TOP WOMEN IN BANKING IN LOS ANGELES - FocalPoint Partners
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CUSTOM CONTENT
F E B R U A RY 10, 2020
TOP WOMEN
IN BANKING
I N LO S A N G E L ES
FEBRUARY 10, 2020 CUSTOM CONTENT – LOS ANGELES BUSINESS JOURNAL
TOP WOMEN IN BANKING
Letter from the Publisher
F
rom wrestling with the potential impact of Brexit to charting a course for their institutions’ responsible
use of artificial intelligence, this year’s most powerful women in banking have faced many challenges
during the past year. The good news locally is that many of the country’s top banking industry thought
leaders are based in the L.A. region.
And many of those leaders happen to be women. Recent census data indicates that the number of women
taking leadership roles in banking organizations continues to grow. This means we can expect the emergence
of more outstanding women bankers, such as those profiled in these pages.
There are some stellar women banking professionals in greater Los Angeles, and we’ve alphabetically
listed some of the best here, along with some basic information about their careers, practices and some recent
accomplishments.
Congratulations to those superb professionals who made this list, and thank you for working to keep the
people and businesses of Los Angeles on the right fiscal track.
Best regards,
Anna Magzanyan
Publisher & CEO
LAUREN ANTION BITA ARDALAN CLAUDIA BODAN KAREN BROWN
Vice President Managing Director, Head of Commercial Banking Los Angeles Region Market President Senior Vice President
Intrepid Investment Bankers Union Bank Commercial Bank of California First Bank
L B C K
auren Antion is a vice president in the ita Ardalan is managing director and laudia Bodan is Los Angeles Region aren Brown, a senior vice president at
Beauty & Personal Care practice at head of commercial banking for Union market president for Commercial First Bank, is an experienced professional
Intrepid Investment Bankers, a subsidiary Bank. As leader of a business with Bank of California. She has been in banker that leads the bank’s Woodland
of MUFG Union Bank, N.A. In her current a 150+ year history on the West Coast, the banking industry for 23 years and her Hills office. She has been the top producer
role, she works with deal teams on originating Ardalan sets its strategic vision and heads professional career has been dedicated to for that office year in and year out.
and executing mergers and acquisitions as a high-caliber team. Ardalan directly helping business entrepreneurs grow their Brown is very well connected in the
well as helping to raise capital across the oversees 200 team members in 21 regional business by being advisory in providing Middle Market Banking community in the
beauty and personal care sector. She serves in and satellite offices, and more than 200 flexible and creative solutions to meet their San Fernando Valley. She has an extremely
key leadership positions in the firm’s analyst partners supporting her team. In September business needs. She is passionate in serving loyal customer base and she provides
recruiting program, firm training committee, of 2019, Ardalan became responsible for the the business and philanthropic community excellent service and consultative advices
and community outreach efforts. Commercial Credit Services group. and is a well-respected leader given her past to her client base. She is active in the
During her tenure at Intrepid, she has Ardalan is a member of the Regional and continuous community contributions. community, regularly making time to work
held significant roles on several high-profile Bank Executive Committee, the decision In 2016, Bodan was awarded the Young with the Boys and Girls Club, Homes for
beauty and personal care transactions. In the making body for MUFG Union Bank’s Hispanic Corporate Achievers award by Families and Camp for Kids. She is an all
past 12 months alone, Antion successfully Regional Bank; a primary voting member The Hispanic Association on Corporate around excellent banker with strong BD and
executed the sale of leading hair care of the Regional Bank’s Deal Screening Responsibility in addition to the Access portfolio management skills.
platform JD Beauty to ACON Investments, Committee; and she sits on the Governance to Capital Banker of the Year Award by
the owners of the leading hair styling tools Committees for various transformation the Department of Commerce and is also
and accessories brand Goody Products; the efforts, including the Commercial Loan a recipient of the Dulcenia Award for
investment by Kainos Capital in prestige Operating System Enhancement, the End- her leadership endeavors in the Finance
skin care brand Beauty Biosciences; and the to-End Credit Simplification, and Libor Community. She has served as president
undisclosed sale of a leading prestige beauty Transition initiatives. Under Ardalan’s of the National Latina Business Women’s
care brand. leadership, Commercial Banking is on a Association Los Angeles Chapter and
steady upward trajectory. California State President for DECA/DEX.
