California Bank and Trust

California Bank & Trust was created in October 1998 as the result of the merger of three institutions acquired separately by Zions Bancorporation: Sumitomo Bank of California, San Diego-based Grossmont Bank and First Pacific National Bank.[6]

The institution continued to grow with the acquisition of Fresno, California-based Regency Bank in 1999.[7] In 2001, the company expanded its footprint with the addition of Eldorado Bancshares, which included Eldorado's two subsidiaries, Eldorado Bank and Antelope Valley Bank.[8]

More recent acquisitions include Alliance Bank and Vineyard Bank, which were acquired when the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) closed these institutions in 2009.[9][10] Through this transaction, California Bank & Trust acquired Alliance Bank's $951 million of deposits and $1.14 billion of assets, and up to $225 million of the sold bank's credits.[11]

California Bank and Trust building in Long Beach, California

California Bank & Trust operates through a network of more than 80 branches run through four administrative offices.[12] These include Irvine, Los Angeles, Oakland, and the bank's main headquarters in San Diego.[1]

In 2012, California Bank & Trust was rated as "outstanding" by the FDIC for its performance under the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA)[13] and, in 2011, was a "preferred SBA lender" as designated by the Small Business Administration.[14]

In 2012, California Bank & Trust employees raised over $95,000 for the United Way[15] and $101,000 in 2013.[16] In April 2012, CB&T announced a new business financing initiative focused on minority and women-owned businesses in California called TEAM (Tools, Education, Access and Mentoring). The initiative was launched in affiliation with Latina Style, Inc. and the Anna Maria Arias Foundation, a foundation working to ensure the growth, reach and impact of Latina entrepreneurs by providing programs, services and resources that help Latinas establish successful businesses.[17]

In December 2018, CB&T donated $25,000 to the United Way in support of communities and individuals impacted by the Camp Fire in Northern California, and the Woolsey and Hill Fires in Southern California.[18]

In September 2019, CB&T presented a check in the amount of $10,000 to the Boys and Girls Club of Greater San Diego in support of the non-profit's signature event – "An Evening of Changing Lives."[19]

In August 2021, More than CB&T 115 employees participated in their first-ever “Give Day” – an event focused on the bank’s associates giving back to their communities through charitable acts and volunteerism. CB&T associates contributed to in-person and hands-on volunteer activities, including food sorting, mural painting and homebuilding. Additionally, all CB&T locations participated in donation collections.[20]

In November 2021, The Old Globe in San Diego, CA announced that CB&T has given more than $1 million to the theatre since 1987 and has been named an Extraordinary Leader, recognized in the Globe's program book and with a paver on the Globe's Copley Plaza.[21]

The bank has been recognized by Greenwich Associates, a leading global financial services research and consulting firm, which has awarded California Bank & Trust 18 Excellence and Best Brand Awards for small business and middle market banking as a part of Zions Bancorporation.[22] In addition, California Bank & Trust was voted San Diego’s “Best Bank” for 11 straight years and “Best Commercial Bank” for 8 years by The San Diego Union-Tribune Reader's Poll.[22] The Orange County Register has also named California Bank & Trust as a winner of Best Bank in Orange County for 8 consecutive years and Best Home Loan Provider for the first year in the annual poll.[22]

• Official website