M&A

The acquisition is the first for Hope since a transformative merger last year.

Fourth-quarter profits at Wintrust Financial in Rosemont, Ill., climbed 54% to $54.6 million from a year earlier, helped largely by acquisitions and increases in mortgage banking and other fee income.

The Cleveland company also had a record quarter for its investment banking business.

The Pittsburgh company was aided by high-single-digit organic loan growth in addition to an acquisition that was completed in February.

Asset quality remained solid as the Little Rock company improved loan-to-deposit, efficiency ratios last quarter following two major bank acquisitions.