FEBRUARY 10, 2020 CUSTOM CONTENT – LOS ANGELES BUSINESS JOURNAL
TOP WOMEN IN BANKING
ALICE CARR TERESA CASPARY SHERYL CEFALI VERNA GRAYCE CHAO
Managing Director and Head of Community Senior Vice President and West Region Manager Managing Director Executive Vice President, Treasury Services Division
Development Banking U.S. Bank National Association Duff & Phelps City National Bank
JPMorgan Chase
T S A
eresa Caspary is a senior vice president herry Cefali is a managing director in the proven innovator, executive vice
W
ith over two decades of finance and regional manager for the western U.S. Transactions Opinions Practice of Duff & president Verna Grayce Chao is a key
experience, Alice Carr has always and national leader for the escrow product Phelps and heads the Los Angeles office force behind City National’s digital
had a passion for supporting local with the Global Corporate Trust team at of approximately 100 people. A seasoned transformation. City National is creating
communities. As head of community U.S. Bank. Based in downtown Los Angeles, advisor to companies and boards, she has a comprehensive payments ecosystem
development banking for Chase, she Caspary oversees nine offices covering rendered over 100 fairness and solvency to serve the entertainment and business
leads a national real estate business that 14 states and more than 18,000 accounts opinions in connection with transactions for management industries, and Chao is at
lends to and invests in community and across the western U.S. For more than 20 companies ranging in size from small private the center of the bank’s transition. Chao is
economic development projects across the years, her unit has been a market leader in companies to global public companies with focused on upgrading the bank’s technology
U.S. Her team finances the construction providing bond issue trustee and agency over $40 billion in value. to streamline and innovate the payments and
and rehabilitation of housing affordable to services to numerous large corporations and Cefali’s experience includes rendering a accounting industry.
low-income families and seniors in more municipalities, including the City of Los solvency opinion to the board of directors Chao previously led Datafaction, City
than 80 cities in the U.S., as well as invests Angeles and Los Angeles County. of Yum Brands in connection with their National’s accounting solution for the
in tax credits that support neighborhood Caspary’s unit consistently has #1 spin-off of Yum China, a relative fairness entertainment industry and family wealth
revitalization projects, such as to build charter municipal trusteeship market share and opinion in connection with the roll-up and firms. Under her leadership, the bank
schools, health care clinics, and food grocers. either #1 or #2 in corporate market share. IPO of Paramount Group (the largest REIT updated “AgilLink” by Datafaction in
Carr is constantly looking to innovate Nationally, she leads the escrow product, IPO in history), and a solvency opinion to January 2019. This new cloud-based version
and find solutions to continue helping which focuses on providing escrow the board of directors of Darden Restaurants secures client data in City National’s data
to transform our communities. She has a agency services for merger and acquisition in connection with its spin-off of Four center and combines accounting, bill pay,
strong and positive influence at the firm transactions and litigation settlements. Corners Property REIT. Cefali was also one online banking, and document management
and with her team, as well as among her She manages a highly experienced and of the founders of the Women’s Leadership in one single-sign-on system. Chao also
local community. She’s a true advocate for professional staff and enjoys working with Council 17 years ago. launched InvestLink, which allows clients
women, mentoring and encouraging her corporate and municipal customers on bond to create comprehensive financial reports by
colleagues. issues that help the community. integrating their investment data with their
personal financial information.
