Bank of the West

Women entrepreneurs, are you putting your business goals above your personal finances? It's a common story. Check out these 3 savvy tips for prioritizing your personal wealth in 2023.







http://ow.ly/aMpL50M8JEo

When you develop a core wellness strategy for the DNA of your business, you'll be amazed at the productivity, efficiency, and loyalty that results. Here's some great advice from the women behind One House Bakery, Bossy Beauty Cosmetics, and Golde ✨ http://ow.ly/HkcE50LYIa6

We wish all of you a happy holiday season, from the Arctic shores to the California Coast and everywhere in between!

Congratulations to Argentina and a huge round of applause for all of the countries who competed in the ! Watching the performance of an extraordinary athlete like Leo Messi shows us how one person’s perseverance and commitment to their passion can affect the entire world.

With 3.5 billion soccer/football fans out there, we’ve noticed how this series has brought the entire world together. We’re excited for to this happen once again for , when we anticipate just as many thrills and surprises! 🌏⚽️🏟️🥇

When Hurricane Ian struck southwest Florida, we couldn’t imagine the devastation that it wrought. In response to the disaster, Bank of the West, through the United Way, donated a to help a family in need. We were honored to be there on the big day when the Valerices–Mercilia, a school counselor, and Junior, an Uber Driver–saw their new home for the first time.

The Valerices live in Lee County, where 5,000 homes were completely destroyed and another 13,000 sustained major damage. 17,000 people–including Mercilia and Junior– were displaced. In the wake of the storm, the Valerices returned to find their first-floor condo filled with 6’ of water; all of their belongings had been lost, including their car, and they had nowhere to live. After receiving the RV, "they were ecstatic, and I am proud to be a part of it,” remarked BOTW’s Ron Altman.

As a Pinnacle Member of The Conservation Alliance, we're proud to share that they have announced four new Confluence Program grantees for 2022: Detroit Black Farmer Land Fund, Great Plains Restoration Council, Ridges to Riffles, and Wind River Tribal Buffalo Initiative.

Each of the four grantees are historically racially excluded groups working on projects that seek to protect land and water using an intersectional approach that addresses the environmental and social needs of their community. As part of the Confluence Program, they’ll receive $100,000 in grant funding over two years, as well as advocacy and communications support.

The Confluence Program was created to expand The Conservation Alliance’s network of grantee and business partners to represent a coalition of everyone working to protect or conserve land and water. Head over to The Conservation Alliance to learn more.

Hats off to treasurers, who took steps to guard operations against cyber-security and fraud threats during the pandemic's shift to remote/hybrid work. But hold the champagne, because fraudsters will almost certainly find ways to exploit remote workers and the digital tools that make it possible.

Here's a look at how treasurers can continue to fortify ops amid the threat: http://ow.ly/L41k50LYF0c

Thank you to Money Crashers for naming us the Best Bank in California for Environmental Activists!

“Bank of the West is another deeply rooted California bank that remains loyal to its home state. With branch and ATM coverage across the entire state, it’s accessible for most Californians too. Bank of the West leans into California’s long history of environmental activism with its 1% for the Planet Checking account. It donates 1% of net revenues from those accounts to environmental nonprofits at no cost to you (or anyone else who does business with the bank). You can see your debit card purchases’ estimated carbon footprint in your account dashboard too."

https://www.moneycrashers.com/best-banks-california/

It's time for tech leaders to more deeply embed ESG principles into their businesses.

Check out these three opportunities for tech companies ready to capitalize on the industry's ESG leadership.

http://ow.ly/T55B50LTYhi

Some were real. Some were fictional. They all changed the world. From She Said to Amanda Bonner daring to have a career in 1945, women activists on film have an amazing history. See who made our list.

https://meansandmatters.bankofthewest.com/article/sustainable-living/arts-and-culture/6-films-about-women-activists-that-defined-their-times/

We love this portfolio compilation that put together for our Explain Like I’m 5 series. 🎥 It features our Chief Economist, Scott Anderson, explaining complex topics to a table of curious, inquisitive kindergartners. 👧🏻🧒🏾👦🏼Click through ➡️to see all the fun shots, then head over to our TikTok to check them out for yourself - at www.tiktok.com/ or through our link in bio. 🌏💵🎨

5 Strategies for Growing Your Business in 2023 - Means and Matters

Is your business ready for growth in 2023?

