Opus Bank announced that Jim Wullschleger has joined Opus as Director, Business Banking Team Lead. Wullschleger, a 41-year banking veteran, is responsible for expanding Opus’ Business Banking client base, as well as for leading, managing, and growing Opus’ Business Banking division’s impact and presence in Los Angeles County.
Jim Haney, Executive Vice President, Head of Commercial Banking, stated, “We are very proud to have Jim join Opus to lead our Business Banking efforts across Los Angeles County. Jim is a highly regarded banker with a long history of results-driven success building and leading teams focused on delivering customized relationship banking and tailored financial solutions to small businesses.” Haney added, “We look forward to Jim’s contributions as Opus continues to further build its Business Banking client base in major metropolitan markets up and down the West Coast.”
Wullschleger stated, “Given Opus Bank’s size, we are large enough to deliver the financial solutions businesses require, while still small enough to provide high touch, high quality consultative service. This presents a unique opportunity to build customized banking relationships with closely held businesses, and I look forward to leading this effort across Los Angeles County and future expansion throughout Opus’ footprint.”
Stephen H. Gordon, Chief Executive Officer and President of Opus Bank, stated, “At Opus Bank, we understand the unique needs and challenges of entrepreneurs and small businesses aspiring to expand and grow. Our teams of sophisticated bankers strive to meet these needs by providing superior ideas and solutions supported by efficiently structured and easy-to-understand financial products and services, as well as greater access to deposit products and treasury/cash management services that enhance profitability, save time, and offer greater convenience.” Gordon concluded, “We anticipate that Jim’s years of experience and leadership will be invaluable to our clients as they execute their strategic vision.”
Wullschleger joins Opus most recently from Umpqua Bank, where from 2017 he served as Senior Vice President, Business Banking Manager, led the expansion of its Business Banking division into Southern California, and built and managed a team of business bankers to service the market. From 2014 to 2017, Wullschleger served as Senior Vice President, Business Banking Credit Manager at City National Bank, where he directed a team of credit officers in three states responsible for underwriting, structuring, and managing a $700 million portfolio comprised of operating lines, term loans, letters of credit, owner occupied and investment real estate credit, and asset-based lending products.
Wullschleger first joined City National in 2008 and initially served as Senior Vice President, Director of Business Banking focused on the development and implementation of the division’s sales strategy, managing a portfolio of $3 billion of deposits and $600 million of loans outstanding, and leading the reorganization of the division’s sales efforts by creating, hiring, and managing a new Business Banking sales team comprised of over thirty bankers and 200 banking officers. From 2001 to 2008, Wullschleger served as Senior Vice President, Commercial Banking Officer at First Bank, and subsequently as Senior Vice President, Manager of Business Banking Center, where he led a team of relationship officers and credit officers responsible for underwriting business credits, coordinating sales of all business banking products, and developing new business opportunities via direct marketing for all branches in California. From 2000 to 2001, Wullschleger served as Vice President, Business Banking Manager at Manufacturers Bank, where he led a team of credit officers and managed a portfolio of business credits for companies with revenues up to $20 million. From 1993 to 2000, Wullschleger served as Vice President, Business Banking Manager at Sanwa Bank, where he led a team of commercial bankers in the underwriting and management of the bank’s commercial loan portfolio, and hired and managed its SBA Department, and its team of thirty employees. From 1984 to 1993, Wullschleger served as Senior Vice President, Manager at Coast Bank. Wullschleger began his banking career in 1977 at Bank of America, where he ultimately served as Vice President, Commercial Banking Team Leader. Wullschleger holds a Bachelor’s degree in Finance from Long Beach State University and is a graduate of the Pacific Coast Banking School.