Strategic Philanthropy Expert Joins Bank of the West's Wealth Management Group

SAN FRANCISCO and NEW YORK, Aug. 20, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Bank of the West today announced that Julie Shafer has joined its Wealth Management Group as head of the Strategic Philanthropy and Purpose Investing offering. Shafer will report to Steve Prostano, the newly appointed head of Bank of the West's ultra high net worth business, and will focus on helping clients achieve their philanthropic goals.

"Our clients today seek to invest intelligently, with the knowledge that they can invest for the social good while seeking strong financial returns," said Steve Prostano, head of Bank of the West's ultra high net worth business. "Julie has extensive experience developing strategies for philanthropy and impact investing for ultra high net worth individuals and families. She will be a tremendous asset to our wealth clients who are interested in taking an innovative approach to investing and giving for a sustained and measurable change as a result of their efforts."

An industry veteran with more than 20 years of experience, Shafer has held consulting positions with philanthropists, foundations, not-for-profits and corporations both national and globally. Prior to joining Bank of the West, Shafer led a highly successful strategic philanthropy consulting firm, which specialized in efficient, thoughtful and innovative strategic planning for donors and grantees. Shafer previously served in several senior not-for-profit executive positions including director of development at the Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases University of California San Francisco (UCSF) and as executive director of the Silver Giving Foundation.

Shafer holds a masters of arts degree in family and child counseling from the University of San Francisco and a bachelor of arts from the University of California, Davis in international relations and art history.

About Bank of the West Wealth Management:
Bank of the West Wealth Management provides wealth planning, investment management*, personal banking and trust services. The group is part of BNP Paribas' global wealth management business of more than 6,300 professionals in 30 countries worldwide with over $15.5 billion** in assets under management in the United States and €305 billion ($345 billion) in assets under management globally as of June 2015.

About Bank of the West:
Bank of the West is a regional financial services company chartered in California and headquartered in San Francisco with $72.5 billion in assets as of June 30, 2015. Founded in 1874, Bank of the West provides a wide range of personal, commercial, wealth management and international banking services through more than 600 offices in 22 states and digital channels. Bank of the West is a subsidiary of BNP Paribas, which has a presence in 75 countries with 185,000 employees. 

Deposit and loan products offered by Bank of the West, Member FDIC. 
Member FDIC and Equal Housing Lender

Bank of the West Wealth Management offers products and services through Bank of the West and its various affiliates and subsidiaries. 

*Securities and variable annuities are offered through BancWest Investment Services, a registered broker/dealer, Member FINRA/SIPC. Financial Advisors are Registered Representatives of BancWest Investment Services. Fixed annuities/insurance products are offered through BancWest Insurance Agency in California, (License #0C52321), through BancWest Insurance Agency in Utah and through BancWest Investment Services, Inc. in AZ, CO, IA, ID, KS, MN, MO, ND, NE, NM, NV, OK, OR, SD, WA, WI, WY, HI, GUAM and CNMI. Bank of the West and its various affiliates and subsidiaries are not tax or legal advisors.

BancWest Investment Services is a wholly owned subsidiary of Bank of the West and a part of the Wealth Management Group. BancWest Corporation is the holding company for Bank of the West. BancWest Corporation is a wholly owned subsidiary of BNP Paribas.

Investment and Insurance products:

** Including assets under supervision at BancWest Investment Services

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SOURCE Bank of the West

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