Press Releases
Statement on the Federal Proposal to Mandate Credit Card Routing Proposed by U.S. Senators Durbin and Marshall
Sacramento, Calif., July 29, 2022: “The California Bankers Association (CBA) strongly opposes federal legislation introduced by U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Roger Marshall (R-Kansas) that would create a credit card routing mandate. This legislation would upend the current and thriving U.S. payments landscape by requiring every credit card to be reissued to include multiple networks on all credit cards.
Instead of increasing competition, consumers would lose the choices they currently have to merchants. This means they could be at risk with less secure and unreliable networks and lose the protections and benefits they currently rely on.
In addition, there is a significant cost to rewiring the credit card transactions process, not to mention reissuing more than 350 million credit cards currently in use. Financial institutions will need to make operational and network changes which will impact the calculations that financial institutions use to determine credit worthiness. A disruption in short-term lending credit can have a negative impact on consumers as they recover from the pandemic and navigate the economic uncertainties.” – Stephen G. Andrews, President & CEO
Message from the President & CEO
Just as we welcomed a new year with optimism and hope, 2022 has already thrown us a couple of curveballs. We see war abroad, rampant inflation at home, and a pandemic not yet ready to surrender. Although these challenges are complex, we have weathered harsh storms before. I expect the industry to continue innovating and adapting during these challenging times, ensuring we deliver vital financial services and support our communities.
Western Bankers Partners with BankerCollege to Provide High-Quality and Relevant Education and Training
The Western Bankers are excited to announce that we have partnered with BankerCollege to provide high-quality education, training, and certification content. This new partnership will more than double WB’s on-demand and live webinar offerings. As a member of the Western Bankers, you will have access to discounted rates for all of the BankerCollege offerings, including webinars, boot camps, and certifications on topics covering regulations, compliance, cannabis, accounting, lending, payments, strategy, retail and commercial banking, and operations, just to name a few.
WB Web Pass holders and their employees will have unlimited access, for the calendar year, to BankerCollege’s 400+ webinars, and significantly discounted pricing for workshops, certifications, and much more.
Western Bankers Association Announces Election of James Beckwith as Chairman of the Board of Directors
The Western Bankers Association (WBA) today announced James Beckwith, president, and chief executive officer of Five Star Bank and its holding company Five Star Bancorp (Nasdaq: FSBC), assumes the role of 2021-2022 chairman of the board of directors effective June 1, 2021.
California Banks & COVID Relief Efforts
Since the beginning of this pandemic, California’s banks have been outreaching and working proactively with customers to minimize the adverse financial effects of this crisis. Beyond the proactive efforts by individual banks and the work they have been doing to implement and deploy relief made available through state and federal programs, we continue to encourage customers experiencing hardships to reach out early and immediately to their financial institution given their unique personal financial situation.
ABA Banking Journal Podcast Features WBA Chair Dave Joves
Based in San Francisco and leading California’s market for the Bank of Guam, plus currently serving as chairman of the Western Bankers Association, Dave Joves shares a trans-Pacific view of banking on the latest episode of the ABA Banking Journal Podcast.
Click here to listen.
Dave Joves, Senior Vice President and California Regional Manager of Bank of Guam Elected New Chairman of the Western Bankers Association
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The Western Bankers Association (WBA) today announced that Dave Joves, senior vice president and California regional manager of Bank of Guam, will serve as the 2020-2021 chairman of the board of directors. Joves was officially elected at the WBA’s annual conference held in February.
“I am honored to serve the WBA and its members in this role,” Joves said. “It is a great privilege to represent and champion an industry that plays such a critical role in growing our economy and helping our communities thrive.”
California Banks Remind Small Businesses that Funds are Still Available under the Paycheck Protection Program
SACRAMENTO, Calif. - The California Bankers Association released the following statement regarding the distribution and availability of funds available through the second round of the Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program (PPP):
Calif. Banks Met With Frustration as PPP 2.0 Launches
Steve Andrews, president and CEO of the Western Bankers Association, issued the following statement regarding today’s re-opening of the Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program:
“California banks worked throughout the weekend to prepare for the re-opening of the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) platform where Paycheck Protection Program loan applications must be submitted. Banks were hoping that the glitches that challenged the system during the first round of funding would be resolved.
Californians Without a Bank Account Encouraged to Explore Options in Advance of Stimulus Check Disbursement
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Eligible Californians are expected to soon be receiving federal stimulus benefits, as part of the coronavirus economic relief package passed recently by Congress. Known as economic impact payments, it is estimated that this relief will bring $25 to $30 billion in funds to Californians who are struggling during these challenging times brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.
California Banks Important Participants in Paycheck Protection Program
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – On Friday, the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) launched, making available $350 billion in loans to help small businesses who are in need of economic relief during these challenging times.
California Banks Still Awaiting Guidance as Paycheck Protection Program Set to Launch
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Since the beginning of this national pandemic, California’s banks have been outreaching and working proactively with customers to minimize the adverse financial effects of the crisis caused by the COVID-19 virus.
