Bank of the West Wealth Management Introduces 28 Private Client Advisors

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Expansion of Private Client Services Resources Continues

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Bank of the West Wealth Management announced today that it has staffed 28 of its new private client advisor (PCA) positions across the bank’s service area. The group continues to add wealth management professionals throughout its markets.

The creation of the PCA role is a central element of Bank of the West Wealth Management’s previously announced initiatives to further enhance the client experience through the creation of its new private client services model, dedicated to serving affluent and high net worth clients.

At the center of the new model, each PCA serves as a dedicated overall relationship manager, focusing on understanding each affluent and high net worth client’s financial goals. With this comprehensive picture in place, PCAs bring together an integrated set of solutions as well as wealth management experts to address the range of financial issues affluent and high net worth clients face.

“The creation of the private client services model and the PCA role underscores our commitment to serving the wealth management needs of our affluent and high net worth clients. Their work enhances even further the personalized, solutions-driven approach that our clients have come to expect from us,” said John Bahnken, head of Bank of the West Wealth Management and senior executive vice president. “We’re continuing to make significant investments in our wealth management business, and the addition of the 28 PCAs is an important step.”

The group has put in place the 28 PCAs in key markets including San Francisco Bay area; Los Angeles area; Denver; Orange County, Calif.; Albuquerque, N.M.; Omaha, Neb.; and Fargo, N.D.

Bank of the West Wealth Management provides wealth planning consulting, investment management*, personal banking, and trust services. The group is part of BNP Paribas’ global wealth management business of more than 6,000 professionals worldwide with nearly $10 billion** in assets under management in the United States and $365 billion (€257 billion) in assets under management globally as of December 31, 2010.

About Bank of the West:

Founded in 1874, $59 billion-asset Bank of the West (www.bankofthewest.com), member FDIC, offers a full range of personal, commercial, wealth management and international banking services. The bank operates more than 700 retail and commercial banking locations in 19 Western and Midwestern states. Bank of the West is a subsidiary of BNP Paribas, one of the world's largest and best rated banks*** with more than 200,000 employees in more than 80 countries.
***Rated AA- by Standard & Poor’s as of October 14, 2011

*Investments and variable annuities are offered through BancWest Investment Services, Inc., a registered broker/dealer, Member FINRA/SIPC. Financial Advisors and Private Client Advisors are registered representatives of BancWest Investment Services, Inc. Fixed annuities/insurance products are offered through BancWest Insurance Agency in California (License # 0C52321) and through BancWest Insurance Agency in Utah, and through BancWest Investment Services in AZ, CO, IA, ID, KS, MN, MO, ND, NE, NM, NV, OK, OR, SD, WA, WI, WY

Bank of the West Wealth Management provides financial products and services through Bank of the West and its various affiliates and subsidiaries. Neither BancWest Investment Services, Inc., nor Bank of the West offers tax, accounting, regulatory or legal advice to clients.

BancWest Investment Services, Inc., is a wholly owned subsidiary of Bank of the West. BancWest Corporation is the holding company for Bank of the West. BancWest Corporation is a wholly owned subsidiary of BNP Paribas.

Investment, Annuity, and Insurance products are:

NOT FDIC INSURED • NOT BANK GUARANTEED • MAY LOSE VALUE • NOT A DEPOSIT • NOT INSURED BY ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY

** Including assets under supervision at BancWest Investment Services