Sunflower Bank Expands in Southern California, Appoints New Regional President

Sunflower Bank has announced the hiring of four experienced commercial banking teams in Southern California, marking its largest expansion to date. The bank’s notable presence in this commercial banking market enables the continued growth of its relationship banking model for middle-market clients.

The Bank welcomed James Canepa as its Executive Vice President & Regional President in April 2024. Canepa is responsible for strategy, management, and growth of the bank’s commercial banking, private banking, and wealth management services in greater Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino, Orange, and San Diego Counties.

Sunflower Bank, boasting $7.8 billion in total assets, blends a relationship-driven, local decision-making model with large bank solutions. The bank has a strong presence throughout Texas, Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, and Arizona.

“We are very excited to bring on this experienced team of commercial bankers and for the opportunity they provide to build new client and business relationships in Southern California. James Canepa and his leadership team spent their careers building their relationships in this region and they bring a client service passion that we love. We look forward to working with this team to make an impact in this region for Sunflower Bank,” said Neal Arnold, CEO and President of Sunflower Bank.

Canepa brings over 25 years of banking experience involving commercial banking, private banking, and wealth management. He has held significant roles in developing and overseeing California-wide banking teams for regional banks. His team, now operational, comprises commercial relationship managers, credit and portfolio managers, and commercial support associates.

“My team and I are thrilled to join Sunflower Bank together and bring our great teamwork and market intelligence to this stellar organization. We look forward to complementing our commitment to providing best-in-class relationship management with the robust commercial and private banking services that Sunflower Bank has to offer. The combination is a perfect fit for all our Southern California communities and we’ve already seen a great response from our networks,” Canepa stated.

Southern California will see the establishment of four commercial offices under David Alterman, Cathie Wachter, Ernesto Arredondo Jr., Stephen Clark, Kenneth Hernandez, and Keith Budoff – all holding high-ranking positions within Sunflower Bank. These offices have ambitious future growth plans and aim to offer Sunflower Bank’s locally-driven decision-making credit model and speciality lines of business, including treasury management, asset-based lending, public finance, industry-specific financing, private banking and wealth management services, and mortgage capabilities, through its Guardian Mortgage division, in 43 states.

Source: Press Release