JACKY DILFER LINDA DUNCOMBE HEATHER ELLISON MEREDITH J. ESAREY
CEO Executive Vice President, Head of Retail Banking Senior Vice President - Regional Manager
Business Finance Capital Chief Marketing, Product and Digital Officer OneWest Bank 1st Century Bank
City National Bank
J H M
acky Dilfer is a commercial lending and eather Ellison is the senior vice eredith Esarey is a senior vice
S
SBA real estate lending expert — and ince joining City National a year ago, president and head of the Retail Branch president – regional manager for 1st
she’s also a dedicated leader and trusted Linda Duncombe has led a complete Banking channel for OneWest Bank, Century Bank and is responsible
advisor, helping each of her clients grow redesign of City National’s mobile the Southern California branch division for leading her team in developing new
their businesses, create job opportunities banking app and has transformed all of City of CIT Group. In this position, Ellison commercial banking clients. She has more
and better serve their communities. Her vast National’s digital channels to better serve oversees OneWest Bank’s branch network than 15 years of banking expertise, spanning
experience in commercial lending extends clients — including Hollywood’s most elite. spanning from San Diego to Ventura both coasts, with experience in commercial,
nearly two decades in the San Francisco Under Duncombe’s leadership, City County and drives the retail banking asset-based and cash flow lending solutions
Bay Area and the Greater Los Angeles area National has significantly raised its strategy. Ellison is currently a program to privately held companies. Esarey’s
where she has led Business Finance Capital’s marketing and media reach by increasing sponsor for CIT’s Women’s Initiative approach is heightened by her unique fusion
(BFC) rapid growth as the organization’s its sponsorships with the Tony Awards Network, an Employee Resource Group of relational and analytical skills — a blend
executive director. In the last decade, and with media giants like CNBC, Variety dedicated to supporting the recruitment, that is further blessed with an empathetic
Dilfer has arranged more than $5 billion in and the Los Angeles Times. She is also engagement, retention, and development of human touch.
commercial and SBA loans ($2 billion since increasing City National’s support of the women across the company. This past year, driven by a desire to
2012), further cementing her position in the entertainment community more broadly Prior to her time at OneWest Bank, increase connectedness and tangible
lending community as a relied upon business through key partnerships that highlight the Ellison served as managing director and opportunities, Esarey spearheaded a
consultant, strategist, and advisor. industry both in front of and behind the Southwest Regional director for Consumer committee of motivated women to launch
The effect of her leadership is camera. Duncombe was also instrumental Banking at JP Morgan Chase, overseeing 1st Century Bank’s Women’s Connection —
demonstrated by the success of BFC and in announcing City National’s recent over 300 branches serving approximately 1.3 an educational discussion group that brings
the entire BFC team’s commitment to acquisition of FilmTrack, which, along with million households in Arizona, Las Vegas and awareness to issues women face in their
upholding high business standards, regulatory the bank’s acquisition of Exactuals in 2018, Southern Utah. Prior to her appointment, personal and professional development. It
compliance, and excellent client service. strengthens City National’s position as the Ellison served as the marketing director- promotes an inclusive environment where
leading bank to the entertainment industry. banking in the Santa Monica market of the women feel safe to share their experiences.
greater LA region, where she was previously
the district manager.
LOS ANGELES BUSINESS JOURNAL – CUSTOM CONTENT FEBRUARY 10, 2020
TOP WOMEN IN BANKING
JANKI LALANI GANDHI MICHELE L. HAVENS MARIA HUNTER CATHERINE JOOYAN
Managing Director President, West Region Vice President Senior Vice President I SBA Regional Sales Manager
Goldman Sachs Northern Trust First Bank U.S. Bank
J M M C
anki Lalani Gandhi is a managing director ichele Havens was named president aria Hunter, a vice president at atherine Jooyan is a senior vice president
in Goldman Sachs’ Cross Markets Group of West Region of Northern Trust in First Bank, is one of the bank’s top responsible for SBA lending in Southern
(CMG), the firm’s middle market offering. March of 2019. In this role, she is contributors in the Middle Market California, as well as several mid-western
Formed in 2019, the group allows Goldman responsible for leading the company’s wealth Lending Group. She exemplifies hard work, states, for U.S. Bank. In her capacity,
Sachs to more effectively deliver their management business in the Western United professionalism, always has a great attitude she is responsible for managing a team of
best-in-class platform to companies that States, Washington to Texas. Previously, and she brings great energy to the team. bankers delivering SBA lending to small
are crucial contributors to local economies she served as president of the Southern Hunter is a key contributor to the success business in her community. Jooyan has
and communities. Within CMG, Gandhi California Region, where she was responsible of First Bank’s newly established Long nearly four decades of banking experience
is primarily focused on beauty and personal for the investment management, trust, estate, Beach office, having been that office’s top where she has served on the executive board
care, and also apparel and accessories. private and business banking business. performer in each of the last three years. She for a community bank and for her trade
Gandhi has been involved in the middle Havens works with high net worth is very active in the community and regularly association, has helped thousands of small
market consumer sector for over 15 years families and their related charitable entities, makes time to focus on her charitable work businesses get the financing they need, and
now. She has established herself through bringing an uncompromising focus on with the YMCA in Los Altos. has provided financial advocacy to business
a number of notable transactions not only clients. In addition, she is a member of owners and her team of respected bankers.
