TORREY PINES BANK ANNOUNCES NEW HIRES, PROMOTIONS

-- Leading commercial bank from San Diego continues to grow with new hires  --

SAN DIEGO – Torrey Pines Bank, a leading commercial bank in California and an affiliate of Western Alliance Bancorporation, is announcing the promotion of several key executives in its San Diego and Los Angeles offices. The bank, which recently announced year over year loan growth of 24 percent, is announcing promotions and an increase in staffing to account for its continued responsible lending capacity for well-qualified borrowers.  The bank is announcing that in San Diego:  Peter Carr was promoted to senior vice president, senior real estate lending officer.  Kevin Damko was promoted to senior vice president, real estate lending officer.  Annalena Thompson rounds out the commercial real estate group’s senior leaders as senior vice president, senior real estate lending officer. All three report to Will McLennan, executive vice president and chief real estate officer. Todd Peterson was promoted to vice president, Bank Secrecy Act officer from assistant vice president. 

San Diego

Peter Carr was promoted to senior vice president, senior real estate officer from the position of vice president, senior real estate officer at Torrey Pines Bank. He draws on 20 years of banking, lending, underwriting and evaluation experience with an emphasis on loan origination and structuring, business development, financial and credit analysis, property evaluation and risk analysis, portfolio management and workout. He holds a Master of Business Administration, Finance degree from University of San Diego, a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California at Berkeley, and is a scholarship recipient of Burnham Foundation and Building Industry Association.  Mr. Carr also holds a California real estate broker’s license, a Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) designation (he was also the 2012 treasurer of the San Diego Chapter) and a REALTOR® designation from the San Diego County Association of REALTORS®.

Kevin Damko has been promoted to senior vice president, senior real estate officer from the position of vice president loan officer for Torrey Pines Bank. He brings over 10 years practical experience in the financial services industry and offers a primary focus on owner-occupied commercial real estate transactions.  He also draws on construction and investment property transaction expertise. Mr. Damko holds a Master of Science degree in accountancy and taxation from San Diego State University and a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration and accounting from San Diego State University.  He is a Certified Public Accountant (inactive) and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

Todd Peterson was promoted to vice president, Bank Secrecy Act officer from assistant vice president. Based in San Diego, Mr. Peterson continues to be responsible fordeveloping, implementing and administering all aspects of the Bank Secrecy Act/Anti-Money Laundering and OFAC Compliance Program for all of Torrey Pines Bank. He brings over 15 years of banking experience in operations, risk management and BSA.  Mr. Peterson holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in management and organizational communication from Point Loma Nazarene University.

"At Torrey Pines Bank, we are dedicated to providing a great customer experience and we strive to achieve that by deploying human and financial resources in all of the markets in which we serve. As such we make it a priority to recognize key talent in our organization. It is our philosophy to hire the best of the best and look toindividuals with demonstrable track records to help lead us in our continued flight to quality," said Gary Cady, CEO, Torrey Pines Bank.

In 2003, Torrey Pines Bank started with $20 million in initial capital and a single office with seven employees.  As of September 30, 2011, the bank has $1.7 billion in assets, 11 full service offices, one loan production office, and 215 full-time employees. 

With the support of its holding company, Western Alliance Bancorporation, Torrey Pines Bank can offer clients commercial real estate loans three to five times higher than other community banks. Not-for-profit customers can benefit from the bank’s program for 501 (c) 3 organizations including higher yields and unlimited FDIC insurance on deposit account types.

About Torrey Pines Bank

Torrey Pines Bank is a California-chartered commercial bank, providing commercial and financial services to small and middle market businesses, and personal banking services to proprietors, employees, executives and consumers desiring a personal banking relationship. Information about products and services offered by Torrey Pines Bank is available at www.torreypinesbank.com.