Santa Clara, CA
-- June 14, 2001 -- Silicon Valley Bank (the "Bank"), a wholly
owned subsidiary of Silicon Valley Bancshares, announced the
establishment of the Private Client Services Group, naming
highly accomplished Bay Area private banking executive James C.
Wall as group manager. The Group's establishment is an
expansion of the Bank's existing efforts in the private banking
market, a practice that has been complimentary to its primary
commercial banking business.
Wall will be responsible for soliciting,
developing, generating and managing full-service relationships
with high-income and high-net worth clients. As Private Client
Services Group manager, Wall will report to Vice Chairman Harry
Kellogg.
"Silicon Valley Bank has done an excellent job
of creating a network of clients, professional service
providers and investors who provide the infrastructure for
successful business ventures," said Wall. "We will use that
same network and our strong brand as the springboard for
providing value-added services to help individuals continue
their successful wealth building."
The Bank's existing Private Banking Division,
currently offering specialized lending, mortgage placement and
deposit services, has been under the direction of Jean Blomberg
since its formation in 1993. Blomberg will remain division
manager of Private Banking under the direction of Wall.
"We will also now encourage individuals to do
business with us even if they don't currently have a corporate
affiliation." Wall continued, "That is an important change in
our strategy."
The Group will eventually expand the Bank's
private banking capabilities into asset management, trust and
estate services and financial advisory services. Those
solutions will either be provided through strategic alliances
or targeted acquisitions.
"We already have a successful operation on the
banking services side of private banking, with experienced and
knowledgeable people focused primarily on providing customized
credit solutions," said Kellogg. "Jim's knowledge of the
Northern California private client market and more than 30
years of experience will ensure we will successfully expand
into additional services in order to become the 'trusted
advisor' to our clients."
Most recently, Wall served as president and
chief executive officer of Boston Private Bank and Trust
Company of California. With Boston Private, he was responsible
for developing a full-service commercial bank, serving
primarily the wealth market in Silicon Valley. Previously, Wall
was president and CEO of the Bank of Los Altos from 1995 to
2000, where he managed a four-fold increase in assets and
significant profitability growth.
Wall has built his extensive private banking
experience through various positions, including vice president
and manager of Private Banking for the headquarters office of
Wells Fargo Bank; vice president and manager of Private Banking
for the flagship office of Seafirst Bank in Seattle; and as co-
founder, president and chief operating officer of Palo Alto,
California- based University National Bank & Trust Company,
which specialized in private banking.
Wall earned his bachelor's degree from Stanford
University and a master's degree from California State
University, San Diego.
Silicon Valley Bank serves emerging growth and
middle market companies in targeted niches, focusing on
technology and life sciences, while also addressing other
specific industries in which it can provide a higher level of
service and better manage credit through specialization and
focus.
The Bank operates throughout the Silicon Valley: Santa
Clara, Palo Alto and Sand Hill, the center of the venture
capital community in California. Other regional offices within
California include: Irvine, Los Angeles, Napa Valley, San
Diego, San Francisco, Santa Barbara, and Sonoma. Office
locations outside of California include: Phoenix, Arizona;
Boulder, Colorado; West Palm Beach, Florida; Atlanta, Georgia;
Chicago, Illinois; Boston, Massachusetts; Minneapolis,
Minnesota; Durham, North Carolina; Portland, Oregon;
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Austin, Texas; Dallas, Texas;
Northern Virginia; and Seattle, Washington.
SVB Contact:
Andrea McGhee, (408) 654-3078, amcghee@svbank.com.