This article digs into BayCom Corp.’s surprising leadership shake-up at United Business Bank in Walnut Creek. The bank’s now shifting toward organic growth under a new PacWest-led executive team, which could ripple out to customers and investors across the North Bay—including Marin County towns from San Rafael to Mill Valley.
Table of Contents
Discover hand-picked hotels and vacation homes tailored for every traveler. Skip booking fees and secure your dream stay today with real-time availability!
Browse Accommodations Now
Leadership Shake-Up: A New Growth Path for Walnut Creek’s United Business Bank
BayCom Corp. stunned the Bay Area banking scene by replacing its longtime senior leadership. CEO George Guarini, COO Janet King, and CFO Keary Colwell had run United Business Bank since its 2004 founding and guided a string of acquisitions, building out a 34-branch network.
The board brought in former PacWest executives: William Black (executive vice chairman), Christopher Baron (CEO), and Kevin Thompson (CFO). After the announcement, investors in Walnut Creek and beyond felt a mix of excitement and caution, since the bank looks set to move away from merger talk and focus hard on organic growth and strategic scale across the Western U.S.
Black, Baron, and Thompson all have big-bank experience, which could shake things up at this regional lender. Folks in San Rafael, Novato, and Corte Madera might notice the shift as new leadership takes the helm of a bank that’s long served Contra Costa County businesses and the affluent communities along the 680/24 corridors into San Francisco.
New Leadership Team
- William Black — executive vice chairman, former PacWest.
- Christopher Baron — CEO, former PacWest.
- Kevin Thompson — CFO, former PacWest.
The board called the changes a critical step to close what they described as an “organic growth gap.” They want to strengthen earnings and expand the bank’s reach in the West.
In Marin County, folks in Sausalito and Tiburon are curious to see if this new leadership will deliver better service and responsiveness for mid-market clients and small businesses from San Anselmo to Larkspur.
Market Reaction and Financial Snapshot
The market didn’t waste time reacting—BayCom shares dropped over 10% on the news. Investors quickly began reassessing the odds of a near-term merger and started focusing on the bank’s organic growth plans.
Analysts in San Francisco, Marin, and the wider Bay Area think this leadership change signals a strategic pivot. They see BayCom’s priorities shifting toward a broader Western-region consolidation strategy, which might open the door to bigger regional deals down the line.
Analyst Perspectives
- Timothy Coffey, Brean Capital — sees the move as a shift from selling to prioritizing organic growth, then maybe pursuing larger regional combinations for a better trading multiple down the road.
- Brendan Nosal, Hovde — thinks the leadership swap recalibrates the bank for scale and Western-region synergies, hinting at a more aggressive growth push.
BayCom reported $27 million in net income for 2025. Loans totaled $2.05 billion, and overall portfolio growth was just over 2% since the end of 2022.
Their most recent acquisition was Pacific Enterprise Bancorp in February 2022. The board says there’s real potential to boost earnings and improve the trading multiple before chasing any big deals, and Marin business leaders from San Rafael to Ross are watching closely.
What This Means for Marin County and the North Bay
For Marin County communities—from San Anselmo and Fairfax to the shopping districts in Corte Madera and Larkspur—this leadership shake-up could mean stronger lending, better treasury services, and improved digital banking for local small businesses and professionals in Mill Valley and Tiburon.
The Western-region strategy lines up with ongoing growth in the North Bay’s commercial corridors. There are opportunities along the 101 corridor near Novato and the I-580/680 routes connecting Marin to Walnut Creek and downtown Oakland.
Residents and Small Businesses Should Watch For
- Expect more cross-border lending products. Marin County borrowers in Sausalito, San Rafael, and Corte Madera could see faster decisions, too.
- Pricing and service integrations should improve as the new team leverages scale across the Western region.
- Mid-market firms, family-owned businesses, and nonprofits in Oakland, San Francisco, and the North Bay might notice enhanced technology and treasury offerings tailored for their needs.
Looking Ahead: Organic Growth First, Transformational Deals Later
BayCom’s board wants to rebuild a growth engine and eventually pursue larger deals to complete a broader Western Region footprint. For now, though, they’re keeping organic growth in focus.
Outgoing executives left on good terms. They’ve said they trust the new leadership to move the bank’s vision forward in Walnut Creek, Marin, and the wider North Bay.
Residents from San Rafael to San Anselmo and Corte Madera are probably watching closely. The next few quarters might reveal how this Western expansion turns into real banking choices and more community investment in places like Mill Valley, Tiburon, and Novato.
Here is the source article for this story: BayCom in California replaces its senior leadership team
Find available hotels and vacation homes instantly. No fees, best rates guaranteed!
Check Availability Now
Cities and Towns in Marin County
Things to Do in Marin County
Places to Stay in Marin County
