×
  • Categories
  • Click For Articles

    Gene Wood Joins Inland Community Bank Board

    Gene Wood has joined the Inland Community Bank Board of  Directors.  Wood says, My goal with ICB is simple: it’s to help the bank grow successfully.  ICB is making loans.  We lend to our current clients and are actively seeking new clients in need of project financing.


    (Ontario, Calif.) Inland Community Bank (ICB), headquartered in Ontario, has brought aboard the local banking luminary Eugene “Gene” Wood as the newest member of the board of directors.
    “Gene knows his stuff,” says bank President and Chief Executive Officer James Cooper. “While banks are contracting and closing, ICB is expanding, and Gene will contribute to that expansion as few others can.”

    Born in San Bernardino and now a Beaumont resident, Wood has more than 45 years in banking. He brings a breadth and wealth of experience to ICB that few others nationwide could match.

    Wood worked with former Security Pacific Bank (acquired by Bank of America in 1992) for 23 years, becoming manager of the Commercial Loan, Construction Loan and SBA Division for San Bernardino, Inyo and Mono counties.

    As if that responsibility weren’t enough, in the late 1980s Wood took on the difficult, but successful, challenge of financially leading a large local supermarket chain in defeating a hostile takeover by another giant market chain. “It was a long, hard battle,” he recalls, “but one that was wonderfully rewarding.”

    Wanting a change of pace, Wood then created his own consulting business, E.H. Wood & Associates in the Inland Empire. He served as sole advisor to many economic development agencies and arranged high-end municipal financing for their projects, including ones for an Inland Empire water district, and handled tax and revenue anticipation notes, which allowed municipalities to borrow funds on those expected taxes and revenues.

    Additionally, Wood served as a consultant to several other large water districts, developers and municipalities, aiding them in formulating their various funding needs.

    It was in 2000, while on the board of directors of Valley Bank in Moreno Valley, that Wood was asked to take over that 40-year-old financially troubled institution as president.

    Within just two years Wood had transformed the bank into a well-capitalized business with no problem loans.  The success caught the attention of the 11th largest bank in the world, Spain’s BBVA of Madrid, who soon bought the bank. Wood stayed on for a year as chief operating officer, leading the bank’s expansion from seven branches to 45 additional branch offices throughout California.

    As Wood says, “I could have stayed on, but it was just time to do something different. A few
    years later, in 2005, I left to establish Inland Valley Bank, a division of South County Bank in Orange County, acting as the President.” It was while there that he led the creation of a Redlands division, Inland Valley Bank, to serve small to medium sized businesses and among many other functions, finance loans for equipment, commercial real estate and construction.

    A real highlight in Wood’s vast career happened in October of 1988. “I was running the National Orange Show and spent two weeks with President Ronald Reagan’s Secret Service advance detail and with the White House planning logistics and security for a speech by the president for 15,000 people at the Orange Show.

    President Reagan was at the Orange Show for four hours and we all had lunch together, then the Secret Service came to me to ask if I’d like to spend 15 minutes privately with the President.

    It was an amazing experience, just being together with him in conversation.” Years later, Wood met President Bill Clinton.

    Over the years Wood has served in many community capacities. “When I was chairman of the World Affairs Council, I brought in prominent international speakers.  I was able to line up such heavy hitters as the editorial staff and the chief editor of ‘Newsweek,’ American astronauts, and a China attaché.

    Wood served as President of the San Bernardino Chamber of Commerce and then President of the San Bernardino County Children’s Resources. 

    California Governor George Deukmejian appointed Wood as a member of the Mojave County Formation Commission.

    “Northern San Bernardino County cities, such as Victorville and Barstow, wanted to split off and form a county of their own. The people of San Bernardino County didn’t vote for the proposal, though, so the creation of Mojave County never happened. But, this was a very fascinating effort to be involved in.”

    Also, through consecutive reelections, Wood ultimately spent 18 years as a member of the San Bernardino Community College District, and today still serves as vice chairman of the Crafton Hills College Foundation and vice chairman of San Bernardino Valley College campus’ KVCR TV and Radio Foundation.

