SAN RAFAEL, Calif. - (Business Wire) Lawrence Cretan, a 25-year banking industry senior executive, has been named Executive Vice President/Chief Credit Officer by
Tamalpais Bank. The announcement was made today by Mark Garwood, Chairman, CEO/president of the fastest growing
Marin bank.
In his new position, Cretan will have primary responsibility of all aspects of the lending activities including asset quality, underwriting, funding and loan servicing.
“Adding Larry to our senior management staff is another step in expanding our management team with senior level banking executives,” said Garwood, “as we move into our next phase of growth and development.”
Cretan joins Tamalpais Bank, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Tamalpais Bancorp (NASDAQ:TAMB), from Greater Bay Bank, NA, where he was director of credit administration. Previously, he worked for Wells Fargo Bank, in various senior level loan and credit positions, throughout Northern California. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Stanford and both a Masters of Arts and MBA from UCLA.
"At a time of real challenges for many community banks, Tamalpais Bank stands out as one that has not only successfully grown, but done so with an excellent performance on the credit side. I am really pleased to have been invited to join the team that has accomplished all this and to help build the platform from which the Bank can move to its next level of performance," said Cretan.
In recent months, Tamalpais Bank has announced several senior level appointments and promotions within its senior management and has hired an experienced team of in-market business bankers.
“While growing steadily over the past several years,” Garwood said, “we have achieved several milestones, including becoming the largest SBA lender headquartered in Marin County and the fifth ranked SBA lender among Bay Area banks.
“Our strategic plan contains additional elements for growth, including a new branch in Novato and other areas outside of Marin County,” he said. ”Our growth has been built on a sound credit culture and a dedication to superior customer responsiveness. That growth has put us in the position to attract prominent bankers to our team who will take on leadership roles as we pursue additional opportunities in the personal banking and commercial banking sectors.”
Cretan has also served as an executive director for many non-profit organizations and held board positions with public television, educational organizations and local film festivals.
About Tamalpais Bancorp
Tamalpais Bancorp, through its wholly owned subsidiaries Tamalpais Bank and Tamalpais Wealth Advisors, offers business and personal banking through its seven Marin County full service branches, two Northern California loan production offices, and wealth advisory services to high net worth families and institutional clients. The Company had $649 million in assets and $283 million in assets under management as of June 30, 2008.
Tamalpais Bank
Mark Chapman, 415-526-6485
mchapman@tambank.com
