Bank of the West Further Builds Expertise of Investment Advisory & Management Team

SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 9, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Bank of the West today announced that Drew Brahos and Bruce Wetter have joined the bank's Investment Advisory & Management team in its Wealth Management Group.  Brahos will fill the role of market strategist and senior portfolio manager, and Wetter becomes a senior portfolio manager.

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Portfolio managers at Bank of the West are responsible for investment management for personal investment portfolios, a broad range of trust accounts, retirement assets, foundations and endowments.  In working with clients, portfolio managers are part of an overall team of wealth management professionals led by the bank's private client advisors who bring together an integrated set of experts and solutions to address the range of financial issues affluent and high net worth clients face.

Each portfolio manager also contributes research and insights to the Wealth Management Group's investment committee that shapes the team's overall portfolio allocation strategy.

In his additional role as market strategist for the Wealth Management Group's Investment Advisory & Management team, Brahos will provide intellectual leadership related to changes and trends in the economy and the impact on the team's portfolio allocation strategies. Brahos will provide analysis from which decisions can be made to enhance the investment portfolios within the Wealth Management Group.

"As accomplished investment professionals, Drew and Bruce bring a depth of expertise that will be a strong asset for our clients as we work with them to manage their portfolios," said Don Silva, head of Investment Advisory & Management for Bank of the West's Wealth Management Group. "We're pleased Drew and Bruce chose to join our expanding team and look forward to continuing our development as a key part of the growth of the bank's overall Wealth Management business."

Brahos, who will be based in Newport Beach, joins Bank of the West from Santa Barbara Bank & Trust as senior portfolio manager where he managed the Value Stock Fund and Growth Stock Fund Common Trust Funds.  Prior to this, Brahos served as senior economist with Bank of America focusing on international equity strategy, asset allocation, and fixed income strategy.  Brahos earned an MBA degree in finance from University of Notre Dame and a master's degree in teaching mathematics from Duke University.  He earned a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Butler University.

Wetter, who will be based in the bank's new Wealth Management Center flagship office at 555 Market Street in San Francisco, is an experienced portfolio manager and wealth management executive with a diverse background in analyzing investment objectives, portfolio construction, and managing a range of relationships. Prior to joining Bank of the West, Wetter was a portfolio manager with HighMark Capital Management and a relationship manager with Union Bank's Private Banking Group. Before that, Wetter worked as senior branch credit officer and relationship manager at Bank Hapoalim B.M. Wetter is a Certified Financial Planner® with a master's degree in finance from Golden Gate University and a bachelor's degree in economics from San Jose State University.

Bank of the West Wealth Management provides wealth planning consulting, investment management*, personal banking, and trust services. The group is part of BNP Paribas' global wealth management business of more than 6,000 professionals in 30 countries worldwide with nearly $10 billion** in assets under management in the United States and $322 billion (€245 billion) in assets under management globally as of December 31, 2011.

About Bank of the West:
Founded in 1874, $62.7 billion-asset Bank of the West (www.bankofthewest.com), member FDIC and equal housing lender, offers a full 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.

*Investments and variable annuities are offered through BancWest Investment Services, Inc., a registered broker/dealer, Member FINRA/SIPC.  Financial Advisors and Private Client Advisors are registered representatives of BancWest Investment Services, Inc.  Fixed annuities/insurance products are offered through BancWest Insurance Agency in California (License # 0C52321) and through BancWest Insurance Agency in Utah, and through BancWest Investment Services in AZ, CO, IA, ID, KS, MN, MO, ND, NE, NM, NV, OK, OR, SD, WA, WI, WY.

Bank of the West Wealth Management provides financial products and services through Bank of the West and its various affiliates and subsidiaries.  Neither BancWest Investment Services, Inc., nor Bank of the West offers tax, accounting, regulatory or legal advice to clients.

BancWest Investment Services, Inc., is a wholly owned subsidiary of Bank of the West. BancWest Corporation is the holding company for Bank of the West.  BancWest Corporation is a wholly owned subsidiary of BNP Paribas. 

Investment, Annuity, and Insurance products are:

NOT FDIC INSURED • NOT BANK GUARANTEED • MAY LOSE VALUE • NOT A DEPOSIT • NOT INSURED BY ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY

** Including assets under supervision at BancWest Investment Services

SOURCE Bank of the West