TASI Bank: The Value of Working with a Trusted Advisor

Over the past 20 years, there have been alarming trends in the banking industry. For small and medium-sized businesses, what has been occurring can be the difference between success and failure.

On the one hand, the number of community banks, defined as those with less than $10 billion in assets, has steadily declined. On the other, the size and influence of large, multi-national banks have reduced the availability of capital and resources for those businesses which are increasingly the heartbeat of local economies.

But even what constitutes a “community bank” is at odds with what those lifeblood businesses depend on.?

For instance, there are only 168 banks on the West Coast with assets of less than $1 billion, including a total of only 30 in the $250 million to $500 million niche.

“When a small business looks at the landscape and the availability of funding,” says Dave Joves, president of San Francisco-based TASI? Bank, “the outlook is pretty grim. Big banks are often not interested in working with businesses that do not fit their own business model, and successful community banks that can work with businesses with unique needs often simply don’t exist.”??

With assets over $450 million, TASI? Bank understands the dilemma and is well-equipped to work with customers who don’t fit the typical model. “Our approach is personal and direct,” says Joves, who joined TASI? Bank more than a decade ago. “We listen, ask questions, and look for ways to work with you. And we only provide services to businesses. We see our role as one of a trusted advisor.”

How this plays out in the real world can be seen by TASI? Bank’s recent “expansion” into Southern California, which it began undertaking in late 2021. Relocating vice president/relationship manager Jesus Leon-Guerrero to the Los Angeles, Orange County, and San Diego markets, TASI? Bank immediately developed business in all three areas as Leon-Guerrero was able to secure financing for several of his Northern California customers who were expanding into Southern California.

?“They trusted me and knew that we could be helpful,” he says. “While we don’t have an actual branch in the area, what we do offer is direct decision-making, a knowledgeable ear, and a full line of products.”

Not having a branch outside its San Francisco headquarters has never been an impediment for TASI? Bank.?

Over the four decades since opening its Montgomery street location, TASI? Bank has built a solid customer base in diverse industries, ranging from affordable housing to cannabis-related endeavors to hotels and motels and gas and fueling outlets.

Leon Guerrero’s first customers in Southern California were involved with retail and hotels. His news transactions include a modular home developer, a pre-school complex, and a business office complex near LAX.

“I’ve won their business because they see me as a trusted advisor working for a financial institution with a track record of finding ways to make things work as opposed to one looking for reasons not to accomplish something.”

While earning your business is TASI? Bank’s goal, its fundamental objective is to gain a customer’s trust. From that approach, both the bank and the business it supports are winners.