Bank of the West Hires Industry Veteran to Lead Investment Solutions Offering

SAN FRANCISCO, March 28, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Bank of the West announced today that investment industry executive John Morris has joined as senior vice president to head its Wealth Management Group's investment products offering.

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The investment solutions team within the bank's Wealth Management Group is the cornerstone for its investment offering, delivering the market perspective of the group and providing a wide range of investment solutions for clients across the bank's fiduciary, registered investment advisory (RIA), and brokerage platforms.  The offering includes strategic and tactical asset allocation strategies and manager selection, all of which are tailored to the specific needs of the bank's affluent and high net worth clients. 

Additionally, the team has responsibility for further developing the bank's existing offering of investment solutions, including non-proprietary asset managers (fund managers and separate account managers) and alternative investment solutions.

"We firmly believe that our clients value our asset allocation strategies and our ability to deliver access to managers who provide consistently strong performance.  As a result, we're investing in further developing our capabilities, while using our team's knowledge to continue to evaluate investment options appropriate for each client's individual situation," said John Bahnken, head of Bank of the West's Wealth Management Group.  "The work that John is leading helps ensure access to knowledge and investment resources that are a key element of the integrated banking and investment solutions we provide to our clients."

Morris, who brings 25 years of investment industry experience, previously had been a senior executive at Charles Schwab & Co. focused on managed account products, support for RIA efforts, and growth of the third-party mutual fund platform.

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 (euro 245 billion) in assets under management globally as of December 31, 2011.

About Bank of the West:
Founded in 1874, $62.4 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, one of the world's largest and best rated banks*** with nearly 200,000 employees in 80 countries.

*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

***Rated AA- by Standard & Poor's as of October 14, 2011

SOURCE Bank of the West