WALNUT CREEK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mechanics Bank announced a major expansion of its Commercial Banking Group with the appointment of five vice president/new senior relationship managers.
Greg Smith, JD, joins the bank’s San Francisco office. Formerly at Luther Burbank Savings, as vice president, special assets, he previously handled structured loan special servicing at Wells Fargo’s San Francisco Commercial Mortgage unit. Mr. Smith is a Bay Area board member of California Receiver’s Forum and is a member of the Special Assets Management Association. An Ohio State graduate, he earned a JD at Ohio State College of Law. He is a resident of San Francisco.
Christopher L. Williams joins the Walnut Creek Commercial Banking Office from Menlo Capital Group, San Francisco, CA. He also has held senior positions at Opus Bank, US Bank, Comerica, and Bank of America/Merrill Lynch. A member of the San Francisco and Oakland Chambers of Commerce, he is a graduate of Morehouse College with a BA in Real Estate, Finance, and a Lafayette resident.
Jay Fischler joins Mechanics Bank’s Walnut Creek Office from JP Morgan Chase, where he was a relationship manager. Previously, he was with Wells Fargo, where he spent seven years in positions of increasing responsibilities. Mr. Fischler is a resident of Orinda.
David Ryan joins Mechanics Bank’s San Francisco Office from City National Bank. He previously held positions with Preferred Banker, Wachovia, Wells Fargo and First Republic. He also spent a stint with Citibank Global Securities in Dublin, Ireland. Mr. Ryan received his Bachelor’s Degree from IACT in Dublin, Ireland and is a Certified Treasury Professional (CTP). He holds Series 7 & 63 licenses (FINRA/NASD).
Gabe Brown joins the San Francisco Commercial Banking Office of Mechanics Bank. He previously was with the Real Estate Industries division of Bank of the West. Early in his banking career he worked for Schools Financial Credit Union. He has a Bachelor of Science in Finance, Risk Management and Insurance from California State University Sacramento. He holds a California Real Estate Broker’s license.
“This staff expansion will support our organic growth strategy in core Bay Area markets,” says Larry Fountain, Executive Vice President and Director of Commercial Lending. “We have plenty of liquidity combined with robust demand.”
Mechanics Bank, established in 1905, is an independent, full service community bank. For more information go to www.mechanicsbank.com.