Last year threw many business owners for a loop, but these five strategies helped many entrepreneurs thrive anyway. Embracing them now can help your growing company prepare for the year ahead.

▶️ http://ow.ly/F4WF50LRIme

5 Strategies for Growing Your Business in 2023 - Means and Matters Many powerful forces buffeted businesses in 2022. Here's a look at five strategies business owners embraced in 2022 and why they will remain...

As an organization, we recognize World AIDS Day and commemorate the countless brave journeys and battles that people living with AIDS and HIV face each year. Acting as a strong ally and champion for this group is vital to our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion practices.

As an organization, we recognize World AIDS Day and commemorate the countless brave journeys and battles that people living with AIDS and HIV face each year. Acting as a strong ally and champion for this group is vital to our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion practices.

Today is Native American Heritage Day, when we honor American Indians and recognize our indigenous cultural heritage!

Some members of our team recently spent a few days learning from the Amuh Mutsun Tribal Band; they talked about about the practical and cultural value of controlled fires, and how the council members are reaffirming the Amuh Mutsun’s role as stewards and caretakers of sacred land.

You can learn more about their work, philosophy, and connection to the land here: https://meansandmatters.bankofthewest.com/article/sustainable-living/arts-and-culture/the-amah-mutsun-are-preserving-the-land-through-fire-and-seed/

Happy Thanksgiving! 🦃 On the fourth Thursday in November, we gather with friends and family to celebrate our gratitude with feasts of all kinds! For many, Thanksgiving is a celebration of the harvest season and its bounty. In that spirit, we want to recognize the farmers who make this meal possible, and share some photos of incredible people we’ve met while producing

Fifth-generation coffee farmer Maria Palacio founded Progeny Coffee Farmers which streamlines the bean-to-cup process in a sustainable way so that more small farmers take a bigger cut. Sounds good to us.

▶️ http://ow.ly/HuGC50LEVEZ

Working Solutions Pacific Community Ventures - PCV Opportunity Fund

In celebration of tomorrow, shout out to Hannalee Pervan, co-owner and head baker at One House Bakery Hannalee and her mom were featured in the national news when their 6-foot bread sculpture of Han Solo from “The Empire Strikes Back" went viral.

The beloved baker is well known for her artisan creations and has an inspiring story of personal and entrepreneurial resilience from the early days of the pandemic.

Hear Hannalee's story on the Means & Matters podcast ▶️ http://ow.ly/7Cpg50LEVca

Congrats to UC Berkeley, which was just named the top university by the QS World Ranking. We’re proud to be the official bank of UC Berkeley, which is committed to making a positive environmental & social impact while developing the next generation of leaders in sustainability 🌎 🌱

How are they doing it? Find out 👉 http://ow.ly/zanu50LCK2V

Every we come together to honor the patriotism of those who serve, have served, and salute and remember those we have lost. As our CEO, Nandita Bakhshi, notes today and every day, it is our duty to remember and honor the sacrifices our veterans and their families have made for us 🇺🇸

Our Money Matters Report: Revealing the Sustainability Intention Gap is the proud recipient of the Public Relations Society of America - PRSA, San Francisco Bay Area Chapter Award for Standout Tactic of the Year!

In early 2022, we released this report highlighting the role finance can play in combating climate change and encouraging consumers and business leaders to find out what their money is financing.

Learn more about how your 👉 http://ow.ly/Zebc50Lzh9r

Backbone

Our president and chief executive officer, Nandita Bakhshi, has been reappointed by the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco to represent the 12th District on the Federal Advisory Council beginning January 1, 2023. In her final term, she will continue to consult with and advise the board on the industry, supporting the decision-making of the Central Bank.

Please join us in congratulating Nandita Bakhshi on her appointment!

Read the full announcement ▶️ http://ow.ly/VT2950LxV2i

Keep America's road trip alive! RV dealers can keep driving the industry forward, even as sales normalize after the pandemic boom.
RV Industry Association RV Learning Center - RV Dealers Convention/Expo

Being a is tough. Being a woman in business at a C-suite level on a team of 10,000? Even tougher.

