R. MARK WALKER
BANKING EXECUTIVE | RECRUITER | BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
Moraga
Summary
Versatile banking executive with deep experience across multiple Banking disciplines, business cycles, credit disciplines, talent sourcing, team building, developing talent while successfully driving revenue amongst several client segments. Career fundamentally shaped by a successful 20-year tenure at Wells Fargo and expanded through leadership roles at additional Banking institutions (including Large Banks, Regional Banks and Community Banks). Owner of an extensive network of Bankers, Banking Executives, Business Owners and referral sources. Proven ability to navigate complex environments—economic downturns, leadership transitions, restructurings—while consistently delivering growth and stability. Banking Recruiter & Team Builder who built and rebuilt numerous Banking Teams with top performers. Deep understanding of numerous Banking disciplines, including Corporate Banking, Private Banking, Brokerage, Business Banking, Relationship Management, Credit Administration and Internal Audit). Executed several strategic initiatives by building sales programs, joint business plans, and go-to-market strategies; align teams, leverage tools (Proprietary & Salesforce), while hitting metrics.
Overview
34
34
years of professional experience
Work History
SVP, Northern California Regional Bank Head
FFB BANK
06.2023 - 05.2025
- Recruited to establish FFB Bank’s presence in Northern California, spearheading successful market entry despite no brand visibility, advertising support, physical office space, or signage. Reported to Chief Lending Officer.
- Built $250M loan and $125M deposit pipelines within 18 months through direct outreach, referral networks, and personal reputation, positioning FFB Bank as a trusted partner in a volatile post-SVB banking market and COVID.
- Originated 34 new client relationships in 18 months; sourced and structured Commercial credits and cultivated key referral sources without traditional marketing investment.
- Recruited, built, coached, and credit-trained a high-performing regional team (5 direct reports) within 6 months; promoted 2 bankers based on exceptional performance and development.
- Fostered a collegial, high-integrity culture, providing decisive leadership emphasizing collaboration, information sharing, and professional growth.
SVP, Business Development Manager | Middle Market Banking
CITY NATIONAL BANK
04.2021 - 04.2023
- Hand-selected to develop a team of 12 bankers across Northern California. Partnered with market executive to implement targeted business development strategy, driving strong regional performance and outpacing new business goals in year 1.
- Acted as accountability coach, helping bankers grow Commercial Banking books of business by refining prospecting strategy, curating top 25 target lists, crafting outreach messaging, and guiding cold call/email approaches.
- Mentored team on advanced banking sales tactics, including relationship building, active listening, and simplifying complex financial structures for client communications.
- Key driver in team’s outstanding performance: 2022: Achieved 17% YoY growth in IBPT through increased NII, deposits, and AUM. 2022.
- Re-recruited back to CNB after working there in 2005.
SVP, Originator | Middle Market Banking
FIFTH THIRD BANK
02.2020 - 03.2021
- Recruited to help establish de novo presence for Fifth Third Bank in the Bay Area, calling on Middle Market prospects with $50M to $2B in revenues. Drove significant new business despite COVID disruptions through perseverance, longstanding relationships, and ability to adapt and problem-solve in a dynamic environment.
- Developed long-term calling programs (5-20 meetings), built GTM strategy, and drove business development through effective cold calling (25% success rate vs. 8% industry average), e-marketing, and social networking.
- Secured $40M in loan refinancing for a $140M business ($2M in fee income), consolidating 20 separate loans at favorable rates and positioning the client for future PE acquisition, saving the business during COVID.
SVP, Commercial Banking Manager
FIRST CITIZENS BANK
08.2017 - 02.2020
- Recruited to build a de novo office and brand presence in the San Francisco Bay Area. Established infrastructure, ensured regulatory readiness, hired and developed a 5-person team, and grew portfolio from the ground up. Specializing in healthcare lending to doctor groups and dentists.
- Originated $48M in loan commitments and $10M in deposits, including complex CRE, healthcare, and partnership buy-in financing—among the firm’s largest transactions.
- Cultivated a strong referral network by leveraging centers of influence (CPAs, attorneys, real estate brokers, dental societies), fueling a consistent pipeline of dental and owner-occupied CRE transactions.
SVP, Regional Manager | Commercial Banking
MECHANICS BANK
07.2016 - 03.2017
- Recruited to RE-establish the bank’s dwindled commercial presence in the East Bay. Bank had experienced significant runoff due to Employee loss. Led efforts to build out new offices in Oakland.
Entrepreneur | Started Search Firm | Banking Focus
RM WALKER & ASSOCIATES LLC
12.2014 - 07.2016
- Launched a boutique search firm connecting banking institutions with top talent and advising bankers on career growth.
