Bank of the West announced that Lee Merkle-Raymond has joined the Bank’s Commercial Banking Group as a Commercial Regional Manager based in San Francisco. In this capacity, Merkle-Raymond will lead the Bank’s growing focus on mid-cap technology companies and oversee teams based in San Francisco, San Jose, and the East Bay.
A corporate finance professional, Merkle-Raymond brings more than 20 years of experience financing public and private companies to her new role.
Before joining Bank of the West, Merkle-Raymond served Bank of America Merrill Lynch, where she held various U.S. and international leadership positions and established the bank’s mid-cap technology group during her more than 20-year tenure. Most recently, she was Public Sector Banking Business Strategies Executive.
“As a local bank with the global resources of our parent BNP Paribas, we are focused on expanding our relationships with mid-cap technology firms and Lee is the ideal person to lead our growing team,” said Jean-Marc Torre, Head of Bank of the West’s Commercial Banking Group.
“Bank of the West is well positioned to expand the financial solutions we deliver to companies and executives across the Bay Area, and to technology companies throughout the U.S. It’s an exciting time to help build both the local and global business,” commented Merkle-Raymond.
A resident of Palo Alto, Merkle-Raymond earned a B.A. degree in Asian Studies from Dartmouth College and underwent the Loan Officer Development Program, a 15-month MBA-level training program.
About Bank of the West
Founded in 1874 and headquartered in San Francisco, California, Bank of the West is a diversified financial services holding company. It is California’s 5th largest bank, offering a full range of personal and business products and services through its more than 700 branches in the Midwest and Western U.S. For more information, go to www.bankofthewest.com.
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