California Bank of Commerce, a unique business bank serving the greater San Francisco Bay Area, announced the addition of six new banking professionals. While CBC’s primary strategy focuses on traditional commercial and industrial business banking, the Bank augments its core strategy with niche business units such as dental practice acquisition financing and asset-based lending.

“Several of the new hires are proven ABL lenders and relationship managers that are well known to us. We are very excited to have them join our team in San Jose,” said EVP James Christiansen, head of the CBC Business Credit unit.

Kevin Knox was named Senior Vice President of CBC Business Credit in San Jose, California. Knox will be responsible for developing new business and managing ongoing ABL client relationships. He was previously a Senior Vice President at Heritage Bank of Commerce where he led the asset based lending group. Prior to Heritage, Knox was a Vice President of Asset Based Lending for County Bank in San Jose.

Earlier this year, Melinda Ficek was announced as a Vice President of CBC Business Credit, leading the unit’s business development efforts in Southern California. Ficek has over 15 years of experience in loan origination and business development. She has had ABL positions with First Capital and Celtic Bank.

Tyler Smith was named ABL Business Development Officer, CBC Business Credit. Smith will be responsible for developing new ABL business leads in Northern California. She was previously the Chapter Executive for both the Turnaround Management Association and the Commercial Finance Association.

Kristina Soto was named Assistant Vice President, CBC Business Credit. She will be responsible for ABL loan origination processing, credit analysis, and relationship management. Soto was previously with Heritage Bank of Commerce and County Bank, where she was a credit analyst in asset based lending.

Roy Bigge was named Senior Vice President of California Bank of Commerce. Bigge will be responsible for commercial business development in the South Bay. He was previously Senior Director of Business Development with SOAProjects, a consulting and search firm, a Director at Alchemy Search Partners, and a Vice President in Wells Fargo Private Client Services. He has served on a number of South Bay Boards. Most recently he was the Chairman for the YMCA of the Santa Clara Valley, one of the largest not-for-profits in the Valley.

Coral McDermott was named AVP, Assistant Relationship Manager, of California Bank of Commerce. She will join the Bank’s team of underwriters and credit analysts who are critical to maintaining the Bank’s strong credit quality. McDermott was previously with Umpqua Bank where she was an AVP and Commercial Relationship Manager, and WestAmerica Bank where she was a real estate underwriter.

“We are very excited to have these outstanding banking professionals join our CBC Business Credit and California Bank of Commerce team. The range of skills and expertise they bring to the Bank will help us accelerate our growth and expand our client base throughout the Bay Area,” said Peterson.

California Bank of Commerce was designed and built to provide a unique banking experience for its clients. The Bank offers a broad range of commercial banking services to closely held businesses and professionals throughout the San Francisco Bay Area.