Kathie
Sowa, commercial banking market executive and market president of the
greater Sacramento region for Bank of America Merrill Lynch, will serve
as the 2017-2018 chair of the board of directors for California’s
largest banking trade association. Sowa leads commercial banking teams
serving clients in the Central Valley and Central Coast of California,
and she is also the greater Sacramento market president serving the
1,200 employees in the 7 counties in the market. Sowa’s banking career
spans more than 30 years, and she has held other leadership roles in
commercial real estate banking, risk management and commercial credit
approval. She moved to the Sacramento area in 2001 to lead SBA lending
nationally for Bank of America.
“The CBA is very pleased to have Kathie Sowa serve as our chair of
the board this year,” said Simone Lagomarsino, president and CEO of CBA.
“Kathie has been a strong and vocal advocate for the banking industry
for many years, and we look forward to the leadership and guidance she
will provide the association in the coming year.”
“I am honored to be serving as the association’s chair,” Sowa said.
“Through this important volunteer leadership position with the CBA, I
will continue to be a positive voice for the entire banking community
and support our member banks in their dedicated efforts to serve
California’s communities and promote economic growth.”
Sowa has been a member of the CBA’s board of directors’ executive
committee since 2011. In addition to her service to the CBA, Sowa is
very active in the Sacramento community. She serves on the board of
advisors for the University of California, Davis, and she is currently
chair of the City Year Sacramento site board which deploys more than 60
skilled AmeriCorps members in seven schools working to increase student
success and graduation rates. Additionally, she is a member of the
American Heart Association’s Red Circle, and the United Way’s Women in
Philanthropy, which supports foster youth. She previously served on the
United Way board for nine years.
About the CBA
Established 126 years ago, the California Bankers Association (CBA)
is one of the largest state banking trade associations in the country.
CBA leads the way in developing relevant educational and legislative
solutions to some of California’s more pressing financial and banking
issues, including adult financial empowerment, identity theft, financial
privacy and elder financial abuse. CBA’s membership includes the
majority of California’s commercial, community banks and savings
associations. For more information, visit www.calbankers.com.