Opus Bank announced the further expansion of its Commercial Banking team in the Los Angeles metropolitan region with the hires of two senior bankers. Jennifer Foster, a 25-year banking veteran, and Nicole Nilos, a 13-year banking veteran, both joined Opus as Managing Director, Senior Client Manger, and are responsible for expanding Opus’ commercial and corporate client base in the San Fernando Valley and Santa Clarita Valley regions of Los Angeles County.

Jim Haney, Executive Vice President, Head of Commercial Banking, stated, “We are proud to have both Jennifer and Nicole join Opus’ Commercial Banking team to further expand our Commercial Banking client coverage in the San Fernando Valley and Santa Clarita Valley regions. Jennifer and Nicole are highly regarded bankers, each with a wealth of experience structuring and delivering asset-based, acquisition, SBA, and term financing; treasury management services; and owner occupied real estate lending solutions to entrepreneurs, business owners, and lower-middle and middle market companies in Los Angeles metropolitan area.” Mr. Haney added, “There is great need for Opus’ commercial banking products, services, and solutions in the San Fernando Valley and Santa Clarita Valley regions and we anticipate that Jennifer and Nicole will add to the productivity and success of our Commercial Banking division as we look to grow Opus’ client base and total footings.”

Foster joins Opus most recently from City National Bank, a subsidiary of Royal Bank of Canada, where from 2017 she served as Vice President, Senior Relationship Manager. While at City National Bank, Foster focused on developing client relationships with business and commercial clients and professional services firms in the San Fernando Valley and Santa Clarita Valley regions of Los Angeles County. Ms. Foster’s 25-year banking career includes serving as Vice President, Relationship Manager at MUFG Union Bank, where she was responsible for managing and growing a portfolio of middle market commercial clients in the Los Angeles metropolitan area; serving as Vice President, Senior Relationship Manager with Chase Bank, where she focused on owner-occupied real estate, working capital lines of credit, asset-based, acquisition, and SBA 504 and 7A financing, as well as depository and treasury management opportunities in the San Fernando Valley; serving as Vice President, Senior Relationship Manager with Comerica Bank, where she was responsible for managing and growing a portfolio of asset-based, senior term, commercial real estate, working capital, and SBA loans; and in commercial banking business development roles with Santa Barbara Bank & Trust and Wells Fargo Bank. Ms. Foster began her commercial banking career with Wells Fargo in 1997, where she served as a Commercial Loan Officer, and began her banking career with Great Western Savings Bank. Ms. Foster graduated Magna cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Pittsburg, located in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania.

Nilos joins Opus most recently from City National Bank, where from 2016 she served as Vice President, Senior Relationship Manager. While at City National Bank,  Nilos focused on developing new client relationships with lower middle market companies and originated working capital lines of credit, asset-based, commercial real estate, trade finance, and SBA senior debt transactions. From 2010 to 2014, Ms. Nilos served with US Bank, most recently as Vice President, Commercial Banking Relationship Manager and was responsible for managing and growing a portfolio of middle market commercial clients in the San Fernando Valley and Santa Clarita Valley regions. Ms. Nilos’ earlier roles at US Bank include serving as Vice President, Sales Branch Manager; Regional Business Banking Officer; and District Small Business Specialist. During her tenure with US Bank, Ms. Nilos ranked as one of the bank’s Top Performers for five consecutive years. Ms. Nilos began her banking career in 2005. Ms. Nilos is active in the community, serving as Career Pathways Committee Member and Chancellor’s Circle Member at the College of the Canyons, and Chair of the Education Committee of the Valley Industry Association, where she received the Valley Community Leadership Award and was nominated as Business Volunteer of the Year. Ms. Nilos holds a Bachelor of Arts in Marketing and Public Relations from Ashford University and is currently pursuing a Master of Business Administration degree from Pepperdine University, located in Malibu, California.