Opus Bank

Opus Bank

Opus Bank was founded in 2011 by Stephen H. Gordon, who previously led Opus Capital, a private investment firm. The bank was designed to provide full-service commercial banking to California-based businesses, professionals, and entrepreneurs, with a particular emphasis on real estate lending and asset-based finance. Through its history, Opus Bank originated loans across commercial real estate, construction, equipment finance, and working capital lines, targeting sectors such as healthcare, technology, and law. The bank's portfolio concentrated on Southern California markets but also served clients in the Bay Area and other regions. Notable lending exposures included multifamily, office, and retail properties, as well as loans to firms like RMC Group and other local developers. At its peak, Opus Bank employed approximately 550 staff and operated branches across California, with offices in Irvine, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego. In May 2020, the bank was placed into receivership by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and its deposits and assets were acquired by PacWest Bancorp (per FDIC release, May 2020). The bank's lending activity had slowed significantly in the years prior, culminating in the regulatory action. Opus Bank's structural differentiator was its hybrid model: it operated as a state-chartered commercial bank but also ran a private banking division that served wealth management clients. This dual structure allowed it to compete with both regional banks and smaller credit unions. After the receivership, the Opus Bank name ceased operations, and no successor entity operates under that banner today.