within the past year, but also throughout the Northern Trust’s Wealth Management Jooyan has served as a Girl Scout Leader
her prolific career in investment banking. Executive Committee. She joined Northern for 14 years, where she has helped many
Select deals from 2019 include: helping Trust in 2000. She also serves on the Board girls learn about finance and helped them
advise KJUS Management / Winona Capital of Advisors for the UCLA Anderson School achieve their dreams around girl scouting.
(founder and private equity-owned) in the of Management. From 2014-2018 she served Additionally, she has worked with food banks
sale of KJUS to Acushnet; and advising on the Board of Directors for YPO Los and other need-based organizations, in her
Alex Apparel (private equity-owned, Angeles where she chaired the membership capacity as a Girl Scout leader, servicing the
Atlantic Street Capital) in its sale to committee from 2017-2018. She is the 2nd underprivileged in her community.
Versa. Gandhi also sits on the Los Angeles Vice President on the Board of the
Women’s Entrepreneurship Day committee. Jonathan Club.
KIYOUN KIM GAYANE KIRAKOSYAN SIMONE LAGOMARSINO MAHA MADAIN
Executive Vice President & Regional Manager Director President & Chief Executive Officer Managing Director and Head of Marketing
for California FocalPoint Partners, LLC Luther Burbank Savings Union Bank
IDB Bank
G S M
ayane Kirakosyan has over 16 years of imone Lagomarsino serves as president aha Madain is managing director and
I
n mid-2000, Kiyoun Kim started at IDB investment banking experience advising and chief executive officer of Luther head of enterprise marketing for Union
as an account officer doing middle market companies on debt and equity capital Burbank Corporation and Luther Bank and PurePoint Financial. Her
and commercial real estate lending. She raises, mergers and acquisitions, and financial Burbank Savings. She leads the Executive career spans more than 20 years in financial
was promoted twice in the next four years. restructurings / bankruptcy. Throughout Committee and is a member of the services marketing, product development
In 2005, she was selected to oversee and her career, Kirakosyan has closed over $2.6 company’s board of directors. Prior to and management. As head of enterprise
manage the new second office for IDB’s billion in transactions across a wide variety joining in 2019, Lagomarsino served as marketing, Madain oversees marketing
California region and in 2007 was promoted of industries. Kirakosyan joined FocalPoint’s president and CEO of the Western Bankers strategies supporting business objectives and
to senior vice president and the head of the Los Angeles office in 2005 and is currently a Association and as a director of Pacific goals, brand development, digital marketing,
CA-Commercial Real Estate Group. Kim director in the firm’s Capital Markets Group. Premier Bancorp and from 2011 to 2017 social media, and advertising for two distinct
left IDB in 2012 but returned in late 2014, Previously, she worked at Merrill Lynch and she served as CEO of Heritage Oaks Bank brands: Union Bank which operates approx -
as EVP/regional manager. in Wedbush Morgan Securities’ consumer and as president and CEO of Heritage Oaks imately 340 branches, consisting primarily of
Kim is the first female EVP/regional products group. Bancorp. Previously, she held executive retail banking branches in California, Ore -
manager at IDB. Since 2014, she has led Kirakosyan has consistently focused positions with City National Bank, gon and Washington, as well as PurePoint
the three business units (Middle Market on helping and supporting women in the Hawthorne Savings, Kinecta Federal Credit Financial, a national digital bank that offers
Business Banking, Commercial Real finance industry, through career advice, Union, Ventura County National Bank and savings accounts and CDs with competitive
Estate, and Private Banking) in IDB’s two mentoring, and founding a women’s Warner Center Bank. rates and exceptional client service.
