For further information contact:
Caroline Johnson
Communications Coordinator
caroline.johnson@icba.org
Industry expert:
David Haithcock CIB Executive Director
david.haithcock@icba.org
(949) 718-6050

For Release June 8, 2009
#060809

Community Bankers of California Merges with California Independent Bankers

Newport Beach, CA (June 8, 2009) — Long time banking group, the Community Bankers of California (CBC), has joined forces with the California Independent Bankers (CIB), one of the leading trade associations in the state and an affiliate of the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA), which represents nearly 5,000 community banks in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

“CIB/ICBA exclusively represent community banks and with its collective voices and addition of CBC, the future holds many new possibilities and opportunities for community banks in California,” said Lynda Nahra, CIB President and President/CEO of Community West Bank in Goleta. “The benchmark education, products and advocacy programs CIB/ICBA offer gives our banks the resources to stay competitive in today’s challenging environment.”

For the past 50 years CBC has been an active part of the California community banking landscape by providing networking and critical industry information for its community bank members. The same is true for CIB, which, with more than 150 community bank members, has been an active community banking advocate since the 1980s.

 “This new partnership will strengthen advocacy efforts and overall support for California’s community banks,” said Paul Rodeno, CBC President and President of Security Business Bank of San Diego. “This union not only creates a stronger voice within the respective California communities, but throughout the country.”

With careful consideration, this decision came to fruition when the CBC leadership led by CBC Executive Director Dave Haden, mutually agreed to look for ways to join forces with a leading trade association that best met the needs of its community bank membership and that could best accommodate its growth and future security. The CBC leadership have agreed and met formally with CIB/ICBA, working closely with ICBA President and CEO Cam Fine and CIB Executive Director David Haithcock.

The more than 90 bank members of CBC will be asked to become a part of CIB/ICBA’s membership, some of which already belong to CIB/ICBA.  CBC Executive Director David Haden will become a consultant to CIB and CBC Assistant Executive Director Kandy McFarlane will become a full-time employee of CIB.  The CBC and CIB boards will be combined to bring continuity and fresh perspectives to the new group as they continue to fight for community banking recognition.

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500 NEWPORT CENTER DRIVE, STE 960 • NEWPORT BEACH, CA • 92660
Phone: (949) 718-6050 • Fax: (949) 640-1041

CIB: The State’s Only Trade Association Exclusively Advocating for Community Banks