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Mission Bank is expanding into Fresno with a new business banking center expected to open in the coming months, according to a company news release.
The Fresno operation will be led by Regional President Lo B. Nestman, a 25-year banking industry veteran. He will be joined by Deep Gill, Manny Quintana and Sergio Salas, who collectively have 70 years of experience, including 45 years focused on the Greater Fresno area, according to the bank.
The expansion adds Fresno to Mission Bank’s existing Central Valley business banking centers in Visalia, Shafter and the Greater Bakersfield Area. The bank also has operations in San Luis Obispo, Ventura and Los Angeles counties.
What’s happening
Mission Bank said the Fresno expansion is part of its effort to provide locally based banking and decision-making for business owners, organizational leaders and professionals.
“In an industry where community banks are being acquired and locally based banks with centralized decision-making are disappearing, Mission is doubling down on the Central Valley,” Chief Banking Officer Bryan Easterly said in the release.
Nestman previously served as president and CEO of Premier Valley Bank after coming to California’s Central Valley in 2019, according to the release.
Gill, a relationship manager, transitioned to banking in 2012 after five years in the Navy and has worked in the Greater Fresno area for nearly 15 years.
Business Banker Quintana entered the banking industry in 2009 and has experience in bank operations, wealth management and business development. Business Banker Salas has worked in business banking since 2013, focusing on community outreach, treasury management and relationship development.
Why it matters
The move gives Mission Bank a direct presence in Fresno as the company continues to build its footprint in the Central Valley.
Mission Bank was founded in Bakersfield in 1998 and has grown to $2.1 billion in assets, according to the company. It has nine physical locations serving the greater areas of Bakersfield, Lancaster, San Luis Obispo County, Ventura, Visalia and Westlake Village, California. It has more than 160 employees
Mission Bancorp, its parent holding company, also operates Mission Bank 1031 Exchange.
Mission Bank President and CEO AJ Antongiovanni said the company’s business model emphasizes direct relationships between business owners and its relationship managers and business bankers, along with decisions made by local teams.
In August Mission Bank was named one of American Banker Magazine’s Top 20 Performing Publicly Traded Banks Under $2 Billion in Assets, marking the fourth consecutive year the distinction has been the achieved. The annual ranking identifies top performers based on key financial performance metrics, including three-year average return on average equity.
