Community bank deepens Silicon Valley presence as new team brings decades of experience and extensive local business relationships
SAN FRANCISCO, July 15, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Five Star Bancorp (Nasdaq: FSBC) ("Five Star" or the "Company"), a holding company that operates through its wholly owned banking subsidiary, Five Star Bank, today announced the addition of four experienced bankers with deep client relationships in the Palo Alto area.
Known as the birthplace of Silicon Valley, Palo Alto remains a global hub for technology, venture capital, and entrepreneurship, and maintains a dense concentration of the region's most active VC firms. Silicon Valley attracted $92 billion in venture capital last year, according to Joint Venture Silicon Valley's 2026 Silicon Valley Index. This density of capital and high-growth companies makes Palo Alto one of the most competitive banking markets, and one where Five Star Bank's high-tech, high-touch, relationship-driven approach to banking is a key differentiator.
Five Star Bank strategically recruited local banking professionals in Palo Alto who understand the unique needs of the market they serve and call home. Working at the center of the innovation and commercial business ecosystem, Five Star Bank intends to partner with entrepreneurs, venture and fund managers, real estate operators, and the attorneys and finance leaders who support their growth.
"We're not starting from scratch in Palo Alto. Our new team has spent years curating trusted relationships with VC firms and venture-backed companies," said DJ Kurtze, Five Star Bank's Executive Vice President / San Francisco Bay Area Region President. "Thanks to the team's local market knowledge, we believe we can deliver immediate value and bring the high-touch, concierge service that distinguishes Five Star Bank."
Key hires include:
Derrick Yee joins as Senior Vice President / Managing Director. Over his 20 years of experience in private banking and wealth management, Yee has served entrepreneurs, venture-backed startups, and VC firms. He most recently served as Senior Vice President / Group Director at Flagstar Private Bank, where he led strategic partnerships and initiatives supporting entrepreneurs, startups, and VC firms. Prior to this, he was a Managing Director at First Republic Bank.
Andrew Liou joins as Senior Vice President / Managing Director. He brings more than 15 years of private banking experience, along with a unique background as a former small business owner and entrepreneur. Prior to Five Star Bank, Liou served as Senior Vice President / Group Director at Flagstar Private Bank, where he helped build its private banking team focused on startup founders, venture-backed executives, and VC funds. Prior to this, he was a Managing Director with First Republic Bank.
Andrew Holtz joins Five Star Bank as Senior Vice President / Managing Director. He has more than 20 years of banking experience serving clients throughout the Bay Area. Holtz served as Senior Vice President / Group Director at Flagstar Private Bank, leading client acquisition and relationship management efforts for emerging funds and technology startups. Prior to this, he was a Senior Relationship Manager with First Republic Bank.
Jonathan Tombo joins Five Star Bank as Vice President / Senior Relationship Manager. He has more than 10 years of banking experience, specializing in customized banking, treasury, and cash management solutions for private equity, VC, and startup ecosystems. At Flagstar Private Bank, Tombo served as Relationship Manager, where he was part of the inaugural Palo Alto team responsible for building the bank's presence in Northern California. In this role, he supported the operational, treasury, and banking needs of private equity, VC, and startup clients. Prior to this, he was a Preferred Banker with First Republic Bank.