California full-service branches to increase networking group designed to build a In addition, Lagomarsino currently Throughout her career, Madain has suc -
loans, deposits, and investments, with network of strong, successful women. She serves on the boards of directors of the cessfully launched products, managed P&Ls
profitability nearly doubling in recent years. is also currently on the board of the Women Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco and spearheaded M&A client strategies. She
Kim continues to focus on bringing new of ACG Los Angeles. Kirakosyan graduated and of Hannon Armstrong Sustainable co-led the conceptualization, build-out and
and innovative products and customized summa cum laude from the Marshall School Infrastructure Capital, Inc. Lagomarsino launch of PurePoint Financial. Since launch -
solutions to the local marketplace. of Business at USC, where she majored in holds an MBA in Finance from Claremont ing in 2017, PurePoint has gathered more
business administration with dual emphasis Graduate University and a B.S. in Economics than $6 billion in deposits from more than
in finance and global management. from Claremont McKenna College. 40,000 households.
LOS ANGELES BUSINESS JOURNAL – CUSTOM CONTENT FEBRUARY 10, 2020
TOP WOMEN IN BANKING
RACHEL MAGNER NATASHA MATA KAREN MILES JANE NAVARRIA
Senior Vice President & Head of Commercial Central Los Angeles Region Bank President Managing Director Region Manager - Business Banking
Real Estate for California Wells Fargo & Company Houlihan Lokey Bank of America
IDB Bank
N K J
atasha Mata, a 28-year financial services aren Miles is a managing director and ane Navarria is the regional executive
R
achel Magner is senior vice president veteran, is Wells Fargo’s Central head of Houlihan Lokey’s Financial and overseeing Bank of America’s Business
and head of Commercial Real Estate Los Angeles Region bank president. Valuation Advisory (FVA) business for Banking team in Greater Los Angeles,
for California at IDB Bank, a private Mata manages seven districts and over Southern California. She co-chairs the firm’s comprised of banking professionals who
and commercial bank with full-service 70 branches in Los Angeles County. A Technical Standards Committee, which serve companies with annual revenues of
branches in Downtown Los Angeles California native, Mata began her career determines the appropriate methodologies $5 million to $50 million throughout the
and Beverly Hills. As head of CRE for in banking as a teller at Sanwa Bank in for dealing with valuation issues. She chairs Southland. Navarria manages a team of 60
California, Magner provides financial Northern California. While enrolled in the Director Development Panel for the FVA bankers covering the Metro Los Angeles,
solutions throughout the Golden State. Her nursing school, Mata sought a job with a practice that mentors senior professionals and South Bay/Long Beach, Valley Coastal, City
focus and expertise, though, is Southern flexible schedule. She always had a passion makes promotion recommendations. of Industry and Pasadena/San Gabriel Valley
California and specifically the greater Los for helping people. Miles is a leader in the firm’s Global regions. Under Navarria’s leadership, her
Angeles metropolitan market. She has more In 1996, a Wells Fargo recruiter had a Corporate Valuation and Advisory Services team manages a $9.9 billion book of business
than four decades of financial management pleasant interaction with Mata and soon practice, and is also a member of the firm’s in Los Angeles, making it an engine of
experience at relationship-focused banks. after, she assumed her first role at Wells Estate and Gift Tax Engagement and Review growth for the Los Angeles market.
Before joining IDB in 2004, Magner Fargo as Banking Center manager. Mata’s Committee. Miles has more than two decades Through her role, Navarria has created
served as vice president at Sumitomo drive and eagerness to learn propelled her of experience in valuation and financial an environment where local relationship
Bank. There, she also held various senior through many positions including: personal consulting, with emphasis on the valuation managers serve as client advocates by
management roles across operations, banker, assistant manager, service manager, of businesses, securities, and intangible assets. bringing the bank’s resources to growing
lifecycles, processes and teams. Prior to branch manager and district manager. Prior Her experience includes fairness opinions, companies through its dedicated client teams.
this, Rachel directed business operations to assuming her current leadership role, solvency opinions, purchase price allocations, She ensures that relationship managers work
at Crocker Bank, where she was selected as she served as region bank president for the goodwill impairment analyses, valuations closely with business owners to understand
the first female factoring account executive Four Rivers market in 2011, as well as the for transactions, financings, gift & estate tax their goals and objectives, generate ideas and
in the U.S. She Rachel holds a Bachelor of Northern New Mexico region in 2007. planning, ESOPs, dissolutions, and litigation. provide integrated solutions.
Science in Finance from the University of She has consulted on ownership transition
South Carolina. issues and liquidity alternatives.
