California Code, Financial Code - FIN § 109

“Commercial banking business” includes, but is not limited to, the business of soliciting, receiving, or accepting of money or its equivalent on deposit as a regular business whether the deposit is made subject to check or is evidenced by a certificate of deposit, a passbook, a note, a receipt, or other writing, provided that nothing herein shall apply to or include money or its equivalent left in escrow, or left with an agent pending investment in real estate or securities for, or on account of, his or her principal.  In addition, “commercial banking business” means to lend money on the security of real or personal property or without security;  to discount or deal in bills, notes, or other commercial paper;  to buy and sell for the account of customers, and, if eligible for investment, for its own account, securities, gold and silver bullion, foreign coins, and bills of exchange;  and generally to transact a commercial banking business.