Blueprint

Expanding educational opportunities for students in under-resourced communities

commercial bank

Learning the Structure and Involvement of Commercial Bank of California and the Importance of Insurance

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Who did you meet with today?

On July 18th, my fellow interns and I met with a variety of different people, each with different roles and careers within Commercial Bank of California. We gained insightful economic and financial knowledge from: Kevin Gonzalez, Tammy Jung, Thomas E. McCullough, Christopher Colella, Richard Cheng, Annie Knyazyan, and Derek (Jongseok) Jeon. Later that day, we also met and had lunch with Greg Martin, PCSD’s insurance agent from High Ground Insurance. 

Where do they work? What does the company do?

Commercial Bank of California works closely with business and real-estate. It has many departments with focuses on bank lending, generating revenue or income, maintaining the stability of the bank, and assisting projects or clients to attain their goals while also ensuring the bank economically thrives and does well. 

What did you learn today? What were some highlights?

We learned that there are a lot of risks that can occur in banks that can lead to them going bankrupt if the wrong investment or loan is made. As a result, there are lots of rules and regulations in place to prevent that, such as having compliance officers evaluate customers to minimize any risks. 

Greg Martin further added to this idea with his career in assisting companies like PCSD to get trustworthy, quality insurance for any potential problem. 

Some of the highlights today were gaining new information and general life advice from the people we’ve met. For example, learning about the Community Reinvestment Act from Richard Cheng, a CRA manager at Commercial Bank of California, helped us see that banks do more than just lending or gaining profit. They help the public and meet community needs around the area through this program. It helped us learn that giving back is an important part of life and the community’s overall well-being. 

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

My fellow interns and I were able to see the structure of how banks work and why each person and their role is important to making a project or idea work, similarly to the development and process of creating schools. Every role in both business and real-estate development is complicated and intricate, however, the end product is always something to be proud of. We could see that it takes a lot of diligence, hard-work, and passion that’s needed in careers to create a well functioning society. 

Did you become more interested in the field after today?

After today, I did become more interested in the real-estate field because it is very diverse with what you could be involved in, whether that’s financially or not. It was a great experience getting to meet with new people and understanding a bit more about what other careers are out there.

Tom McCullough and Kevin Gonzalez with all of the PCSD interns
Annie Knyazyan talking about her career
Chris Colella presenting about his work and career

PCSD Interns: Unlocking the World of Real Estate and Commercial Lending: A Journey with City National Bank

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Real estate is an all-encompassing industry that impacts our daily lives in numerous ways. From the places we work and shop to the homes we live in, real estate plays a vital role in shaping our communities. Recently, our interns had the opportunity to meet with Dena Harte, Cindy Cindrich, and Simon Wu from City National Bank. This encounter opened our eyes to the intricacies of commercial lending and the fascinating world of real estate. In this blog post, we’ll take you on the same journey we experienced, exploring the valuable insights and lessons we gained from our meeting with these seasoned professionals.

Dena Harte: A Wealth of Experience in Commercial Banking

Our journey began with Dena Harte, an expert with an impressive 20-year tenure at City National Bank. She specializes in working with nonprofit organizations and for-profit corporations, managing deposits and endowments. Her vast experience and keen understanding of the commercial banking landscape made her an invaluable resource throughout our discussions.

Cindy Cindrich and Simon Wu: Unveiling the World of Real Estate

Cindy Cindrich, a veteran with 24 years of experience, and Simon Wu, work in City National Bank’s commercial lending site. Their expertise lies in the income property group, where they navigate the complexities of real estate lending. During our meeting, Cindy and Simon delivered an engaging and dynamic presentation on the diverse aspects of real estate.

Understanding Real Estate: A Comprehensive Overview

Cindy and Simon began our session by shedding light on the diverse facets of real estate. From retail spaces like malls and power centers to various office types, multi-family properties, industrial spaces, and special-use facilities, the scope of real estate is vast and varied. Each category has its own set of advantages and disadvantages, which they elaborated on, giving us a comprehensive understanding of the market.

