Montecito Bank & Trust Opens New Mesa Branch

Source: Montecito Bank & Trust

Montecito Bank & Trust (MB&T) announced the opening of its newest full-service branch located at 2034 Cliff Drive, Santa Barbara, CA 93109.

“We have such deep roots in Santa Barbara that we already felt like the Mesa was a part of our MB&T family, and now it truly is. We recognized that Mesa businesses and residents have experienced significant changes in the banking options available to them over the past several years, and we felt it was important to bring community banking back to this unique and charming neighborhood. Even as we expand our digital banking options to provide world class online and mobile banking experiences, we are committed to our branch banking locations that are at the center of the highly personalized customer service that has become synonymous with MB&T,” said Janet Garufis, Montecito Bank & Trust Chairman and CEO.

The newly constructed branch features a fresh and innovative design that was inspired by the influences of the Mesa itself. The open design creates a bright and friendly environment, punctuated by a state of the art 162 square foot TV wall featuring local imagery, client stories and community happenings. MB&T President and COO, George Leis commissioned local artist Bobbi Bennett to create a custom piece that captures the Mesa community and lifestyle. The result, a vibrant 9 foot original Reynolds “Renny” Yater surfboard showcasing Ms. Bennett’s exclusive photography of Mesa Beach, adorns one wall and welcomes guests to the branch. In addition to the attentive branch team, clients have access by appointment to locally based commercial lending and business banking relationship managers and knowledgeable MB&T Advisors and mortgage specialists. When the community is able to resume in person gatherings, the 2,600 square foot branch includes a 180 square foot Community Room, which will be available for nonprofit/community use.

Leis shared, “We have been working on the construction of this branch for quite some time and continued to move the project forward as quickly and safely as we could during the COVID-19 pandemic. Jennifer Oakley, a lifelong Mesa resident and one of the best community bankers to ever serve the Mesa community, leads a team of 5 and is eager to provide full service relationship banking to Mesa businesses and residents. I am so thankful to Jennifer, her staff and all our MB&T team who were involved in getting this branch open and look forward to partnering and making a meaningful impact in this wonderful community.”

While guests are invited to begin using the branch for banking needs, a traditional grand opening event will not happen at this time, in effort to adhere to current social distancing guidelines. A limited number of people are allowed in the branch at one time and masks are required for all associates and clients standing in line and inside the branch itself.

Montecito Bank & Trust is the oldest and largest locally owned community bank in the Santa Barbara and Ventura counties. Founded in 1975, the bank celebrated its 45th anniversary on March 17, 2020 and operates 11 branch offices in Santa Barbara, Goleta, Solvang, Montecito, Carpinteria, Ventura, Camarillo and Westlake Village. Montecito Bank & Trust has a history of unwavering corporate philanthropy in the local communities it serves, annually donating $1.5 million dollars and volunteering over 7,500 hours to nonprofit organizations in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties. Awarded the 2017 Bank of the Year (Western Independent Bankers) from among more than 550 independent community banks headquartered in 13 western states the bank offers a variety of competitive deposit and lending solutions for businesses and consumers, including business loans and lines of credit; commercial real estate finance; SBA loans; mortgage loans, consumer loans; credit cards; merchant services; and online services, including mobile banking and cash management. Its Wealth Management Division provides comprehensive trust services and full investment management for all branch office markets. The Bank has earned 19 Best Bank awards in the last 7 years, in addition to numerous accolades for Best Mortgage and Best Financial Services Company in Santa Barbara, Best Investment Company in Santa Ynez Valley and the third Best Bank to Work For in the United States (American Banker Magazine).