Summit Bank Hires Aaron Walker as Chief Credit Officer

Rhea-AI Summary

Summit Bank (OTC Pink: SBKO) announced the appointment of Aaron Walker as Chief Credit Officer. With nearly 30 years in banking, Walker's experience includes managing a $1.2 billion commercial real estate lending portfolio at Columbia Bank and overseeing C&I teams at Umpqua Bank. His expertise in loan approval and portfolio management is expected to enhance Summit's services. Walker holds a B.S. in Finance from the University of Oregon and an MBA from Colorado State University.

Positive

• Appointment of Aaron Walker is expected to strengthen leadership with nearly 30 years of banking experience.
• Walker's client-facing experience aligns with Summit Bank's culture and operational needs.
• Recognition as the Top SBA Community Bank Lender in Oregon and a top workplace enhances the bank's reputation.

Negative

• None.

EUGENE, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Summit Bank (OTC Pink: SBKO):

Summit Bank Hires Aaron Walker as Chief Credit Officer (Photo: Business Wire)

Craig Wanichek, President and Chief Executive Officer of Summit Bank, today announced the hiring of Aaron Walker as Chief Credit Officer. Walker has nearly 30 years of experience in banking with a balanced mix of senior management positions in Commercial Real Estate and Commercial and Industrial Lending. Most recently, Walker was the manager of Commercial Real Estate lending for Columbia Bank, responsible for growing and managing a $1.2 billion portfolio of income property loans. Before that, Walker managed C & I teams throughout Oregon for Umpqua Bank with total assets of approximately $1.5 billion. He also has held credit management positions involving loan approval, problem loan management, and overall portfolio monitoring including stress testing.

“Aaron’s wealth of knowledge regarding the markets in which we operate and the types of loans and structures with which he is familiar will be extremely beneficial to Summit. Toward that end, he is a Chief Credit Officer with significant client-facing experience, which is also important to our culture,” said Wanichek.

Walker graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Oregon in 1991 with a B.S. degree in Finance. He later received his MBA from Colorado State University, graduating Summa Cum Laude in 2003. In 2006, Walker graduated with honors from Pacific Coast Banking School.

Currently, Walker serves as the President of Cascade Capital Funding, a Certified Development Company authorized by the Small Business Administration to serve Oregon’s Small Business Community.

Summit Bank Group Inc., through its wholly-owned subsidiary Summit Bank, maintains offices in Eugene, Central Oregon, and downtown Portland, and specializes in providing high-level service to professionals and medium-sized businesses and their owners. Summit Bank Group Inc. is quoted on the NASDAQ Over-the-Counter Bulletin Board as SBKO. Summit was recognized in 2021 as the Top Small Business Administration (SBA) Community Bank Lender in the State of Oregon and also as a top 100 Best Places to Work in 2022, according to Oregon Business Magazine.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220405006174/en/

Craig Wanichek, President & Chief Executive Officer, 541-684-7500

Source: Summit Bank

FAQ

Who is the new Chief Credit Officer of Summit Bank (SBKO)?

Aaron Walker is the newly appointed Chief Credit Officer of Summit Bank.

What experience does Aaron Walker bring to Summit Bank (SBKO)?

Walker has nearly 30 years of banking experience, including management of a $1.2 billion portfolio at Columbia Bank.

What are the expectations for Aaron Walker's impact on Summit Bank (SBKO)?

Walker is expected to enhance leadership and improve loan management and client relations at Summit Bank.