Financial: Best Bank

California Bank & Trust placed first in Best of Orange County voting for best bank.

MINDY SCHAUER, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

1. California Bank & Trust

Multiple locations; calbanktrust.com

Register readers have once again chosen California Bank & Trust as their favorite bank, the ninth time the financial institution claims the top spot.

“It’s an honor we take to heart,” said Jathan Segur, executive vice president, executive director of premier wealth management. “We thank our clients for sharing their perspective on what great banking looks like, and we’ll continue working to attract those who demand the very best.”

The award-winning, San Diego-based CB&T has been in Orange County since 1952 and currently has 10 local branches in Brea, Huntington Beach, Irvine, La Palma, Laguna Hills, Monarch Beach, Orange, San Juan Capistrano, San Clemente and Tustin. The locations offer a full range of services for individuals, families, small-tomedium businesses and people who need wealth management services. Per its website, the bank has more than $12 billion in loans and $16 billion in deposits.

And while California Bank & Trust is a division of Zions Bancorporation, N.A. and has resources of a big bank, decisions are made by local bankers who have strong relationships in their communities.

“CB&T puts a strong emphasis on relationship banking,” Segur said. “We pride ourselves on listening to our clients.”

Building lasting relationships and strengthening communities are the top values listed on the bank’s website, right above thriving as a diverse team and acting as owners. — Magda Liszewska

2. Chase Bank

Multiple locations; chase.com

Chase is back as one of the readers’ favorites. A fullservice bank, Chase offers Orange County residents a wide range of services at its 95 OC branches. Those include personal and business financial solutions from credit cards, checking and saving accounts to mortgages, auto financing, small business loans, investment advice and more.

On top of that, Chase gets involved in the areas it serves. Andy Carney, regional director, consumer and community banking in Los Angeles and Orange County, said Chase hires local community managers and is “focused on bringing financial literacy programs to local underserved communities.”

The firm is also working toward closing the racial wealth gap among the Black and Latino communities through its $30 billion Racial Equity Commitment. So far, the bank has deployed or committed more than $18 billion.

“We are very proud to be voted one of the best banks in Orange County,” Carney said. “It inspires us to double down.”

Wells Fargo’s history in Orange County dates back to 1968 when the first branch opened in Santa Ana. Today, customers can visit one of the county’s 90 branches.

Like any other big bank, Wells Fargo offers a variety of products and services, but it’s the people that make this bank stand out, said Keith Kobata, regional banking director, Orange County.

“We say, people don’t bank with banks, they bank with people,” he said.

Following up on that, the corporation and its employees are involved with a number of nonprofit organizations supporting housing affordability, small business, financial health and a low-carbon economy.

These days, Kobata is excited about the bank’s digital services and tools, which include a new consumer mobile platform, rolled out earlier this year, and giving customers banking control whenever and wherever they want. Soon, a new digital assistant, Fargo, will be coming to the mobile app to answer users’ questions and provide personalized insights.

3. Wells Fargo

Multiple locations, wellsfargo.com