EverBank, headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, opened its first L.A. County financial center in Encino – shortly after the bank launched its SoCal commercial banking division in Irvine.

Led by Patrick Nygren, head of retail banking and an L.A. banking veteran, the Encino site will service local customers with a full suite of consumer and business banking products and work to establish EverBank’s footprint in the region.

Nygren said he and the team plan to bring “a fresh approach to banking to the region” that is rooted in innovation and local expertise.

Greg Seibly, EverBank’s chief executive, said the Encino financial center “underscores EverBank’s commitment to building relationships in the communities we serve.”

“As we expand across California, we’re focused on introducing EverBank’s performance-driven, client centric products and services to even more consumer and commercial clients, delivering the financial advantage everyone deserves from their bank,” Seibly said in a statement.

Once EverBank completes its acquisition of Sterling Bank & Trust – based in Michigan but with a significant California presence – in a deal expected to close in the first quarter of the new year, EverBank will also inherit Sterling’s L.A. County branch locations in Koreatown, Alhambra, Arcadia and Rowland Heights.

In the meantime, EverBank’s new West Coast commercial banking division is focused on lending opportunities, providing advisory services to middle-market businesses and liquidity services to a variety of prime California industries.    

In addition to the Encino financial center, the bank plans open another location in Roseville before the end of the year.