American Business Bank

American Business Bank is pleased to announce the appointment of Wanda Jones as the new Senior Loan and Credit manager at their Inland Empire office. Jones joined ABB on May 28 coming from her recent position as Senior Vice President, Group Director, at Signature Bank/Flagstar Bank. With an impressive resume of accomplishments, she applies 25 years of commercial banking knowledge and expertise to a vital role in sales and credit extension. Chris Basirico, Regional Executive Vice President of the Inland Empire office, emphasizes the significance of her post. “We are very pleased to have Wanda join the ABB family. She has been a force in the Southern California banking sector for years and brings tremendous experience and acumen. Jones’s appointment is critical because the Inland Empire is one of the most bustling areas in the nation’s business community. Her insights will be invaluable in supporting our growth efforts and managing our prized portfolio of premier middle market businesses.” Jones embraces her new responsibilities. “I am excited to join the ABB team and truly value the company culture that embodies a commitment to relationship banking.” ABB welcomes Jones as a valuable addition to their Inland Empire operations.

On May 21, American Business Bank contributed to the financial literacy program at the Junior Achievement Finance Park. The venue offers students an immersive experience for planning their financial futures led by knowledgeable facilitators. ABB volunteers guided students from Compton High School when they visited simulated storefronts as adult “life personas,” with jobs, salaries, debts, savings, and credit scores. Students made a variety of everyday choices without exceeding their budget, such as buying a home, obtaining loans, and shopping for groceries. The Finance Park experience helps young people recognize their future financial choices will impact their quality of life. ABB is proud to have participated in Junior Achievement events since 2015 and reaffirms their commitment to support the community. “I have been attending Junior Achievement Finance Park for four years now,” says veteran participant Rosa Ocasio, AVP and Credit Administration Officer. “I enjoy volunteering there because I can share my knowledge and help students understand budgeting and saving for their future. I know today will make a difference later in their lives.” For Paul Castaneda, ABB’s financial and business data analyst, participating was a unique experience. “It was a pleasure to be part of the group. I have always wanted to volunteer for a cause like Junior Achievement that allows me to give back to our community.” Thank you to our volunteers for educating our future earners and community leaders about financial risks and rewards.  

American Business Bank is honored to announce ABB Executive Vice President and CFO Karen Schoenbaum was a principal commencement speaker at the USC Leventhal School of Accounting on May 10. Schoenbaum, class of 1985, received her BA in business, a certificate in computer science, and a Master’s in accounting from Leventhal. She has previously served as president of the USC Accounting Circle and is a recipient of the USC Leventhal Distinguished Service Award. Schoenbaum’s inspiring address encouraged graduates to work with people they admire. “They will raise you up and help you reach your potential for excellence.” She highlighted her ABB family by saying, “We believe in being servant leaders. We consult and collaborate with each other and most of all we care … and that is the true differentiator.” Throughout her speech, Schoenbaum counseled graduates to have integrity and “be a truth teller.” Her speech closed with a checklist for success: “Challenge yourself. Learn from others. Pursue integrity. Exhibit humanity. Be Passionate.” Before joining ABB in 2017, Schoenbaum served as Executive Vice President and CFO at other banks in the Los Angeles area and worked several years at Ernst and Young. Congratulations to Karen for motivating the class of 2024 with admirable values, and to all graduates for their achievements. https://lnkd.in/gVjQfxVE

American Business Bank proudly welcomes Senior Vice President, Enterprise Applications Director Norma Lopez to the team. She joined ABB on April 1, bringing 35 years of bank operations and systems experience to ABB after serving as Senior Vice President of special projects for Banc of California. Lopez’s impressive resume includes mergers and acquisitions, vendor management, and disaster recovery responsibilities. Her knowledge of core application support, system conversions, and optimization will be invaluable in streamlining ABB’s enterprise software architecture and development. ABB Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer Mark Christian says he appreciates the value of her expertise for the Bank’s operations. “Norma has long been a colleague of mine, and I’m thrilled she has joined us at American Business Bank. She has cultivated unique skills in system conversions and process consolidation that will serve us well as we enhance integration between systems and improve operational processes for efficiency. Norma takes every project she leads to the finish line.” “I am truly excited to join the American Business Bank team,” Lopez says. “I look forward to contributing to the Bank’s continued growth and success for the benefit of our customers, shareholders, and employees.”

