** Shares of regional lender Banc of California BANC.N rise 3% to $16.55 premarket
** BANC expects mid-to high-single digit growth in loans this year vs analysts' expectation of 4.2% rise - LSEG data
** Bank expects growth to be led by commercial loans
** Citi analyst Benjamin Gerlinger says BANC's shares could see some upside vs peers due to its discounted valuation and strong loan growth outlook
** Meanwhile, Q4 adjusted EPS of 28 cents tops Wall Street expectation of 23 cents
** BANC stock jumped 15.1% in 2024