1974 - 1979
Under founding Board members Michael Towbes and Jerry Parent, the Bank of Montecito is approved in May 1974 with starting assets of $1.25 million. On March 17, 1975, the first branch opens in a trailer in Montecito. A few months later, the Bank’s first “Drive-Thru” opens and by December, over 4,500 accounts are open. The Bank acquired the Great Western Savings building at 1010 State Street and opened the Downtown Santa Barbara Branch in 1979.