California Banks Respond to Governor Newsom’s Announcement
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The California Bankers Association released the following statement today following Governor Newsom’s press conference.
“Since the beginning of this national pandemic, California’s banks have been outreaching and working proactively and constructively with customers to minimize the adverse financial effects of this crisis.
California Banks Encourage Outreach, Assisting Customers and Communities
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The California Bankers Association released the following statement today regarding California’s banks ongoing assistance and outreach efforts during the COVID-19 crisis.
The California Bankers Association Encourages Homeowners to Reach Out Regarding Mortgage Hardships
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The California Bankers Association (CBA) released the following statement regarding homeowners who might experience difficulty making mortgage payments in light of the COVID-19 national emergency:
The Western Bankers Association Announces Industry Response to Coronavirus
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The Western Bankers Association (WBA) released the following statement regarding the banking industry’s response to the coronavirus (COVID-19):
“Banks are actively monitoring the latest reports from the Center for Disease Control and taking numerous precautions to help ensure the safety of their customers and employees. Banks have well-developed business continuity plans and are prepared and ready to help their customers in this time of need.
WBA Works With San Diego District Attorney’s Office to Draw Attention to Elder Financial Abuse
DA Works with Banks, Credit Unions to Remind Employees They Are Mandated Reporters of Financial Elder Abuse
New Outreach Campaign Includes Postcards, Brochures and Video
Eric Ellingsen, President and Chief Operating Officer of California Bank & Trust, Elected New Chairman of the Western Bankers Association
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The Western Bankers Association (WBA) today announced that Eric Ellingsen, president and chief operating officer of California Bank & Trust (CB&T), will serve as the 2019-2020 chairman of the board of directors. Ellingsen was officially elected at the WBA’s annual conference held in March.
Steve Andrews Named the New President and CEO of the Western Bankers Association
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The Western Bankers Association (“WBA”) today announced that Stephen G. Andrews (Steve) has been selected to serve as the president and CEO of the association, succeeding Simone Lagomarsino.
Provident Bank Honored as Bank of the Year
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The Western Bankers Association (WBA), today announced that Provident Bank, headquartered in Riverside, Calif., was honored as the WBA’s Bank of the Year. Craig Blunden, chairman and CEO of the bank, accepted the award at the WBA’s annual conference held last week.
Western Bankers Association Announces its Endorsement of Fitech
Partnership expands WBA member benefits to include merchant payment processing
SACRAMENTO, CA, – The Western Bankers Association, one of the largest banking associations in the U.S., announces its appointment of Fort Worth-based Fitech as its newest endorsed partner.
After a rigorous application and review process, Fitech earned WBA’s coveted endorsed partner status, chosen for its best-in-class merchant services offering, tailored specifically for community banks.
The Western Bankers Association Announces Incident Response Program to Bolster Cybersecurity for Member Banks
SACRAMENTO, CA, – The Western Bankers Association (WBA) today announced the availability of a new member benefit, the Incident Response Program (IRP) designed to help member banks prepare for and mitigate against cyber incidents.
WBA’s Social Impact Awareness Campaign
Join Us!
In 2018, the WBA, in partnership with the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco, launched their social impact awareness campaign designed to share with public the tremendous impact our member banks have in the communities they serve. The focal point of the campaign is the creation of a series of regionally focused videos designed to highlight these efforts and showcase the positive impact.
The video series can be viewed on our YouTube page here.
Western Independent Bankers, a Division of Western Bankers Association, Announces 2018 Banker and Bank of the Year Recipients
SACRAMENTO —The Western Independent Bankers (WIB), a division of the Western Bankers Association, announced today the recipients of the 2018 Banker and Bank of the Year Awards to Tony Kallingal, regional market president of Scott Valley Bank, and Mohave State Bank, respectively. The announcement was made at the association’s Annual Conference in Kauai, HI, which hosted a record-breaking audience of bank presidents, senior officers, and directors.
Jim Lokey Honored as CBA’s Distinguished Banker of the Year
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The California Bankers Association, a division of the Western Bankers Association, today announced that Jim Lokey was honored as the CBA’s Distinguished Banker of the Year. Lokey was officially recognized at the WBA’s annual conference held last week.
Debbie Skinner Named New Chair of the Western Bankers Association
SACRAMENTO – The Western Bankers Association (WBA) today announced that Debbie Skinner, EVP and chief administrative officer of Farmers & Merchants Bank of Central California (F&M Bank), will serve as the 2018-2019 chair of the board of directors. Skinner, who has been a member of the board since 2015, was officially elected at the WBA’s annual conference held last week.
Simone Lagomarsino Named New President and CEO of the California Bankers Association
SACRAMENTO – The California Bankers Association (CBA) today announced that Simone Lagomarsino has been selected to serve as the new president and CEO of the association, succeeding Rod Brown, who is retiring after serving in that role for nearly 10 years. Prior to her new role with the CBA, Lagomarsino served as CEO of Heritage Oaks Bank, and president and CEO of Heritage Oaks Bancorp, headquartered in Paso Robles, Calif.