Mechanics Bank expands wealth management team in Bay Area

Wednesday, November 29, 2023

Seven more wealth professionals join the 118-year-old California institution

Mechanics Bank has expanded its wealth management team, welcoming seven more accomplished wealth professionals based in San Francisco and Walnut Creek.

The expansion follows the appointment of Kelly Johnston, executive vice president and director of wealth management, who returned to Mechanics Bank in July to lead the unit and its delivery of additional offerings in private banking, specialty asset management, trust and estate services, retirement planning, and employee benefit plan administration.

“Everything we do is based on building relationships and inspiring trust, with a keen focus on consistently exceeding our clients’ expectations and meeting their evolving needs,” said Johnston. “Backed by Mechanics Bank’s 118-year record of financial stability and capital strength, we are investing significantly in additional talent and resources, with an emphasis on delivering a personalized client experience that is the hallmark of Mechanics Bank Wealth Management.”

Based San Francisco

Hamilton Kipp, director of real estate and unique assets. For over two decades, Hamilton has specialized in managing and creating customized strategies that address the complexities of real estate and other unique, non-liquid asset classes. His fiduciary services include acquisitions, dispositions, asset management, leasing, construction management, and property management. He holds a Master’s Degree in Applied Economics, and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Economics with honors from U.C. Santa Cruz.

Sommer McKinley, CFP®, AIF®, senior director of investment management services. Over the course of nearly 20 years, Sommer has utilized her wealth management and financial planning insights to provide a wide range of strategic investment strategies and trust services for high-net-worth individuals and nonprofit organizations. She is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) and an Accredited Investment Fiduciary® (AIF®). She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance and Marketing from the University of Miami, and a Certificate in Personal Financial Planning from the University of California at Berkeley.

Katrina Minas, senior associate, real estate and unique assets. Katrina brings a strong financial background with substantial experience in addressing complex real estate matters including property taxes, insurance, annual inspections and appraisals, and leasing services. She has more than a decade of experience in insurance, banking, trust, investment and real estate. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Management of Financial Institutions from De La Salle University, Manila.

Sheryl Ocampo, trust officer. Returning to Mechanics Bank, Sheryl has more than two decades of experience in the banking, trust and wealth management industry. She has a history of assisting clients with highly personalized trust administration needs, including various trusts, estates and agency relationships. She is a graduate of Cannon Financial Institute Personal Trust School hosted by Pepperdine University, and holds a bachelor’s degree from St. Paul University, Manila.

Tracy Yeakle, CCIM, real estate asset manager. With a strong professional background in diversified real estate, wealth management, and trust and estate-settlement services, Tracy has extensive experience managing and administering a comprehensive portfolio of commercial, retail, multifamily and residential assets. A leader in her field, she is highly active in CREW San Francisco (Commercial Real Estate Women), for which she currently serves as Chair of the Membership Committee. As well, she is a Certified Commercial Investment Member, and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Pomona College.

Based in Walnut Creek

Ann Hamilton, CTFA®, director of fiduciary services. A wealth management, and trust and estate planning professional for more than 30 years, Ann specializes in serving the complex financial needs of ultra-high-net-worth families, delivering trust, estate planning and philanthropic strategies tailored to each situation. She is a Certified Trust and Financial Analyst (CTFA®).

Hooman Hamzeh, senior relationship manager. A private banking and residential lending professional for over 20 years, Hooman excels at providing personalized service, quick decision making and exceeding client expectations. He attended San Diego State University, where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration.

About Mechanics Bank

Mechanics Bank is an independent, full-service bank headquartered in Walnut Creek, Calif., with approximately $18 billion in assets, a best-in-class deposit franchise, and 112 branches. Founded in 1905 to help consumers, businesses and communities prosper, it has become one of the largest banks based in California, and is among the strongest, safest and most resilient banks in the nation. Mechanics Bank takes pride in providing a highly personalized relationship-banking experience, and a wide range of products and resources in consumer and business banking, commercial lending, cash management, private banking, and comprehensive wealth management and trust services. For more information, please visit www.MechanicsBank.com.

Mechanics Bank is an Equal Housing Lender.