Financial Services >> CEO Interviews >> May 22, 2000

David Payne – Westamerica Bancorporation (wabc)

DAVID L. PAYNE is Chairman, President & CEO of Westamerica Bancorporation, a holding company for two northern California community banks. Westamerica Bancorporation is headquartered in San Rafael. A longtime major Westamerica shareholder, Mr. Payne was elected to the Board in 1984, became Chairman in 1988 and Chief Executive Officer the following year. In part, the company's impressive growth over these past years reflects a series of successful mergers with smaller banking companies that share Westamerica's community banking philosophy: John Muir National Bank, Napa Valley Bancorporation, PV Financial, CapitolBank-Sacramento, North Bay Bancorp and ValliCorp Bank-Fresno. Mr. Payne came to Westamerica from his family printing, publishing and cable TV business, a well-diversified and solid bottom-line-oriented background that helped him to successfully lead Westamerica in this rapidly changing and consolidating banking business. Profile
TWST: Could you begin by giving us a brief overview of Westamerica

Bancorporation?

Mr. Payne: Westamerica Bank is a community bank located in northern and

central California with 90 branches.