ORANGE COUNTY EARNINGS

Western Bancorp: The Newport Beach company reported a net loss of $4.4 million, or 41 cents a share, for the fourth quarter, compared with net income of $3.4 million, or 32 cents a share, for the comparable period last year. Net income for 1997 was $3.2 million, or 29 cents a share, down from $9 million, or $1.09 a share, for 1996. After-tax merger costs totaled $11.9 million in 1997.

Earnings for 1997 and the fourth quarter of fiscal 1996 include the earnings of Western Bank, which was acquired Sept. 30, 1996. On Jan. 27, Western Bancorp acquired Santa Monica Bank. Total assets increased 8% to $1.4 billion from $1.3 billion.