Bank of the West 2010 Annual Report Download - page 5

with assets of $2.7 trillion at year end 2010. The
financial crisis of 2008 and 2009 reinforced the
lesson that asset size alone does not guarantee
financial strength. BNP Paribas offers the outstanding
combination of not only being a global bank with a
presence in more than 80 countries,
but also being one of the strongest
banks in the world, rated AA by
Standard & Poor’s.
Our relationship approach to
banking was recognized once again
in 2010. J.D. Power and Associates
ranked Bank of the West “Highest
in Customer Satisfaction with Retail
Banking in California” – the third
year in a row that Bank of the West has received this
award in the region. Our business banking services were
recognized by the prestigious consulting firm Greenwich
Associates for excellence in both small business and
middle-market business banking. We are inspired by
these awards and appreciate the recognition of our
colleagues’ efforts. We are collectively committed to
delivering an excellent banking experience today and
to maintaining our differentiated customer service.
At Bank of the West, we believe that our people are a
competitive advantage of the organization and that an
exceptional team is essential to supporting clients in our
relationship-based business model. During the past year,
I was pleased to welcome a number of new members
to the Bank, most especially our President and Chief
Operating Officer Maura Markus. Maura joined us
with 22 years of domestic and international banking
experience as well as a true passion for the foundations of
exceptional service and relationship-based banking that
have made Bank of the West successful. We also were
proud to welcome four new directors,
Richard Daniel, Michael Drake,
Geraldine Knatz and Tim Taylor,
who bring impressive judgment
and experience, as well as
geographic diversity to guide
our strategic growth.
In 2010, we began to see welcome
signs of economic growth, which
are so important to the financial
well-being of our customers and communities. The
continued positive performance of our core businesses,
our practice of sound credit decisions and continued
investments in our infrastructure, combine to provide
us with a strong platform for delivering the very best
in products and services and contributing to the future
growth and success of all of our customers.
J. Michael Shepherd
Chairman and CEO
March 31, 2011
Bank of the West
financial results
strengthened
meaningfully
throughout 2010.
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