Press release
California Bank & Trust Promotes Eric Ellingsen to CEO
Ellingsen Takes the Helm After More Than Two-Decades of Commitment David E. Blackford Transitions to Executive Chairman Role SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
About this update from Zions Bancorporation N.a.
[{"type":"text","content":"\nEllingsen Takes the Helm After More Than Two-Decades of Commitment \n\nDavid E. Blackford Transitions to Executive Chairman Role \n\n SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--\nCalifornia Bank & Trust (CB&T) announces the promotion of Eric Ellingsen, a banking industry leader and company veteran of over twenty years, from president and COO to CEO, effective today. Ellingsen will continue his role as president with new leadership responsibilities as CEO. He will continue to oversee the growth of the bank across the state, including direct oversight of its commercial banking division. David E. Blackford will transition from his role as prior CEO to executive chairman, with continuing responsibility for the bank’s commercial real estate portfolio.\n\nEllingsen began his impressive career trajectory at CB&T in a four-month temporary role as a junior accountant that led to a permanent position within the company. From there, this led to more senior roles handling risk management, regulatory compliance, international banking and asset/liability management. In 2012, he was promoted to CFO where he was responsible for the overall financial management of the company and then in 2016, rose to the position of President and COO. In this role, he oversaw business and branch banking, SBA lending, private banking, corporate services, and the bank’s finance and planning functions.\n\n“Eric has been an invaluable asset to CB&T for more than twenty years,” notes Blackford. “He has made important contributions not only at CB&T, but at the larger Zions Bancorporation level as well; and has been a big part of CB&T’s consistently strong financial performance throughout the years. As I begin my new path as executive chairman, I couldn’t imagine anyone else taking on the role of CEO. I look forward to witnessing Eric’s continued achievement in 2021 and beyond.”\n\nIn his new role as president and CEO, Ellingsen will manage the credit and lending process alongside Blackford and will oversee the commercial banking division as well as take a seat on the Zions Bancorporation executive committee. Since this transition has been part of long-standing succession plans, most other responsibilities of the role have already been shifted to Ellingsen in recent years to ensure continuity for clients and stakeholders.\n\n“I’m proud to be carrying on the incredible legacy David...