Banc of California announced it has hired Kris Gagnon as Chief Credit Officer. Gagnon joins Banc of California from CIT Bank, where he served as Chief Credit Officer, and brings considerable expertise as a top tier credit executive in commercial banking.

"The addition of Kris Gagnon to Banc of California is yet another example of the substantial recruiting opportunity we are seeing across our markets and demonstrates our continued ability to attract California's top banking talent to the Company," said Doug Bowers, President and Chief Executive Officer. "Kris has a deep set of commercial banking experiences centered in key credit roles for numerous institutions.  Additionally, he has expert knowledge of the Southern California market as well as diversified business sectors and verticals. Kris brings with him a vast set of experiences in building and refining commercial credit policies, systems and administration.  Kris will be a key leader in supporting the organic commercial banking efforts across our business units."

Gagnon will lead Banc of California's enterprise credit organization, including responsibility for underwriting, credit policy, credit administration and special assets.  

Most recently, Gagnon served as Chief Credit Officer for CIT Bank, formerly OneWest Bank. Previously, he served in various senior leadership roles at Bank of America for 30 years, including serving as Enterprise Credit Risk Executive, Chief Risk Officer of the Global Corporate and Commercial Bank, and as Chief Credit Officer for the Commercial Banking, ABL, Leasing and Global Treasury Services divisions. He holds a B.A. from California State University – Fullerton.