The new operation brings together a group of bankers with a combined 70 years of industry experience, including 45 years specifically within the Greater Fresno market. Regional President Lo B. Nestman, a 25-year industry veteran who previously led Premier Valley Bank, will head the office alongside Deep Gill, Manny Quintana, and Sergio Salas. Chief Banking Officer Bryan Easterly stated that the move aims to provide a high-touch, locally-based alternative for business owners at a time when centralized corporate banking models are increasingly dominant.
Mission Bank Targets Fresno for Regional Expansion
As community banks face widespread consolidation across California, Bakersfield-based Mission Bank is countering the trend by opening a new Business Banking Center in Fresno. The expansion marks a strategic push into the Central Valley, anchored by a veteran leadership team tasked with maintaining localized decision-making for business clients.
Founded in 1998, the bank currently manages $2.1 billion in assets and operates across several California counties, including San Luis Obispo, Ventura, and Los Angeles. According to President and CEO AJ Antongiovanni, the bank’s growth strategy relies on a relationship-driven model where local teams retain the authority to make key decisions. This expansion into Fresno follows a period of steady growth for the holding company, Mission Bancorp, which seeks to deepen its footprint in the Central Valley by leveraging the team's extensive ties to the local business community.
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