Financial Code section 1685

(a)

No foreign (other state) bank that does not already maintain a California branch office may:

(1)

Merge as the surviving bank with a California bank pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 1684, unless the California bank has been in existence for at least five years.

(2)

Purchase the whole business unit of a California bank pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 1684 unless the California bank has been in existence for at least five years.

(b)

For purposes of this section, a California bank that is established solely for the purpose of, and does not open for business prior to, acquiring the whole business unit of a second California bank through a merger or purchase is deemed to have been in existence for the same period of time as the second California bank.

Source: Section 1685, https://leginfo.­legislature.­ca.­gov/faces/codes_displaySection.­xhtml?lawCode=FIN§ionNum=1685.­ (updated Jan. 1, 2012; accessed Jun. 18, 2026).

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Verified:
Jun. 18, 2026

§ 1685's source at ca​.gov