MIMI PARK KRISTEN PARSONS JOCELYN PASTORE DIEDRA PORCHE
VP | Wealth Advisor at California Bank & Trust Regional Commercial Account Executive EVP / Regional President Senior Vice President for the Government and
Premier Wealth Management Greater Los Angeles, Corporate Banking Pacific Premier Bank Not-for-Profit Business Banking West Region
California Bank & Trust HSBC JPMorgan Chase
J
ocelyn Pastore currently serves as EVP/
M K D
imi Park and her family settled in risten Parsons has over 20 years of regional president for Pacific Premier iedra Porche is the senior vice president,
Century City after arriving in the banking experience and is the Southern Bank. Prior to joining Pacific Premier, and manager for the Government and
United States from South Korea when California Regional Commercial Pastore was a regional president for Grand- Not-for-Profit Business Banking division
she was seven. Realizing the importance of Executive for HSBC Bank, USA. She point Bank, managing banking operations covering the Western Region for JPMorgan
education, her hard work during her school relocated to the Los Angeles area in 2018 in the Los Angeles, San Fernando Valley, Chase. She oversees the line of business that
years was rewarded with her acceptance to to help build out the Corporate Banking and Vancouver, WA. Under her leadership handles the banking and finance needs of
UCLA. Her diligence continued during her practice for the region. She has been with during the merger between Grandpoint municipal and not-for-profit clients. As of
years as a full-time student, as she had to HSBC for nearly six years, having previously Bank and Pacific Premier, Pastore’s team January 1, 2020, she became chairwoman of
work to put herself through school. Later, been in Chicago responsible for growing the was able to offer an improved client experi- JPMorgan Chase’s Market Leadership Team
working for a finance company specializing central region’s Mid-Corporate practice. ence, with better C&I Lending options from for Los Angeles, overseeing the bank’s strate -
in wealth management, she found her Parsons has a diverse background with an the same dedicated bankers. gic decision-making and civic engagement in
true passion — helping clients build and emphasis on international banking. She also Before her work at Grandpoint, Pastore Southern California.
maintain a financial foundation to last spent extensive time working with growth was the administrative executive vice presi- Porche is currently an executive board
generations. stage technology and healthcare companies dent for branch operations, marketing, and member for the Western Bankers Associa -
She joined California Bank & Trust as a as well as financing the private equity business development at First Commerce tion in California representing JP Morgan
wealth advisor in 2017. She takes her role as and venture capital community. She is Bank, which later merged with Grandpoint. Chase. She is passionate about community
a trusted financial advisor extremely seriously, passionate about helping her colleagues and Prior to First Commerce, she was the senior involvement and serves as a board director
and she always takes the time to understand clients by building and leading collaborative vice president of Bank of Los Angeles, for EmpowHer, a local organization whose
her clients’ stories. If she does not know teams. She is committed to the success where she was the administrator in charge of mission is to enrich and develop young girls.
enough about her clients’ industry or business, of women in banking and finance and is business development and all bank branch- Additionally, she is the program director for
she does in-depth research and pushes herself establishing an internal women’s network es. Previously, she worked for World Trade the South Los Angeles Chapter of Jack and
to earn their respect as an expert. within HSBC. Bank in branch administration and business Jill Incorporated. Internally, she is the exec -
development until the bank merged with utive sponsor of JPMorgan’s BOLD (Black
Bank of Los Angeles. Organization for Leadership Development).
LOS ANGELES BUSINESS JOURNAL – CUSTOM CONTENT FEBRUARY 10, 2020
TOP WOMEN IN BANKING
BONNIE RUBIN KAREN SESSIONS LAVON M. SHORT NICOLE D. SWAIN
Executive Vice President - Regional Director Head of Bank of America Business Capital and Senior Vice President and Sales & Marketing Manager Executive Vice President / Chief Banking Officer
1st Century Bank Asset-Based Financing Citizens Business Bank First Choice Bank
Bank of America
B L N
onnie Rubin is an executive vice aVon Short has more than 40 years of icole Swain is the consummate
K
president, regional director of 1st aren Sessions is the national head of financial services experience. Short began community banking professional and
Century Bank. In this capacity, she Bank of America Business Capital and her career with Crocker National Bank truly embodies and lives the community
is responsible for leading the delivery of Asset-based Financing, part of the and later joined Wells Fargo Bank as a bank mantra of “relationship banking.”
