SAN DIEGO, Calif. (June 11, 2019) – California Bank & Trust (CB&T) president and chief operating officer Eric Ellingsen has been elected by the Western Bankers Association (WBA) to serve as the 2019-2020 chairman of its board of directors. The WBA is one of the nation’s largest state-banking trade associations and regional educational organizations.
“It is an honor to serve the WBA in this important volunteer leadership role,” Ellingsen said. “I am looking forward to my upcoming year as WBA chairman, and continuing to be a positive voice for our industry, promoting the critically important role all banks play in the economic growth and vitality of our communities.”
Ellingsen has been CB&T’s president and chief operating officer since January 2016. He oversees the business and branch banking, which comprises more than 80 branches throughout the state, and includes SBA lending, private banking, corporate services and the bank’s finance and planning functions. Prior to his current role, Ellingsen was the bank’s chief financial officer from 2012 to 2015 and previously served in various management roles including risk management, regulatory compliance, international banking and asset/liability management for CB&T.
Today, Ellingsen is actively involved in numerous organizations in San Diego, California and nationwide, including a variety of non-profit and professional groups. In addition to his service as a board member with the California Bankers Association, Ellingsen has been president of the North American Asset and Liability Management Association. He holds a BBA in finance from James Madison University and an MBA in finance from UCLA’s Anderson School of Management.
“The WBA is honored to have Eric Ellingsen serve as our chairman of the board this year,” said Steve Andrews, president and CEO of WBA. “Eric has been actively engaged with our association for many years and began his service on our board of directors in 2015. A strong advocate for our industry, Eric has frequently traveled to Washington, D.C. for our annual visits to urge our congressional and regulatory leaders to support needed regulatory relief and reform for our banking community.”
To learn more about California Bank & Trust, visit www.calbanktrust.com.
About California Bank & Trust: California Bank & Trust has been helping Californians and their businesses grow and prosper for more than 60 years. Today, it is among California’s leading banks with more than $11 billion in assets and nearly 100 branch offices located throughout the state. A division of Zions Bancorporation, N.A. (NASDAQ: ZION), CB&T has been voted “Best Bank” by the San Diego Union Tribune for eight consecutive years, and “Best Commercial Bank” for five years in a row. Readers of The Orange County Register have also voted CB&T as the county’s “Best Bank” for five consecutive years; and the group has consistently won the Greenwich Excellence Awards for achievement in Middle-Market and Small Business. CB&T provides a full array of financial solutions for businesses and individuals, including commercial banking, business banking, small business lending, treasury management, international banking and wealth management. Its experienced and professional bankers are backed by major resources yet maintain local decision-making authority and regional market and industry expertise. Each is committed to providing clients with valuable economic insights and connecting them with the beneficial business relationships they need in order to succeed. To learn more, visit www.calbanktrust.com. Connect with California Bank & Trust on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.