- Favorite Job; but Sons were approaching college age which limited necessary infrastructure investment.
- Sourced Banking Talent for Regional Banks, Community Banks, and a Brokerage House.
- Successfully placed 8 Bankers
Managing Director | Retain Search Firm
PENFOLD & ASSOCIATES LLC
04.2014 - 12.2014
- Placed senior talent, including bankers, auditors, and portfolio managers, for local banking clients in a retained search role.
- Banking experience and deep understanding of skills required to be a successful Banker resonated extremely well with Banking Clients.
- Strengthened client relationships with regular communication, timely project delivery, and high-quality services.
SVP, Managing Director | Private Banking | Wealth Management Group
UNION BANK
04.2012 - 07.2014
- Recruited to revitalize Northern California Private Banking, overcoming an 8-year growth stagnation through improved outbound calling, client relationship management, portfolio growth, and talent development.
- Revived stagnant region, increasing loan portfolio 10% (to $1B) and deposits 20% (to $1.4B) in year 1; added $600M in new business; built a high-performing team through targeted recruiting, coaching, and leadership development.
- Recruited and rebuilt Banking Team without use of Recruiters.
- Developed measurement tools, dashboards, and reports to track metrics on adoption and effectiveness of initiatives.
- Championed innovation by encouraging cross-functional teams to pursue creative solutions to complex challenges.
- Revamped sales strategies to increase customer acquisition rates while maintaining strong profit margins.
Promoted to Several Roles and Internal Groups
WELLS FARGO & CO.
02.1991 - 04.2012
- SVP, Regional Manager | Private Banking | Wealth Management Group (8/2008 – 4/2012)
- Promoted to lead Wells Fargo’s largest Private Banking office nationally, overseeing 28 bankers across 4 NorCal locations.
- Increased loan portfolio from $1.1B to $1.8B and deposits from $1B to $3B during the banking crisis.
- Boosted Wealth Management revenue 44% and net profit 220%; generated $425M in new business from existing clients.
- Executed a significant reduction in force and then successfully recruited and rebuilt a team of 25 Private Bankers.
- VP, Business Development Manager | Corporate-Commercial Banking (2000 – 2005 / 2007 – 2008)
- Ranked #1 nationally in business development (out of 200); generated $1M+ annually in new revenue.
- Built a portfolio yielding $9M in annual net profit; managed relationships with 125+ C-level executives.
- Delivered structured debt, treasury services, FX, and capital markets solutions to high-growth companies.
- Early Career Highlights (1991 – 2000) | Multiple Golden Spoke Award winner (top 10% in sales performance nationally)
- Built and led a 15-person Business Banking team across 4 states. Completed Wells Fargo’s top-tier credit training.
- Approved $2B+ in SBA loans for 500+ small and minority-owned businesses.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Political Science
University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, CA 05.2001 -
Certificate - Intermediate Accounting, Financial Analysis, Tax Analysis
UC Berkeley Extension
Berkeley, CA 05.2001 -
Skills
Business development
Recruiting and hiring
Talent Development
Cross-functional collaboration
Strategic leadership
Revenue generation
Financial acumen
Corporate presentations
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Board Member, Okizu (summer camp for families of children with cancer), Finance Committee Member, church and nonprofit organizations, Volunteer, Loaves & Fishes (elder meal delivery service) | Youth Coach, Orinda Baseball and CYO Basketball, Volunteer & Wells Fargo Liaison, Wardrobe for Opportunity (2005–2019)
Timeline
SVP, Northern California Regional Bank Head
FFB BANK
06.2023 - 05.2025
SVP, Business Development Manager | Middle Market Banking
CITY NATIONAL BANK
04.2021 - 04.2023
SVP, Originator | Middle Market Banking
FIFTH THIRD BANK
02.2020 - 03.2021
SVP, Commercial Banking Manager
FIRST CITIZENS BANK
08.2017 - 02.2020
SVP, Regional Manager | Commercial Banking
MECHANICS BANK
07.2016 - 03.2017
Entrepreneur | Started Search Firm | Banking Focus
RM WALKER & ASSOCIATES LLC
12.2014 - 07.2016
Managing Director | Retain Search Firm
PENFOLD & ASSOCIATES LLC
04.2014 - 12.2014
SVP, Managing Director | Private Banking | Wealth Management Group
UNION BANK
04.2012 - 07.2014
Bachelor of Arts - Political Science
University of California, Berkeley
05.2001 -
Certificate - Intermediate Accounting, Financial Analysis, Tax Analysis
UC Berkeley Extension
05.2001 -
Promoted to Several Roles and Internal Groups
WELLS FARGO & CO.
02.1991 - 04.2012