Bank of the West named Best Private Bank and Best Commercial Bank in the Western United States by World Finance Magazine

SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 16, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Bank of the West today announced that its Commercial Banking Group (CBG) and Wealth Management Group (WMG) were named 2014 Best Commercial Bank – US West, and Best Private Bank – US West, respectively by World Finance magazine. Both groups were nominated by World Finance magazine readers and selected as the 2014 winners by a panel of judges.

The World Finance Banking Awards Selection Panel uses a wide range of quantitative and qualitative criteria to inform its decisions. In recognizing Bank of the West, the judges cited the teams' exceptional client service, unique business models and strong financial performance, among other categories.

Commercial Banking

A member of BNP Paribas' One Bank for Corporates in Europe and beyond, CBG connects businesses to a global market of 500 million consumers while offering them end-to-end financial and banking resources and advice through a single team. The award for Best Commercial Bank in the West recognizes CBG's highly responsive and personalized service by bankers with close community ties and access to the global resources of BNPP.

"It is an honor to receive this World Finance award and be recognized for our focus on and commitment to our clients," said Jean Marc Torre, senior executive vice president and head of CBG. "We want to continue bringing the world to our clients and helping them usher in new phases of growth, whether they operate locally, nationally, or internationally."

Wealth Management

This is the second year in a row that WMG has won World Finance's Best Private Bank in the Western US award. The panel of judges noted that they were particularly impressed by the group's understanding of local clients and their specific needs. The panel also recognized the group's strong financial performance and substantial increase in client's assets under management as a key indicator that Bank of the West is a truly client- focused, award winning banking institution.

John Bahnken, senior executive vice president and head of WMG added, "We are extremely pleased to be recognized by World Finance for the second year in a row. Our strong client first model helps us drive the results on which this award is based."

Winners of the 2014 World Finance Awards will be announced publicly in the September/October issue of the magazine. The winners are based on criteria including:

• Bank performance (internal and external; financial statements)
• Financial ratios (profit and risk ratios)
• Variety and clarity of products and services
• Corporate Governance
• Cutting edge and innovative CRM systems and solutions
• Sales and growth within existing client structure and geographical spread
• Platforms and ease of account functionality
• Alternative financial products and parallel market interaction
• Competitive strategy moving forward

More about the awards and World Finance magazine can be found at www.worldfinance.com.

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, the world's 5^th largest wealth manager, with more than 6,300 professionals in 30 countries worldwide, $10 billion* in assets under management in the United States and $404 billion (€295 billion) in assets under management globally as of June, 2014.

About Bank of the West:

Bank of the West is a regional financial services company chartered in California and headquartered in San Francisco with $69 billion in assets. Founded in 1874, Bank of the West provides a wide range of personal, commercial, wealth management and international banking services through more than 650 offices in 21 states and the internet (bankofthewest.com). Bank of the West is a subsidiary of BNP Paribas, which has a presence in 75 countries with 180,000 employees. 

*Including assets under supervision at BancWest Investment Services

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

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:

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SOURCE Bank of the West

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