Who did you meet with today?

Kevin Gonzalez (Senior Vice President Regional Manager DTLA)

Thomas E. McCullough (Executive Vice President Administration)

Where do they work? What does the company do?

Kevin Gonzalez and Thomas E. McCullough work at Commercial Bank of California which  is a private bank.

What did you learn today? What were some highlights?

Today, I discovered some fascinating insights about personal finance and banking. I learned that you can create your own credit card using your own funds, which won’t impact your credit history. This can serve as a protective measure for managing your finances. Additionally, I realized the importance of being strategic about maintaining a good credit score. I also gained valuable knowledge about banks. For instance, if a bank has $100 million in capital, it has the potential to expand its lending capacity to $1 billion and beyond. One of the highlights of my day was meeting Kevin; it was a great experience to engage in conversation with him. 

What insights did you gain into the field of real estate development? 

I gained some valuable insights about the real estate market today. It’s a highly competitive field, but it’s also one that offers significant opportunities for those willing to engage. One key takeaway is that you don’t necessarily have to put down 20% when purchasing a property. There are various strategies to lower that initial investment, such as exploring options for business loans or other financing methods. This flexibility can make entering the real estate market more accessible than I initially thought.

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

I found it particularly fascinating to learn about the banking industry and the strategies for attracting clients to financial institutions. One of the most intriguing insights was how interconnected such as real estate, business, and law are with one another. 

📸 Estrellita Segundo, Summer Intern