The Role of Lenders: Unveiling the Lending Process

One of the most insightful aspects of our meeting was when Cindy and Simon walked us through the lending process from the perspective of City National Bank. They explained what lenders look for when considering loan applications. To demonstrate this, they role-played a scenario in which Simon presented a facility to the bank seeking a loan, while Cindy posed challenging questions to assess the feasibility of the loan.

Lessons Learned: The Complexity of Real Estate Investment

Through this interactive session, we came to realize that securing a loan for real estate investment is no simple task. The intricate web of factors to consider, including competition, local businesses, location, occupancy rates, and more, requires meticulous evaluation. It was evident that thoughtful planning and thorough research are essential before embarking on any real estate venture.

Fueled by Passion: A New Interest in Real Estate

As our meeting concluded, we found ourselves captivated by the world of real estate and commercial lending. The knowledge shared by Dena, Cindy, and Simon ignited a newfound interest in many of us to explore this field further. The interns even expressed their desire to pursue careers or investment opportunities in real estate, driven by the allure of its challenges and rewards.

Our meeting with Dena Harte, Cindy Cindrich, and Simon Wu from City National Bank was an enlightening experience that broadened our horizons and deepened our understanding of real estate and commercial lending. We learned that the world of real estate is multifaceted and that securing loans for such investments requires careful consideration of various factors. The passion and expertise of these professionals inspired us to explore this industry further, and we look forward to unlocking more doors of opportunity in the fascinating world of real estate.

PCSD Interns: Exploring the Inner Workings of Commercial Bank of California

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Have you ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes at a bank? Recently, our intern had the incredible opportunity to delve into the inner workings of one of our esteemed banking partners, Commercial Bank of California. With a comprehensive itinerary, they had the privilege of meeting team members from various departments, including client relations, operations, SBA, compliance, CRA, lending, credit, and even members of the C-suite. The visit not only provided valuable insights into the banking business but also offered a glimpse into the personal career journeys of these dedicated professionals. Join us as we explore the experiences of our intern and gain a deeper understanding of the multifaceted operations at Commercial Bank of California.

Client Relations, Operations, and SBA: Building Strong Relationships and Supporting Businesses

During the visit, our intern had the opportunity to meet team members from client relations and operations, who emphasized the bank’s commitment to top-notch customer service. These dedicated professionals employ a white glove treatment, ensuring that every client receives exceptional support and attention. Additionally, the Small Business Administration (SBA) team shared valuable insights into their role in supporting riskier ventures through guaranteed loans, ultimately empowering small businesses to thrive.

Compliance, CRA, and Credit: Navigating Regulations and Evaluating Loans

The visit also shed light on the crucial departments responsible for compliance, CRA (Community Reinvestment Act), and credit. Compliance officers play a vital role in ensuring that the bank adheres to all financial institution regulations, protecting both the bank and its customers. The CRA team actively invests in communities that the bank serves, organizes financial literacy sessions, and engages in volunteer activities. Furthermore, the Credit Division carefully evaluates loans, analyzing financial statements and appraisals, to support businesses seeking financing.

C-Suite and Personal Career Journeys: Insights from Visionary Leaders

We had the opportunity to meet several members of the C-suite, including Chris Colella, the Chief Credit Officer, and Mark Yoon, the Chief Financial Officer. Their leadership and expertise guide the bank’s operations, ensuring its profitability and success. Additionally, hearing the personal career journeys of these professionals emphasized the value of continuous learning and adaptability in the banking industry.

The intern’s visit to Commercial Bank of California provided a unique and enriching experience, offering a glimpse into the inner workings of the bank. From client relations to compliance, credit, and the C-suite, the dedicated professionals showcased the bank’s commitment to exceptional customer service, community reinvestment, risk management, and financial success. Their personal career journeys highlighted the diverse paths one can take within the banking industry. Commercial Bank of California stands as a testament to the vital role banks play in supporting businesses and individuals, while also nurturing the professional growth and development of their own employees.