Contact:         
Corynne Randel/Judith Brower
Brower, Miller & Cole
(949) 509-6551
crandel@browermillercole.com

SUNWEST BANK WELCOMES INDUSTRY VETERAN JOY KELLY TO ITS GROWING TEAM

TUSTIN, Calif., (October 7, 2010) – Sunwest Bank, one of the strongest community banks in the Western Region of the United States, has named Joy Kelly a Senior Vice President and Relationship Manager.

“Joy is a very qualified banking industry veteran and will serve as an integral part of the Sunwest Bank team,” said J. Chris Walsh, President of Sunwest Bank. “We are confident that her more than 30 years of banking experience will translate seamlessly to her new role at Sunwest. Joy has been a top producer in deposits, loan growth and profitability for the better part of three decades and will provide the attentive and personalized service to our new and existing customers for which Sunwest Bank is known.”

Kelly previously served as Senior Vice President and Corporate Banking Officer of Partners Bank of California in Mission Viejo, Calif. where she managed a deposit and loan portfolio in excess of $50 million and continually built the bank’s customer and deposit base.

Kelly also has worked at multiple banks across the region since the start of her career in 1976, including Bank of America, Security Pacific National Bank and Pacific Mercantile Bank.

“Joy has extensive knowledge of Orange County’s residents and their needs,” added Walsh. “At Sunwest we are always looking for talented and experienced professionals like Joy that can bring their expertise to Sunwest and add to the success of the bank and its clients.”

With nearly 40 years in business, Sunwest Bank, one of the strongest banks in California, partners with entrepreneurs to personally take their businesses to a new level of success.  The bank’s solid balance sheet includes significant liquidity, resulting in an ability to lend in an environment where many banks are unable or unwilling to do so.  Sunwest Bank has branch offices in Tustin, Anaheim, Newport Beach, Laguna Hills, San Clemente, Encinitas California, in addition to three branches in Flagstaff and one in Cottonwood Arizona.  The bank specializes in meeting the credit and cash management needs of small and mid-size businesses.  Additional information can be found at www.sunwestbank.com.