Our CEO Nandita Bakhshi is one of only 5% of female CEOs in the financial services sector globally, and in Fortune's October Issue, she shares that embracing is her secret for . Check out this article for her views on empathy, her personal rule of thirds, and what her “white knuckle moments” are as a woman in finance.
https://fortune.com/2022/10/19/bank-ceo-needs-empathy-effective-leader-nandita-bakhshi/

Your business has a positive impact on society and the planet, but are you making the most of your greater purpose to differentiate yourself in the marketplace? Join us to learn practical tips on how to tell your story with authenticity, connect with customers, and grow your community.

Register here: http://ow.ly/Fba150LgL8m

Planning for Retirement for Women Entrepreneurs

In entrepreneurship, cashflow is key, and saving for retirement can be an afterthought. But what if there were things you could do to prepare, even in the early stages, that won’t have you worrying about it when it’s too late? Join Paloma Vidgen, Jane Warner J.D. and Anna Leon for a discussion on retirement insights - from the start of your entrepreneurial journey to your exit strategy.

Register here: http://ow.ly/2ruh50LcoVx

Planning for Retirement for Women Entrepreneurs Join us for a session on how to plan for retirement as a woman entrepreneur, for every stage of entrepreneurship.

We were delighted to have our friends from Surfline join us at Dillon Beach for our sand mural installation - created and executed by the phenomenal Andres Amador Arts! In the past, Surfline has helped us bring awareness to the projects that Sustainable Surf and Sea Trees are working on throughout California. This time, they wrote an article about their experience and takeaways - check it out at https://www.surfline.com/surf-news/before-it-disappears/162348

7 Entrepreneurs Driving Change and Inspiring Others - Means and Matters

Priscilla Munoz-Prior of CelBlox and six others from the Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center's Milestone Makers program share their wisdom and lessons learned with other startups.

7 Entrepreneurs Driving Change and Inspiring Others - Means and Matters These up-and-coming entrepreneurs share about the wisdom, resources, and camaraderie they gained from participating in the Milestone Makers, a Nasdaq Entrepreneur Center program.

The recent sale of A to Z Wineworks to Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery was not a one-off. It was driven by trends affecting the entire industry.

Bank of the West's Adam Beak explains further at https://meansandmatters.bankofthewest.com/article/financial-perspectives/industries/the-powerful-forces-fueling-wine-industry-deals/

As you reflect on your summer days at the beach, take some time to learn about the importance of one of our most vital neighbors: forests!

Check out more from our partners in this fight to — Sustainable Surf, Seatrees, and surf guru Kassia + Surf — and take a look at a fantastic piece from Surfline - https://www.surfline.com/surf-news/kelp-needs-help/159452

Nature is not the polar opposite of a video game. On the contrary, many gamers—including influencer Trent Arant and Firewatch fan Jack Kelley—not only care about the environment but also find that their love of games leads them into conservation as a career or lifestyle attitude. Others have found ways to use games as a launchpad for teaching people about conservation—even if they'd never cared about it before in their IRL life.

https://meansandmatters.bankofthewest.com/article/sustainable-living/arts-and-culture/can-gamers-adopt-a-new-avatar-conservationist/

As part of Bank of the West's commitment to our communities and the California environment, more than thirty team members--including Ben Stuart, Head of Growth of Transformation, Augustin de Kerversau, Head of Commercial Banking, and Melissa Fifield, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility & Sustainability--headed to Calistoga, CA on Wednesday to install bright green reflective address signs. These will make it easier for first responders to find homes and residents in case of fire and near-blinding smoke.

This project, known as Reflect to Protect, was led by local residents who are part of Napafirewise—a countywide umbrella organization—and the Calistoga Fire Safe Council. Since the 2017 Tubbs Fire and the 2020 Glass Fire, there has been great mobilization within local communities to find new ways to protect themselves and one another.

Melissa reflected, “We thought this was such a worthwhile project to support. What was appealing to us about this particular project, [in addition to] being able to help with grant funding, was the opportunity for us as bank employees to get out from behind our desks and actually do some hands-on volunteer work that makes a difference people’s lives.”

We look forward to installing hundreds more signs during our next volunteer day in a couple of weeks!

It's time to reframe the urban-rural/Black-white binary--rural culture has always included Black people. Meet the generation of artists who are reclaiming country and making sure everyone knows that America's rural roots are just as Black as they are white. Author Adrienne Samuels Gibbs and artist Rissi Palmer tell the story.

https://meansandmatters.bankofthewest.com/article/sustainable-living/arts-and-culture/black-artists-reclaim-their-rightful-place-in-americas-rural-culture/