Banking executives talk about how they plan to get new business this year
Steve Gardner
President and Chief Executive
Pacific Premier Bank
In 2011 we expect mergers and acquisitions to play a major role in our growth.
Over the past several years we managed Pacific Premier in a thoughtful and conservative manner so that we could take advantage of the opportunities that are now presenting themselves.
We are seeing a number of interesting options as bank boards are grappling with the difficult operating environment. They realize the regulatory challenges are only going to be more costly going forward and they are now seeking a strategic partner that has the capital and in-frastructure in place to deal with this new reality.
Our business bankers are in the field meeting with existing and prospective business customers every day and we welcome the opportunity to extend credit to those businesses looking to expand operations.
In many ways this is one of the best banking environments we have seen in many years and we are optimistic 2011 will be another terrific year for Pacific Premier Bank.
Kevin Dunigan
Orange County Regional Manager
City National Bank
City National sees a strong potential for growth in Orange County this year, especially in our preferred and private banking areas where we continue to focus on the professional services sector and high net worth households.
We see increasing opportunities among families and individuals that have “big bank fatigue”—those disenchanted with large investment banks or financial institutions that are looking for professional wealth management with a more boutique feel, which is something CNB excels in. We are also seeing increased lending opportunities, especially for business loans for clients looking to buy larger buildings to take advantage of depressed prices.
Glenn Gray
Chief Executive
Sunwest Bank
We anticipate our growth in fiscal year 2011 to be primarily organically driven.
The bank will still generate some gains by working through the non-performing assets we assumed from the failed banks we acquired in late 2009, but our focus this year is on attracting and retaining new clients.
Our existing team of relationship managers has a significant pipeline of prospective new business, plus we hope to recruit several additional relationship managers who can bring over their books of business.
We have the capital, excess liquidity, and above all, the desire to grow our loan portfolio.
Dave Ritchie
Executive Vice President, Regional Head of Commercial Banking for Orange County and North San Diego
Wells Fargo & Co.
We see 2011 as the year for commercial lending.
As business owners are beginning to feel more optimistic about the future and are willing to invest, expand, and take on debt to increase revenues again, we’re going to take our gloves off to work with those who have shown they can successfully manage through the past couple of years—particularly businesses with strong balance sheets that have managed risk well and demonstrated a solid earnings record.
Orange County’s technology and life science sectors are also showing increased signs of growth in both capital raising and mergers and acquisition activity, particularly with many of the pre-profit, venture-backed companies in the area. These companies generate a lot of jobs and are important to Wells Fargo and to the local economy.
Our Southern California Technology and Life Science group’s aim is to continue growing by offering credit and a full suite of banking products to help both pre-profit and mature companies achieve their financial goals. By doing this, we feel we can establish long-term relationships with the best young companies in the market.
Scott Kavanaugh
Cairman and Chief Executive
First Foundation Bank
First Foundation is currently looking to expand its facilities by as much as 11,000 square feet this year and another 11,000 square feet next year. In addition, the firm is still adding employees as it continues to grow and is looking to increase its lending to small business owners and multifamily investors in Orange County. First Foundation’s goal moving forward is to increase its visibility and build upon the firm’s banking relationships.