depository and lending services in both Wholesale Credit division at Bank of Amer- personal banking officer. She was a Branch First Choice Bank has been recognized as
the bank’s Century City and San Fernando ica. Sessions has over 22 years of experience Manager for 15 years for five branches a “Super Premier Performance Bank” by
Valley regions. Since 2005, when Rubin in underwriting, originating and managing before moving to Citizens Business Bank. the Findley Reports, has received a five star
joined 1st Century Bank, she has assisted financial products for a wide array of com- During her time with the bank she has been rating by Bauer Financial and none of these
in the growth of the company through mercial banking clients and has served in honored into the President’s Club for three accolades would be possible if not for the
managing various teams of bankers and various roles within loan syndications, com- different years, was awarded the President’s herculean efforts of Swain or her resulting
through her own client relationships. mercial banking and asset based lending. Award, and has successfully led her teams to professional achievements. Her professional
Rubin is a trusted advisor to her clients Based in Los Angeles, Sessions leads a a Department of the Year award. technique is distinct. She quickly gets
and has proven expertise in serving the legal 360-person international team of asset-based In her current role of senior vice president to know, understand and appreciate the
and entertainment industries. In addition, lenders and is responsible for credit relation- and sales & marketing manager, Short business and banking imperatives of her
she can provide knowledge in financial ships within the following groups: Dealer oversees the Treasury Management Sales, clients and their purposes for seeking out a
analysis, private banking services, and Financial Services, Retail Finance Group, Bankcard Sales, Deposit Services, and community bank partner and then leverages
custom credit structures, including, but not Trade Receivables Securitization Finance Marketing departments. She serves on several her vast experience to properly structure
limited to, secured and unsecured revolving and Business Capital. In all, the group main- committees within the bank, including the financial products and services that are
lines, commercial real estate and consumer tains over $150 billion in managed credit Fair Lending, Management Risk Committee, specifically tailored to her clients.
financing. Before joining 1st Century commitments to over 1,000 key corporate and the Management Compliance Where most business development
Bank, Rubin was at City National Bank clients. In addition to the global clients Committee. In addition, she is chair of the officers would then pass this off to the
for 13 years as vice president and senior served by Bank of America Business Capital Citizens Experience Committee and the underwriter and documentation team and
relationship manager in the Private Client and the Asset-Based Financing group, Ses- Digital Customer Experience Committee. stop there, this is only Swain’s first step. She
Services Division and Technology Group. sions and her team serve many clients in the manages the process from beginning to end.
Greater Los Angeles area.
ANGELA UNDERWOOD-JACOBS PATTI A. VOLLMER
Senior Vice President Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Officer
California Bank & Trust American Business Bank
A P
ngela Underwood-Jacobs, the first atti Vollmer joined American Business
African American woman elected Bank in its first year of operation, and
to the city council in Lancaster, has her career has grown in tandem with the
established herself as a highly regarded, bank over the last two decades. Moving
engaged leader. As a regional manager and from her role as a relationship manager to
senior vice president at California Bank and regional vice president of the South Bay
Trust, Underwood-Jacobs manages business office for the bank, she saw an opportunity
banking throughout Ventura County, San to not only support the burgeoning middle
Bernardino County, and North Los Angeles market business community, but to also
County. Prior to this, she served eighteen support the robust non-profit sector in the
years as the consumer market executive at greater Los Angeles area. Vollmer was later
Bank of America. She began her career in asked to assist the founding chief credit
banking as a teller and navigated her way to officer as his deputy in 2016.
senior management. Upon her predecessor’s retirement,
As a community banker, Underwood- Vollmer took the helm as the chief credit
Jacobs works with people to help them live officer for the institution. In this lead role,
their American Dream — purchase their she has successfully overseen tremendous
first home, obtain a loan to launch a small growth of the loan portfolio of over
business, or by learning to save and invest for $300 million while maintaining minimal
retirement. As a City Councilmember, she substandard loans. Vollmer continues to
has experienced firsthand how government contribute daily to the growth of the bank
impacts its citizens on the ground level — and the health of its loan portfolio.
and how the state and federal government
impacts families and businesses.
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