Mechanics Bank - Steven K. Buster - The Wall Street Transcript

Financial Services >> CEO Interviews >> March 5, 2012

Steven K. Buster currently serves as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Pacific Mercantile Bancorp, one of the largest commercial banks headquartered in Orange County, California, with approximately $1 billion in assets. Prior to his recent appointment at Pacific Mercantile Bank, Mr. Buster was President and CEO of Mechanics Bank beginning July 2004. Before becoming a community bank president, Mr. Buster was with U.S. Trust Company where he was Managing Director responsible for all Western United States banking activities. His 40-year career in banking includes five years in London with First Interstate Bank’s International and Capital Markets Group and five years in Singapore with London-based Standard Chartered Bank. As Group Manager of Standard Chartered Bank, Mr. Buster directed the activities of 700 bank officers and 3,000 total staff throughout the Asia Pacific region. He began his banking career with First Interstate Bank, where he served in numerous capacities. This included real estate and corporate banking divisional roles, and overseas as General Manager in London. Prior to the sale of the wholesale bank to Standard Chartered, Mr. Buster was the Chief Credit Officer of International and Capital Markets. A graduate of the University of Southern California, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts and Master of Business Administration degrees, Mr. Buster currently has been serving as a board member of the California Banker’s Association and California Independent Bankers — CIB. He also is a board member and serves on the executive committee of the Bay Area Council. Mr. Buster’s background includes service in law enforcement. He committed in 1999 to a two-year assignment as Chief Operating Officer for the District Attorney of Los Angeles County. While in Northern California, he joined the Alameda County Sheriff’s Air Squadron as a qualified pilot-in-command and disaster service worker, and became the Squadron Captain. He is also the Founder and Chairman of Bay Area Crime Stoppers. Profile

TWST: Please provide a history and overview of Mechanics Bank.

Mr. Buster: Mechanics Bank (MCHB) was founded in 1905. Our headquarters has really been in the Richmond, Calif., area this entire time.

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Mechanics Bank – Steven K. Buster

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