WALNUT CREEK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mechanics Bank announced the appointment of three new senior executives in the Finance department.
C.J. Johnson is the new Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. He has been with Ford Financial Fund, which recently acquired a majority interest in the bank, and previously, was Senior Vice President and Director of Financial Planning and Analysis for Santa Barbara Bank & Trust. He has a strong background in private equity and investment banking, having previously worked at private equity firm Flexpoint Ford (not related to Ford Financial Fund). He started his career as an investment banking analyst with Credit Suisse, where he specialized in mergers and acquisitions and capital raising advisory assignments for financial institutions. Mr. Johnson will also serve on the Bank’s Executive Committee.
Nathan Duda joined Mechanics Bank as Senior Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer. He was previously Chief Accounting Officer and Executive Vice President, Finance at Banc of California, in Irvine, CA. Prior to that he held senior positions with Santa Barbara Bank & Trust, OneWest Bank in Pasadena and Affinity Bank, Ventura, CA. He started his career with KPMG LLP in Los Angeles, in the financial services practice.
Fernando Pelayo joined Mechanics Bank as Senior Vice President and Controller. Most recently, he served as Senior Vice President, and Controller at Banc of California, in Irvine, CA. Prior to that he held posts at Union Bank and Santa Barbara Bank & Trust, where he was the Controller when it was acquired by Union Bank in 2013. Mr. Pelayo started his career at Deloitte & Touche LLP, Los Angeles, as a senior auditor in the financial services practice.
About Mechanics Bank
Mechanics Bank, established in 1905, is an independent, full service community bank. With more than $3 billion in assets, it is the largest bank headquartered in the Bay Area’s East Bay region. Its 30 branch offices throughout Northern California provide a highly personalized relationship banking experience that includes consumer and business banking services, commercial lending, cash management services, and comprehensive trust and wealth management services. Member FDIC and Equal Housing Lender. For more information go to www.mechanicsbank.com.