South Valley National Bank is changing its name – but rest
assured for longtime patrons wary of upped fees or new policies
– everything is else is staying the same.
South Valley National Bank is changing its name – but rest assured for longtime patrons wary of upped fees or new policies – everything is else is staying the same.
“It will make it more transparent and easier. There will be consistency up and down the footprint,” explained Debbie Whiteley, executive vice president and public affairs director for Santa Barbara Bank & Trust.
Crews will begin installing a new sign between Tuesday and Thursday at the bank’s location in Gilroy on 8000 Santa Teresa Blvd., she said.
In a move aimed at simplifying and streamlining their brand strategy, Pacific National Bancorp will consolidate all five of their bank franchises as “Santa Barbara Bank & Trust.”
Currently, Pacific Capital Bancorp – the umbrella holding company – has five banking franchises up and down the coast between Torrance and Morgan Hill: South Valley National Bank, Santa Barbara Bank & Trust, San Benito Bank, First Bank of San Luis Obispo and First National Bank of Central California.
Bancorp has decided it’s smarter to keep it simple, so they’re picking one name and scrapping the superfluous monikers.
“We’re looking to heighten awareness of our brand both up here and down there. People bank with us because we’re a community bank,” explained Whiteley.
Five different branch names is inefficient, she said.
“Customers don’t understand they can go to the same ATM’s. And instead of doing five advertisements, we’ll be doing just one.”
No products will change, Whiteley said. Just signs, the names on the buildings and the design on business cards.
Whiteley said Bancorp selected Santa Barbara Bank & Trust since this branch is the corporation’s oldest and most recognized franchise name.
