Nerland named CEO, California Oaks Bank

California Oaks State Bank recently announced that John A. Nerland has joined the bank as president and chief executive officer.

Nerland brings more than 20 years of community banking experience in California and a vision of building California Oaks State Bank into the premier business bank in Ventura County.

Nerland was previously president/CEO of Solano Bank of Vacaville, Calif., and chief credit officer of The Vintage Bank of Napa, Calif., both owned by Northbay Bancorp, prior to its acquisition by Umpqua Holding Corp.

Nerland also held executive positions with Civic Bank of Commerce and Westamerica Bank.

"John's success in taking a startup bank and building it into a leading financial institution, combined with his expertise in creating a dynamic growth culture while preserving the dedication to the bank's clients and surrounding communities, are essential to Cal Oaks' next stage of growth," said Cal Oaks board chair Robert E. Lewis.

Nerland has been an active member in the communities he has worked, including serving as chair on the Vacaville Chamber of Commerce board of directors and the Sutter Solano Medical Foundation Board of Trustees and as a board member of the Vacaville Rotary Club.

Nerland earned his bachelor's degree in finance from Arizona State University and his master's degree in marketing from San Francisco State University.

"Cal Oaks offers a unique and exciting opportunity to take a bank with a solid foundation, develop innovative products tailored to business banking customers and create a powerful community resource," Nerland said. "The bank's team is entrenched in the community and focused on serving our solid client base.

California Oaks State Bank, with total assets of $108 million, was founded in 1998 and is a locally owned community bank with locations in Thousand Oaks and Simi Valley. For information, visit www.caloaks.com.