA Community Bank Cynthia Mendoza Vice President, Community Relations Banamex USA Les Traub Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer First Credit Bank Emeritus Marcos A. Cajina Founder Centro Latino for Literacy Donald Nollar Principal Nollar & Associates Fernando M. Olguín United States District Judge California Central District President & CEO Mari Riddle Centro Latino for Literacy VIA ELECTRONIC MAIL June 19, 2014 Mr. Steve Sugarman President and CEO BANC OF CALIFORNIA Von Karman Ave, Suite 1100 Irvine, CA RE: Support for Popular Community Bank Acquisition Dear Mr. Sugarman; As a nonprofit community based organization, Centro Latino for Literacy (Centro Latino) has developed innovative solutions that transform lives through literacy since We focus specifically on teaching reading, writing, numeracy, and financial education to nonand low-literate adult Spanish speakers. Centro Latino for Literacy is encouraged by Banc of California s proposed acquisition of Popular Community Bank. This continued growth of Banc of California in assets and branches should also grow the ability to serve currently under-/unbanked families, all of whom are our clients. Centro Latino for Literacy clients are non to low literate Latinos and their families. Our literacy efforts have been supported by Popular Community Bank both financially and by employee volunteers. While our relationship with Banc of CA is just beginning we are encouraged by your selection of the well respected and experienced Gary Dunn as VP Community Development. Under his leadership we are confident that Banc of CA will truly become the Banc for CA and lead the way for best practices in supporting and reaching the rich and diverse communities of this great State. We look forward to Banc of California s increased presence and leadership in our neighborhoods. Please let us know if we can be of any assistance. Sincerely, 1709W. 8 th Street, Suite A Los Angeles, CA T: (213) Mari Riddle President and CEO

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37 June 5, 2014 Mr. Steven Sugarman President & CEO Banc of California Von Karman Ave. Suite 1100 Irvine, CA SENT VIA Qualified Support for Acquisition of Banco Popular Dear Mr. Sugarman, On May 19 th, the undersigned groups met with your Chief CRA and Community Development Officer, Gary Dunn, at a meeting hosted by the Orange County Interdenominational Alliance. And on June 2 nd, the undersigned minority church, small business and nonprofits met with you and your senior executives to discuss small business lending, affordable housing and home originations, consumer issues as they affect low- to- moderate income families and other issues affecting underserved communities. We are all very pleased that you and your entire team are committed to: Receiving Outstanding CRA ratings in lending, service, and investments; Encouraging the development of a community bank with the resources to serve our state s 16 million Latinos and one million Latino- owned businesses; and Working very closely with minority church, small business, homeownership and other nonprofits focusing on the underserved to bring the promise and potential of CRA lending, service and investments to all minority communities. As we discussed at our meeting, with the exception of Korean and Chinese- American- owned banks, there are no minority- owned banks in California with the potential, including financial resources, to serve the Latino community, the Black community or the Southeast Asian community. That is, your bank alone after the merger will be ten times larger than the aggregate assets of all the Latino- owned banks in California; will be at least 15 times larger than the one remaining Black- owned bank in California, and there are no viable banks in California or the nation that are dedicated to serving the Southeast Asian community including our state s two million Filipino Americans and over one million Vietnamese Americans. 15 Southgate Avenue, Suite 200 Daly City, CA Office (650) Fax (650)

38 Over the last few years we have met with US Comptroller of the Currency Tom Curry, FDIC Chair Marty Gruenberg, former Federal Reserve Chair Ben Bernanke, and former Federal Reserve Governor and now Chief Deputy Secretary of Treasury Sarah Bloom Raskin to discuss how the regulators can support community banks that wish to serve the void that presently exists as to the Latino, Black and Southeast Asian and Pacific Islander communities in California and the nation. We will be working closely with your senior staff on a number of projects as a result of the June 2 nd meeting with you. We have confidence that you will attempt to immediately implement your vision and commitment to receiving Outstanding CRA ratings and in part filling the void left by the absence of viable minority- owned banks. This will help create a large community bank committed to the Latino community, to the Black community and to the Southeast Asian and Pacific Islander community. We also hope that other banks will follow your leadership. It is also our hope and expectation that you, your Chief Senior Officer on CRA and Community Development Officer Gary Dunn and your senior staff will therefore make your best good- faith efforts beginning immediately to move toward an Outstanding CRA rating, and in an significant fashion, fill the void created by the absence of viable Latino, Black and Southeast Asian- owned banks in California. We are also prepared to convey to your primary regulator, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, our support for an expedited approval that will enable you to immediately devote the resources toward the achievement of these important goals. We are also available for a conference call with your regulator, and if your regulator wishes, the Federal Reserve, which presently regulates Banco Popular, relating to our support for an expedited approval. 1 Respectfully submitted, /s/ Mark Whitlock Executive Director, Ecumenical Center for Black Church Studies Chair, Orange County Interdenominational Ecumenical Council Director, COR Community Development Corporation Senior Minister, COR AME Church, Irvine, CA /s/ Faith Bautista President & CEO, National Asian American Coalition 1 We state that our support is qualified, solely due to our legal counsel s advice that we should be cautious until actual results occur. However, he has informed us that many of the important results are dependent on the approval of the merger. Therefore, you may treat this as full support assuming that the above Banc of California actions take place quickly. (In fact, some of them are already beginning.) 15 Southgate Avenue, Suite 200 Daly City, CA Office (650) Fax (650)

39 /s/ Jesse Miranda Founder, Jesse Miranda Center for Hispanic Leadership Former CEO, National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference /s/ Charles Dorsey Associate Pastor - Youth and Young Adults, Christ Our Redeemer AME Church, Irvine, CA /s/ Theresa Martinez Chief Executive Officer, Los Angeles Latino Chamber of Commerce /s/ Cathy Zhang Executive Director, Chinese- American Institute for Empowerment Sound of Hope /s/ Sam Rodriguez President, National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference /s/ Gilbert Vasquez Chair, Los Angeles Latino Chamber of Commerce /s/ Sergio De La Mora Senior Pastor, Cornerstone Church of San Diego Co- Founder, Turning the Hearts Center /s/ Jack Miranda Vice Chair, Orange County Interdenominational Alliance 15 Southgate Avenue, Suite 200 Daly City, CA Office (650) Fax (650)

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