Bram Goldsmith, who helped build City National Corp. into one of the largest American commercial banks, died Sunday. He was 93.

During his years as chairman and chief executive, Goldsmith grew the company’s assets more than five-fold, to $3.2 billion. He also expanded the bank’s position in Southern California and got City National listed on the New York Stock Exchange, while successfully guiding it through two recessions.

Goldsmith served as a director of the bank company for 50 years, chairman of City National Corp. for more than 40 years, and an active member of the company’s Strategy and Planning Committee through its last meeting just this month.

Goldsmith passed the torch on to his son, Russell Goldsmith, who currently serves as City National’s chairman and chief executive.

Prior to his years in banking, Bram Goldsmith was a successful real estate entrepreneur responsible for the construction of many Southern California buildings, including the City National Bank building at Pershing Square in downtown Los Angeles.

Goldsmith is survived by his wife Elaine, sons Russell and Bruce, and five grandchildren.