    Academically, after starting out as a pharmacy major, then architecture, Wood earned his Bachelor’s degree in Finance from the University of California San Diego.  He earned subsequent Master’s in business from Southern Methodist University.  Later he joined the faculty of the University of California Riverside teaching, naturally, Finance.

    “My life has been a wonderful experience,” said Wood. “In my career I’ve had the opportunity to do things I’d never have dreamed I could be able to do when I was a young man, and I’ve met people I never thought I could have met.”

    It was through a friend with ICB that he was urged to come out of his “retirement” to join the company in some capacity. Bank President and Chief Executive Officer James Cooper asked Wood to accept a coveted board of directors’ position as well as serve as Chairman of ICB’s Loan Committee.

    The Loan Committee has four board members and two staffers. “My job is to use my 45 years of lending experience and knowledge to evaluate ICB’s largest loan applications,” said Wood.

    It has been said that in today’s economy, banking is a daunting challenge, but at ICB things are a bit different.

    Cooper says, “While most banks today are spending their time solving problems, at ICB we don’t have those same issues. We put our time into helping clients grow their businesses. I always tell them, ‘If we can’t add to your bottom line, you don’t need us.’

    “ICB is making loans.  We lend to our current clients and are actively seeking new clients in need of project financing,” said Cooper.

    Cooper said that while most popular consumer-oriented banks may average deposits of $4,000 to $6,000, ICB’s average deposits range from $35,000 to $50,000.

    Wood says, “My goal with ICB is simple: it’s to help the bank grow successfully.  I want to see ICB expand to where we’re adding more select clients and more strategically located branches.” It’s something Wood has done before.

    At ICB each new client is assigned a team of personal bankers to learn and understand the client’s specific needs.  “We go the extra mile to ensure that ICB provides clients with the resources they need to meet their objectives.  Also clients always are sure to be able to speak with or meet with a personal banker that knows and understands their financial needs,” said Cooper.

    Businesses or professionals with gross annual revenue of $250,000 to $35 million are prime candidates to receive a team of personal bankers providing personal banking services. 

    “ICB is not the bank for everyone, but our clients quickly find that our relationship encourages their profitability, and for them we become the only bank,” said Cooper.

    Deposits at ICB are fully insured by the FDIC.  “We also assure each customer that any deposit made with ICB, regardless of size, is safe and sound,” said Cooper.

    To schedule an appointment or for more information about ICB contact James Walling, Vice President or Christopher D. Maggio, Senior Vice President at (909) 796-7100.

    About ICB
    Since 1990 ICB has served select professionals and businesses with teams of personal bankers delivering a full range of banking
    and financial services. ICB delivers one-on-one service to its clients through banking offices in Los Angeles, Duarte, Ontario, Loma Linda and Rialto. 

    ICB is a publicly traded company listed on the OTC Bulletin Board: ICBN. The website is www.ICBBank.com. ICB is headquartered in Ontario, California.
    Safe Harbor Statement
    ICB and its management may make certain statements that constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation reform Act of 1995. We make forward-looking statements when we use words such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “should,” “may,” “can,” “will,” “outlook,” “project,” or similar expressions. These statements are not historical facts, but instead represent ICB’s current expectations, plans or forecasts of its future results and revenues, asset growth, loan volume, interest margin, effective tax rate, noninterest expense, and other matters. These statements are not guarantees of future results or performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict and are often beyond ICB’s control. Actual outcomes and results may differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, any of these forward-looking statements.

    You should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statement and should consider all of the following uncertainties and risks, as well as those discussed in ICB’s Annual Report and in any of ICB’s subsequent SEC filings. Risks include but are not limited to negative economic conditions that adversely affect the general economy, housing prices, the job market, consumer confidence and spending habits; the level and volatility of the capital markets, interest rates, currency values and other market indices; changes in consumer, investor and counterparty confidence in, and the related impact on, financial markets and institutions; ICB’s credit ratings; estimates of fair value of certain ICB assets and liabilities; legislative and regulatory actions in the United States; the impact of litigation and regulatory investigations, including costs, expenses, settlements and judgments; various monetary and fiscal policies and regulations of the U.S.; changes in accounting standards, rules and interpretations (including SFAS 166 and 167) and the impact on ICB’s financial statements; increased globalization of the financial services industry and competition with other financial institutions; ICB’s ability to attract new employees and retain and motivate existing employees; mergers and acquisitions and their integration into ICB; ICB’s reputation; and decisions to downsize, sell or close units or otherwise change the business mix of ICB. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and ICB undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect the impact of circumstances or events that arise after the date the forward-looking statement was made.
    -end-

