Bank of the West CEO to Receive 2013 B'nai B'rith International Distinguished Achievement Award

WASHINGTON, March 26, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- B'nai B'rith International has chosen Michael Shepherd, chairman and CEO of Bank of the West and of BancWest Corporation, to receive its 2013 Distinguished Achievement Award, which recognizes the accomplishments of key community and corporate leaders from around the world.

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The award ceremony will take place May 22, 2013, at The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco.

Shepherd oversees the $63 billion-asset Bank of the West, which operates 700 retail and commercial banking locations in 19 Western and Midwestern states. He is also active in the community—a quality B'nai B'rith International looks for in choosing award recipients.

Shepherd is a member of the FDIC Advisory Committee on Economic Inclusion, providing advice and recommendations to the FDIC on important initiatives focused on expanding access to banking services for underserved populations. He also serves on the Federal Reserve Board's Federal Advisory Council—a group of banking executives that consults with and advises the Board on all matters within their jurisdiction. Shepherd is a director of Operation HOPE, a nonprofit that brings together financial professionals to provide financial literacy, homeownership counseling and small business training in low income, urban communities. From 2008–2012, Shepherd also served as a director of the Presidio Trust, a distinctive federal agency created by Congress.  The Trust brings together funding and expertise from government, the private sector, non-profits and the philanthropic community to transform and preserve Presidio National Park—a former military base in San Francisco—into a public destination and enduring resource. B'nai B'rith recognizes and applauds this commitment to community. 

"When looking at potential recipients for this award, it's important that we find someone who embodies the values of B'nai B'rith—and Michael Shepherd does just that," B'nai B'rith International President Allan J. Jacobs said. "Michael sets the bar high and actively drives Bank of the West's commitment to meeting the needs of its customers and the communities in which it does business. Under Michael's leadership, Bank of the West galvanizes its community development loans and investments, charitable contributions and team member volunteer hours to improve the social and economic health of the neighborhoods it serves, especially those that are under-resourced."

"It is a great honor to receive the Distinguished Achievement Award from B'nai B'rith and I am delighted to accept it on behalf of all my colleagues at Bank of the West," said Shepherd. "Their spirit of optimism and service are hallmarks of our commitment to community—attributes we share with B'nai B'rith—and the core of the bank's relationship-banking approach."

Before joining Bank of the West, Shepherd—a graduate of Stanford University and the University of Michigan Law School—served as General Counsel of The Bank of New York Company, Inc. and of Shawmut National Corporation. He was a partner in the San Francisco law firm of Brobeck, Phleger & Harrison LLP and Special Counsel to Sullivan & Cromwell. Shepherd also served in government as Senior Deputy Comptroller of the Currency, Associate Counsel to the President of the United States and Deputy Assistant Attorney General.

"Michael Shepherd is an inspiring chief executive who leads by example in the worlds of business and civic responsibility," B'nai B'rith International Executive Vice President Daniel S. Mariaschin said. "We are thrilled to have the opportunity to pay tribute to him and to Bank of the West at the 2013 Distinguished Achievement Award Dinner, in conjunction with the commemoration of B'nai B'rith's 170th anniversary."

For more than four decades, B'nai B'rith has presented the Distinguished Achievement Award in recognition of the accomplishments of key community and corporate leaders around the world. These exceptional individuals and companies are honored for their community service, dedicated leadership and commitment to improving the lives of the individuals they serve.

Founded in 1874, $63 billion-asset Bank of the West (www.bankofthewest.com), member FDIC and equal housing lender, offers a wide range of personal, commercial, wealth management and international banking services. The bank operates more than 700 retail and commercial banking locations in 19 Western and Midwestern states. Bank of the West is a subsidiary of BNP Paribas, which has a presence in 80 countries with nearly 200,000 employees.

B'nai B'rith International, the Global Voice of the Jewish Community, is the most widely known Jewish humanitarian, human rights and advocacy organization.  B'nai B'rith works to aid the victims of disaster; improves the lives of senior citizens through housing and advocacy; promotes health initiatives and education; provides youth leadership training; serves community members in need; and fights intolerance around the world.  B'nai B'rith...since 1843. Visit www.bnaibrith.org.

SOURCE B’nai B’rith International