Bank of the West has its headquarters in San Francisco and has almost 600 branches in Western United States. They handle savings, loans, credit cards, and all other kinds of financial services that one would expect of a bank. But Bank of the West is not your average bank. It is a bank with the firm belief that their financing practices can help be a driving force for changing the world to a better place.
BNP Paribas Group, which Bank of the West is a part of, has incorporated the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals into their corporate policy. Social and environmental responsibility are at the core of their operational processes. The ultimate goal is to help protect the planet, improve people’s lives, and strengthen communities.
Bank of the West finances renewable and clean energy, empowers entrepreneurs whose ideas can positively impact the world, and invests in segments that represent long-term, sustainable growth for society as a whole. But it’s equally important to take a stand on what not to finance. Bank of the West will not finance arctic oil drilling and gas exploration, coal-fired power plants that are not actively involved in the energy transition, or companies involved in shale and tar sands mining, or big tobacco.
–Sustainability is at the heart of our strategy and our finance decisions. I am proud to be working for a company that wants to play a leading role on making a positive impact on society. Adrian Millén, VP International Business Development
Bank of the West also differs itself by having a wide range of international services. The International Banking Group is a team of multilingual specialists dedicated to helping international clients who have recently moved to the U.S.
–Nonresidents, expatriates and international hires have unique needs. We have products and solutions that address the challenges and opportunities facing international clients. Adrian Millén
As VP Business Development Officer, Adrian Millén develops products and services for the bank’s international clients. For instance, Bank of the West offers credit cards, and loans for clients on work visas with no previous credit history. Another part of the job is to work with external parties such as Relocation Agents, Destination Service Consultants, International organizations, Immigration Lawyers, and accountants. Adrian Millen is also a frequent speaker at events for tech entrepreneurs.
–If you think it’s hard to adjust to a new country’s laws, regulations, and routines for your private banking, it is nothing compared to running a business! Talk to us. It is better to get it right the first time. Adrian Millén
As a former intern at SACC San Diego and a current member of SACC SF/SV’s Board of Directors, Adrian Millén is a strong advocate for networking and knowledge-sharing. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to him at adrian.millen@bankofthewest.com if you have banking questions or need help to get a loan, set up a financial profile, or manage your tech shares. Or if you just want to move your savings to a bank where your money may help make this world a little better.