    Inland Community Bank Loma Linda Business of Year

     

    James Walling, branch manager of the Loma Linda branch of Inland Community Bank, accepted an award from Loma Linda Chamber of Commerce President Richard Schaefer and CEO Phil Carlisle honoring the bank as the Loma Linda Business of the Year. Photo by Chris Sloan

    (LOMA LINDA, Calif.) “The award and certificates of recognition we have received recently paid tribute to not just the Loma Linda Branch, but to our board, administrative team and the entire staff of the bank at all five branches,” said Inland Community Bank President and CEO James Cooper.

    The “award” Cooper refers to is the highly regarded 2009 “Business of the Year” honor presented by the Loma Linda Chamber of Commerce.

    Says Chamber CEO Phil Carlisle, “Our selection committee, made up of both board and regular chamber members, looks for local companies that do more than just rake in money from customers and sock it away. We want to honor those who contribute to the community, who search for ways to pay back.

    “ICB has weathered difficult financial times while being totally involved in the community as a business leader. Inland Community Bank strongly supports chamber activities and many numerous civic functions. The Loma Linda branch is just a stand-out.”

    The actual wording of the award makes this clear:

    Loma Linda Chamber of Commerce and the City of Loma Linda Recognizes Inland Community Bank as Business of the Year 2009 for outstanding client service, dedication to the success and growth of business and considerable contribution to community, the Chamber of Commerce and the City of Loma Linda.

    Additionally, State Senator Bob Dutton brought the bank a Certificate of Recognition:

    … presented to Inland Community Bank – the City of Loma Linda and the Loma Linda Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year 2009. Thank you for your contributions to the vitality of the City of Loma Linda and your continued support of the Loma Linda Chamber of Commerce. Congratulations and best wishes for continued success.

    California Legislative Assemblyman Bill Emmerson presented the Assembly’s certificate,

    Bestowed in recognition and celebration of your 2009 Business of the Year.

    And San Bernardino County Supervisor Neil Derry awarded his certificate, which read:

    Supervisor Neil Derry, of the County of San Bernardino, State of California, does hereby commend and recognize your invaluable service and contributions to the community and congratulates you on being recognized as the Business of the Year for 2009 by the Loma Linda Chamber of Commerce.

    Inland Community Bank, a wholly owned subsidiary of ICB Financial, and with its corporate offices in Ontario, opened its doors April 12, 1990 in Rialto. This was followed six years later with the establishment of offices in Loma Linda and Ontario. In 1998 ICB debuted its Los Angeles facility, followed by offices in Duarte.

    “Our concentration is personal banking to professionals and businesses.  We meet with potential clients to ensure that our level of service matches the client’s needs. It is critical that we ensure each client receives banking and financial services that meet their unique needs,” said Cooper.

    “And with the recognition of the City of Loma Linda, Senator Bob Dutton, Assemblyman Bill Emmerson and Supervisor Neil Derry we all feel our efforts have been greatly honored.”

    To schedule an appointment or for more information contact James Walling, Vice President and Branch Manager at (909) 796-7100, extension 221 at Inland Community Bank.

    About Inland Community Bank

    Since 1990 Inland Community Bank has served professionals and businesses with personal banking services including a full range of banking and financial products and services.  Inland Community Bank delivers one-on-one service to its clients with banking offices in Los Angeles, Duarte, Ontario, Loma Linda and Rialto. 

    Inland Community Bank is a publicly traded company listed on the OTC Bulletin Board: ICBN. The website is www.InlandCommunityBank.Com or www.icbbank.com.  The corporation is headquartered in Ontario, California.

    This press release may include information that could constitute forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provision of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any such forward-looking statements may involve risk and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from any future
    results encompassed within the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include those matters disclosed in the Company’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings. Past results of
    Inland Community Bank are not necessarily indicative of its future results. Inland Community Bank does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements.

    -end-