WALNUT CREEK, Calif., July 19, 2023–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Mechanics Bank (OTCEM:MCHB) has appointed Kelly Johnston as executive vice president and director of wealth management. The industry veteran will lead the Bank’s longtime Wealth Management unit, with a focus on providing additional offerings in trust and estate services, retirement planning, employee benefit plans, specialty asset management and private banking.
Johnston brings nearly three decades of experience in managing multigenerational family wealth, the administration of complex trusts and estates, and a host of family wealth services.
Before returning to Mechanics Bank, Johnston held leadership roles for nine years at First Republic Bank, where she most recently was president of First Republic Trust Company and executive vice president of Private Wealth Management. She began her career at Mechanics Bank in December 2008, overseeing numerous wealth management and trust services for approximately 14 years.
Johnston is a Certified Trust and Financial Advisor (CTFA) from the Institute of Certified Bankers and a Certified Wealth Strategist (CWS) from Cannon Financial Institute. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration from Saint Mary’s College and an MBA from Texas A&M University.
“Kelly’s accomplished career began at Mechanics Bank and it is wonderful to welcome her back,” said Tony Kallingal, Chief Banking Officer for Mechanics Bank. “She holds a tremendous amount of respect for our 118-year history, and values our time-tested practices and relentless commitment to protecting and growing our clients’ assets.”
Working closely with Johnston are private banking professionals Phil Donnici, managing director, and Lauren Goeppert, senior relationship manager.
Donnici has worked extensively with entrepreneurial and established clients in many industries including legal, financial services, technology and real estate for 14 years. Before joining Mechanics Bank, he was a managing director and district manager at First Republic Bank.
With 13 years of industry experience, Goeppert specializes in providing banking and lending guidance to legal professionals through various phases of their careers. Previously, she was a senior relationship manager at First Republic Bank.
About Mechanics Bank
Mechanics Bank is an independent, full-service bank headquartered in Walnut Creek, Calif., with approximately $18 billion in assets, a best-in-class deposit franchise and 115 branches. Founded in 1905 to help consumers, businesses and communities grow and prosper financially, it has become one of the largest banks based in California, and is among the strongest, safest and most resilient banks in the nation. Mechanics Bank is known for consistently providing a highly personalized relationship-banking experience and a wide range of products and resources in consumer and business banking, commercial lending, cash management, private banking, and comprehensive trust and wealth management services. For more information, please visit www.MechanicsBank.com. Mechanics Bank is a Member FDIC institution and Equal Housing Lender.
Image by: Businesswire
