Opus Bank announced that John Norawong has joined Opus as Senior Managing Director – Commercial Banking - Pacific Northwest Region. Mr. Norawong, a 24-year banking veteran, is responsible for expanding Opus’ commercial and corporate client base, as well as for leading, managing, and growing Opus’ Commercial Banking division’s impact and presence in the Pacific Northwest region.
Stephen H. Gordon, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of Opus Bank, stated, “We are excited to have John join Opus to lead and continue to grow our Commercial Banking team in the Seattle Puget Sound market. He is a seasoned banking professional with a deep understanding of the region’s unique business climate. Opus’ Commercial Banking clients will directly benefit from John’s wealth of knowledge and nearly 25 years of commercial banking experience structuring and delivering tailored solutions to entrepreneurs, business owners, and lower-middle and middle market companies in the Pacific Northwest.” Mr. Gordon added, “We look forward to Opus continuing to grow its lending, depository services, and market presence, adding to the success Opus has already achieved having funded over $400 million of loans in the Seattle Puget Sound region in the past two years.”
Geoff Anfuso, Executive Vice President, Head of Commercial and Specialty Banking, said, “John is a deeply rooted banker in the Puget Sound region and shares Opus’ approach to relationship-based banking, where our bankers are viewed as trusted advisors in their approach to delivering tailored financial solutions to those entrepreneurs, businesses, and middle market companies with the vision and ability to expand and grow.” Mr. Anfuso concluded, “We look forward to John’s contribution as Opus continues to grow its overall relationship-based commercial banking franchise in the Pacific Northwest.”
Norawong joins Opus most recently from Seattle Metropolitan Credit Union, where he served as Head of Commercial Lending and had the overall responsibility for the leadership, strategic development, and sales profitability for the Pacific Northwest.
From 2013 to 2016, Norawong served as Pacific Northwest Market President at BBVA Compass, where he focused on building client relationships with middle and upper middle market companies. From 2012 to 2013, Norawong served as Senior Vice President and Regional Manager at Bank of the West, where he led the sales, strategic planning, budgeting, and profitability of the lower middle market and large corporate banking team. Earlier in his career, Norawong served for seven years as Senior Vice President with Key Bank, where he led the corporate banking activities in Western Washington and San Francisco Bay Area.
Norawong began his banking career in 1993 with Sanwa Bank, prior to its acquisition by Bank of the West. Mr. Norawong holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from Brigham Young University and a M.B.A from the University of Tennessee.