XML 118 R28.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT

LITIGATION	9 Months Ended
LITIGATION	Sep. 30, 2019
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
LITIGATION	LITIGATION From time to time we are involved as plaintiff or defendant in various legal actions arising in the normal course of business. In accordance with applicable accounting guidance, the Company establishes an accrued liability when those matters present loss contingencies that are both probable and estimable. The Company continues to monitor the matters for further developments that could affect the amount of the accrued liability that has been previously established. As of September 30, 2019, the Company accrued $20.3 million for various litigation filed against the Company and the Bank, including an accrual for $19.75 million related to the settlement of the securities litigation previously announced by the Company and described below. There is no expected impact to earnings as a result of the settlement, as the settlement payments will be paid directly by the Company's insurance carriers and the Company has recorded an insurance receivable for $19.75 million related to this matter. On September 16, 2019, the Company entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) with the lead plaintiff to settle class action lawsuits that were previously consolidated in the United District Court for the Central District of California (the “Court”) under the caption In re Banc of California Securities Litigation, Case No. SACV 17-00118 AG, consolidated with SACV 17-00138 AG. Under the terms of the MOU, the Company’s insurance carriers would pay $19.75 million, which would be distributed to shareholders who purchased Company stock between April 15, 2016 and January 20, 2017, after payment of attorney’s fees and costs, to be determined by the Court. The Company would not be required to contribute any cash to the settlement payments. Pursuant to the settlement, the action against the Company would be dismissed with prejudice. Plaintiff would also dismiss its claims against the Company’s former Chief Executive Officer and Chairman Steven Sugarman. While the Company does not believe the plaintiff’s claims are meritorious, the Company believes that ending the costs and distraction of the litigation is in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders. The settlement and the dismissals are subject to approval by the Court and meeting certain conditions, and there are no assurances that Court approval will be obtained or that those conditions will be satisfied. If the Court preliminarily approves the settlement, members of the class will be provided notice and an opportunity to object or opt out. Following the notice and opportunity for objections and opt outs, the Court will schedule a fairness hearing at which the Court will determine whether the settlement shall be finally approved. The foregoing description of the settlement does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, the complete text of the settlement stipulation that will be filed with the Court.