Who did you meet with today?

Today I met with Kevin Gonzalez, a bilingual senior vice president and regional manager, and Tom McCullough, an executive vice president.

Where do they work? What does the company do? 

They work at a bank called Commercial Bank of California. They are based in Southern California DTLA. The bank helps businesses by providing checking and savings accounts, loans, credit cards, financial education, and small business lending.

What did you learn today? What were some highlights? 

I learned about the importance of financial literacy, building good credit, and creating a budget. I learned that you can build credit by paying your bills on time, using a credit card responsibly, and putting utility bills in your name. We also talked about what can damage your credit, such as late payments, missed payments, bankruptcy, and irresponsible credit use. Another highlight was learning about small business loans, SBA programs, and how banks help businesses grow.

What are you looking forward to most during the internship? 

I am looking forward to learning more about how banks work behind the scenes, meeting professionals in different roles, and gaining skills that will help me manage my finances in the future.

What did you find the most interesting about the field after today? 

The most interesting part was learning how important credit is in everyday life. I didn’t realize that my credit score could affect things like renting an apartment, buying a car or house, getting a loan, and even some job opportunities. It was also interesting to learn how banks support small businesses and help them succeed.

Photos: Eric Chang, Summer Intern 2026