Rod Banks

Executive Vice President,

Commercial Banking Services

City National Bank, Beverly Hills

Appointed January 2008

Age: 53

Education: Bachelor’s degree, accounting, Georgia State University; Executive Management Program, Duke University; Stonier Graduate School of Banking, Rutgers University

Previous Position: Market president and executive vice president, Bank of America commercial and business banking, 24 years

Primary Current Duties: Manage commercial banking division

Goal: Helping small and midsized businesses succeed and grow.

What’s Wrong With Banking Now: There is a lack of confidence in our banking system right now, as many banks unlike City National struggle to find their place and maintain their identity. Everything’s been turned upside down.

What’s Right: The industry has been forced to return to a more common-sense approach to banking, with a focus on fundamentals. That means more realistic underwriting standards, good client service and a return to relationship banking all the standards we’ve always relied on here at City National.

I Decided to Be a Banker Because: With a name like mine I had no choice. Seriously, I had great mentors who guided me in that direction.

What Surprised Me About Banking: That there is a business for almost everything. We are such a nation of entrepreneurs.

Best Career Decision: Taking my finance and public accounting background and learning the art of sales within an industry (banking) that had never seriously studied professional sales management.

Worst Decision: Actually thinking I could retire at 50.

If I Were Not a Banker I Would Be: A rock musician on tour.

My Colleagues Don’t Know: I paid my way through college playing music in an Elvis look-alike band.

Best Advice: Don’t overreact things will ultimately change.

What I Do for Fun: Hang out with my family and travel.