“We continue to deliver superior service with the goal of being the premier relationship-banking franchise for small to mid-size businesses in Southern California.” commented Leon Blankstein, ABB’s CEO and Director. https://lnkd.in/gw74XfdA

American Business Bank proudly announces the arrival of David Babore as Senior Vice President. He is a valuable addition to the leadership team at the Long Beach Regional Office, which offers customized banking solutions to businesses and entrepreneurs. Babore comes to ABB after ten years at City National Bank’s Long Beach Commercial Office, and brings 33 years of diverse experience in consumer, private, and commercial banking. Babore’s expertise covers a range of financial services, including portfolio and investment management, credit analysis, mergers and acquisitions, and business valuations. As Senior Vice President, he is adept at acquiring and maintaining middle-market company banking relationships, providing his clients with the tailored lending, depository, treasury, and advisory services they require. “I am passionate about helping my clients achieve their financial goals and grow their businesses, and committed to delivering excellence, integrity, and innovation in my work.” David Wolf, Executive Vice President of Corporate Banking, welcomes Babore’s appointment. “We are excited to have David join American Business Bank. He has been a vital factor over the years in the Long Beach business community as he brings a wealth of experience to enhance our growing regional presence.” Babore concurs, “I am thrilled to be part of Southern California’s finest commercial banking team and look forward to contributing to American Business Bank’s continued growth and success.”

Post pandemic ripples continue to linger in the form of long-COVID, sporadic spikes in infection rates, and the emergence of new variants. The pandemic prompted a reassessment of values, including prioritizing quality of life and relationships. These enduring repercussions extend into the business realm. Business paradigms are undergoing a profound overhaul. Despite indications of a decline, above-target inflation remains stubbornly entrenched in the economy. Companies grapple with elevated operating costs, dwindling profit margins, and, in some instances, unprecedented wage hikes. The specter of potential disruptions in the supply chain underscores the imperative for contingency planning, revised sourcing approaches, and supplier diversification. For other companies, a level of remote work has become part of the equation. While the specifics vary across industries, just about a quarter of the workforce is projected to continue embracing some level of hybrid remote arrangements. Seismic changes such as these have necessitated adaptation within the contemporary business landscape. Amidst this backdrop, one certainty prevails: uncertainty itself. The abrupt and profound transformations ushered in by the pandemic have eradicated complacency, compelling businesses to adopt new strategies and adapt to the new norm. Recognizing the enduring impact of the 2020 pandemic, American Business Bank acknowledges the multifaceted ways in which it continues to affect privately held middle market companies in 2024. A firm financial footing is indispensable for weathering unforeseen challenges and navigating unpredictable business terrain. We encourage you to leverage your ABB Relationship Manager as a valuable resource and sounding board to navigate this evolving landscape effectively.

THE “FUTURE” OF BANKING FRAUD AND CYBERCRIME IS ALREADY HERE “TODAY!” The advancement of digital technology in the business sphere has yielded remarkable boosts in productivity, alongside introducing a new era of substantial risk. Cybercriminals, situated across the globe, are actively targeting various entities including governments, critical infrastructure, banks, and their clients' assets, data, and systems. Sophisticated schemes, such as checking and mobile banking fraud, are on the rise, prompting banking regulatory agencies to issue warnings about the imminent possibility of a major cyber incident capable of critically disrupting the global financial system. The need for sophisticated programming skills among fraudsters and hackers has diminished, as they can now readily purchase identities, counterfeit checks, and ransomware tools from darknet marketplaces. These criminal networks, some with state sponsorship, operate from virtually anywhere in the world. Furthermore, the proliferation of artificial intelligence is expected to exacerbate these threats as criminals harness its capabilities for their malicious activities. At American Business Bank, we prioritize addressing these threats. Educating our clients about fraud and cybercrime stands as one of our foremost precautions. By enhancing your understanding of these risks, we empower you to safeguard your assets effectively. Your Relationship Manager is available to discuss these matters with you today.

“We believe the key to our success in 2024 is the continued acquisition of new customers and we are well positioned to consistently do so with our relationship-based banking model providing outstanding service,” commented Leon Blankstein, ABB’s CEO and Director.  https://lnkd.in/g_zVDr-E  

At the end of 2023, American Business Bank looks forward to the New Year with an eye on the economy. While some analysts forecast a full-blown recession, others expect a soft landing for Southern California's resilient economy.   We know the financial strategies of middle-market businesses continue to be tested. Since the pandemic, labor shortages and retention problems have strained efficient operations. Rising wages, soaring material and energy costs, and uncertain interest rates have challenged optimal financial performance.   At ABB, we help entrepreneurial businesses meet these challenges across a broad array of industries. We continue to work closely with clients to develop strategies that reflect our region’s distinctive economic landscape. Our dedication to every client’s success allows us to create deep trust-based relationships and build long-term collaborations that fortify their company’s resilience.   Our team of Relationship Managers is proud to join you on your business’s journey. This is how ABB goes Above and Beyond for Business.