Bank on top

Three banks with a major presence in the region are some of the top-performing big banks in the country, according to the Forbes Best Banks in America list.

The magazine, analyzing data from S&P Global Market Intelligence, ranked banks based on 10 metrics related to growth, profitability, capital and asset quality. Metrics include nonperforming assets as a percent of assets, risk-based capital ratio and reserves as a percent of nonperforming assets. Data is through Sept. 30.

One trend is size, relatively speaking, doesn't necessarily equate to good performance. Bank of America, for example, with $2.19 trillion in assets, is ranked No. 97. In comparison, the top five banks total $64 billion in assets. Los Angeles-based PacWest Bancorp is No. 1.