Banc of California, Inc. announced Debora Vrana has joined its wholly owned subsidiary, Banc of California, N.A. (the Bank), in the newly created role of Executive Vice President and Chief Communications Officer. She will also join the Bank’s senior management committee and sit on the board of the Bank’s philanthropic foundation.
Vrana will lead an experienced team responsible for advancing the Bank’s brand and developing and implementing marketing and communications strategies to drive business growth, as well as employee and customer engagement. Based in downtown Los Angeles, she will oversee internal and external communications, marketing, brand strategy and integration of communication with digital channels. Vrana will report to Chief Operating Officer John Sotoodeh. Samantha Haugh, SVP of Marketing for Banc of California, will continue to lead marketing and report to Vrana.
“Debora brings to Banc of California a strong track record of leadership and demonstrated ability to work strategically with business lines to support growth,” said Jared Wolff, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Banc of California. “We are at an exciting time in our Company’s history and I’m thrilled to have Debora join the Bank. She will play a key role in elevating and distinguishing our brand as well as contributing to our business strategy.”
In July, Banc of California and PacWest Bancorp announced a transformational merger, including a $400 million equity raise from Warburg Pincus LLC and Centerbridge Partners, L.P. Following the closing and anticipated asset sales, the combined bank is expected to have approximately $36.1 billion in assets and more than 70 branches in California, as well as branches in Colorado and North Carolina. The combined bank will be based in Los Angeles and operate under the Banc of California name. The deal is expected to close later this year or early next year subject to satisfaction of closing conditions, including receipt of customary required regulatory approvals and requisite approval by the stockholders of each company and the concurrent closing of the equity capital raise.
“Banc of California is in full growth mode and I am very pleased to be joining Jared’s leadership team to help drive strategy through marketing and communications and bring the Bank’s relationship-focused banking services to more businesses – big and small - in all our markets,” said Vrana. “Banc of California has a superb marketing team led by Samantha Haugh and I am looking forward to working with all the talented people at Banc of California. The Bank is highly committed to elevating all of our clients and communities through our expertise, tailored solutions and partnership approach. I’m honored to be a part of these efforts.”
Vrana brings more than two decades of communications experience, most recently as Chief Communications Officer for Los Angeles-based City National Bank, which she joined in 2007. There, she served as a key strategic advisor, leading a nationwide team responsible for all internal and external communications, as well as crisis communications and thought leadership for the bank. Previously, Vrana was an award-winning journalist at the Los Angeles Times for more than a decade.
Vrana has a long history of community service and since 2018 has served on the board of the Los Angeles Parks Foundation, a non-profit devoted to enhancing and preserving the more than 450 parks in Los Angeles. She has a Master’s Degree from Columbia University in New York City as well as an undergraduate degree from U.C. Berkeley.