ONTARIO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Linn Wiley, Vice Chairman and former President and CEO of Citizens Business Bank (1991-2006), was named Distinguished Banker of the Year by the California Bankers Association. The award was presented at the Annual California Bank Presidents Seminar in Santa Barbara, California.
Linn began his banking career in 1964 with First Western Bank and Trust in Los Angeles. First Western Bank was acquired by Lloyds BankCalifornia in 1974. There, he served in several capacities, including Senior Vice President and Director of Marketing, Regional Vice President for Northern California, and as Executive Vice President of the Banking Division.
He became President and CEO of American National Bank in 1983, where he successfully grew the bank from $400 million in assets to $1.0 billion in assets in 1990. At that time, the bank was sold to Wells Fargo Bank for 3.3 times tangible book value. He was appointed Executive Vice President and Division Manager of the Inland Valley Division for Wells Fargo Bank.
In 1991, Linn joined CVB Financial Corp and Citizens Business Bank as President and CEO. He led the bank from $512 million in assets to more than $6 billion in assets, and earnings from less that $7 million to more than $70 million during his 15 years in the position. During his 15-year tenure, CVB Financial Corp and Citizens Business Bank received several awards and recognition. These include:
-- "Super Premier Performing Bank" award by Findley Reports for 15
consecutive years
-- KBW Honor Roll Award from 2001-2005
-- Sandler O'Neill All Star Award
-- Fox-Pitt, Kelton Honor Roll Award
-- Named to "America's Finest Companies" investment directory. One of 318
out of 19,000 U.S. public companies
-- "Market Cap Champion Award" presented by the California Bankers
Association and Carpenter & Company for achieving the highest return to
original shareholders in the history of banking in California
In addition to his work, Linn served on several professional organizations.
-- Director of California Bankers Association 1995-2006, serving as Vice
President from 1995-1998
-- Chairman of California Bankers Association's Government Relations
Council 2000-2002
-- Member of the American Bankers Association Government Relations Council
2001-2006
-- Served on the Los Angeles Board of the San Francisco Federal Reserve
Bank 2000-2006
-- Member of Visa International Marketing Committee 1986-1989
Linn also received several awards for his involvement in the banking industry and the community.
-- Silver CEO Award - Financial World Magazine
-- Outstanding Marine in Business Award
-- Distinguished Executive Award - California State University, San
Bernardino
-- Good Scout of the Year Award - Boy Scouts of America
-- Entrepreneur of the Year - Ernst & Young
Linn Wiley has an extensive education background. He received an Associate of Arts degree from Santa Ana College, where he lettered in football and track. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from the University of California, Davis, where he lettered in football and track. Linn received his Master of Business Administration in Finance and Management from California State University at Long Beach. He completed the Graduate School of Credit and Financial Management at Harvard University's Graduate School of Business. He also completed the Graduate School of Sales Management and Marketing from Syracuse University.
Citizens Business Bank serves 40 cities through 46 business financial centers and five commercial banking centers in the Inland Empire, Orange and Los Angeles Counties and communities throughout the Central Valley of California. The Bank's trust and asset management division, CitizensTrust, has $2.5 billion in assets under administration.
Shares of CVB Financial Corp. common stock are listed on the NASDAQ under the ticker symbol of CVBF. For more information, please visit our website at www.cbbank.com.
Source: CVB Financial Corp.
Contact: CVB Financial Corp. Christopher D. Myers President and CEO 909-980-4030