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Western Alliance Bancorporation

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Industry Banks - Regional
Employees 1001-5000
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FY2018 Annual Report · Western Alliance Bancorporation
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Western Alliance Bank

A N N U A L  R E P O R T  2 0 1 8

At Western Alliance, we believe we are ‘Right for Business.’  
Direct access to senior management, responsiveness  
and staying true to our word allow businesses to trust the 
commitments we make and benefit from our focus on  
their business goals. And, because our driving purpose  
is to serve the needs of our customers, including providing  
access to credit and liquidity, our success is very much  
aligned with our clients’ success.”

Kenneth A. Vecchione / Chief Executive Officer 
Western Alliance Bank

Annual Report 2018Views on the Year 

Client Stories 

Capabilities 

04 
Letter From Our CEO 
Kenneth Vecchione

06 
Letter From Our  
Executive Chairman 
Robert Sarver

Financial Highlights 

08 
Q&A With Our  
Vice Chairman and CFO 
Dale Gibbons

09 
Consolidated Income  
Statements and Balance Sheets

10 
Loan and Deposit Growth

12 
Performance Measures

13 
Noteworthy 
Rankings and Awards

22 
Optimizely 
David Schwarzbach 

24 
Hines 
Chris Anderson

26 
Arcturus Therapeutics 
KC Kummerfeld and  
Neda Safarzadeh

28 
Foundation Gaming  
and Entertainment 
Donn Mitchell, Les McMackin  
and Greg Guida

30 
DreamBox Learning 
Jessie Woolley-Wilson

32 
Bronstein Hand Center 
Dr. Andrew J. Bronstein

34 
AmeriHome Mortgage 
Jim Furash and Josh Adler

36 
Theodora Oringher PC 
Todd Theodora

38 
Community Health Group 
Norma Diaz and Scott Carroll

40 
Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation 
Stuart Graff

14 
National Presence,  
Regional Footprint

16 
Here for Business 
Jim Haught, President and COO

18 
Structured for Business 
Division Leaders on  
Customized Banking

20 
Smart for Business 
Division Leaders on  
Key Differentiators

42 
Experience for Business 
Q&A with Specialized  
Banking Leaders

About Us 

44 
Involved for Business 
Supporting Communities

46 
Motivated for Business 
Working at WAB

48 
Board of Directors and  
Executive Leadership

50 
Access for Business 
Where to Find Us

Financial Highlights
Inside the numbers that made  
the year at Western Alliance. 

National Presence,  
Regional Footprint
Western Alliance’s unique  
structure benefits clients.

08–13

Client Stories
Growing businesses pinpoint 
why the right bank matters.

22–41

14–21

Letter From Our CEO

Dear Clients, Shareholders and Friends of Western Alliance, 

It is my privilege to be writing to the shareholders  
of this terrific company after my first full year as CEO. 
I have been connected to Western Alliance for over 
10 years as an independent board member, director, 
president and now CEO. I love this company because of 
its passion for service, commitment to our clients  
and communities, and the hard work and loyalty of 
Western Alliance people. The success of our clients has 
always led to the success of Western Alliance. 

It is an honor for me to succeed Robert Sarver, 
and I’m humbled by the confidence our Board of 
Directors has shown in my leadership. I am pleased 
to share our 2018 results and future plans to lift 
Western Alliance to even higher levels of growth. 

Western Alliance had another strong year in 2018. In 
an environment dominated by change – business, 
technology, politics and culture – we achieved 
record financial performance and launched several 
new business initiatives designed to further our 
financial performance and meet client expectations 
in the future. In 2018, loans grew 17% or $2.6 billion 
while deposits grew 13% or $2.2 billion. Total assets 
rose to $23.1 billion, which was a 14% increase over 
the prior year. In 2018, we grew operating revenue 
17% to $970 million, and we increased earnings per 
share by 34% to $4.14.

Our predictable and carefully managed growth 
generated an industry-leading return on average 
assets of 2.05% and return on average tangible 
common equity of 20.6%. These results were 
achieved against the backdrop of continued strong 
asset quality, including net loan losses of only 0.06% 
and total nonperforming assets of just 0.20% to 
total assets. Our tangible common equity ratio, a 
common measure of bank capital strength, rose to 

10.2% as we added $386 million to our tangible capital. 
These collective results earned us a top 10 ranking on 
the most recent Forbes “Best Banks in America” list for 
the fourth consecutive year, 2016-2019. 

This year, as with the banking industry overall, our 
stock performance did not keep pace with our financial 
performance. Our five-year total return to shareholders 
exceeds our peer group and the S&P 500 with a 65.5% 
total return, or 10.6% annualized, in comparison to share 
value contraction of 30.3% in 2018. While the company 
continues to deliver a very steady track record of 
financial performance, our share price has not captured 
our consistent results. I remain confident that our risk 
profile and diversified business model, overlaid with our 
culture and values, position Western Alliance to perform 
through a wide range of economic and market cycles.

While we are proud of these financial accomplishments, 
there is still more to achieve. This is how Western 
Alliance consistently creates and delivers value -- by 
focusing on the future while tactically delivering near-
term results. Ten years ago our National Business Lines 
did not exist. Our industry-leading financial performance 
is the direct result of the powerful combination of our 
commercial banking within our regional footprint and 
our specialty banking business expertise that spans  
the country. This is augmented by the ambition and 
energy we realize from layering fresh opportunities into 
the company. 

Over the years we have strengthened the company 
through thoughtful planning and rollout of new  
strategic initiatives that we have grown into a  
well-diversified portfolio of businesses. These include 
Hotel Franchise Finance, Alliance Association Bank 
(HOA services), Technology and Innovation Lending, 
along with Mortgage Warehouse Lending, Public and 
Nonprofit Finance and more. They all share similar 
characteristics – specialized lending and deposit 
services with limited competitors, strong asset quality, 
and high operating leverage requiring skilled bankers.  

I believe the scale and composition of our investments 
in specialized lending are difficult to replicate and 
provide us with a competitive advantage relative to our 
regional peer group. The combination of our regional 
footprint and national presence expands opportunities 
in different areas of banking and it is the key to our 
ability to deliver superior results. By managing the 
regional and national business mix and the customers 
and markets we serve, we have multiple ways to grow 
our business. This is not only effective but also efficient: 
Reflecting on 2018, revenue to expense grew 2.5:1 
assisted by our peer-group-leading 41.9% operating 
efficiency rate, which generated industry-leading 
financial returns. 

At Western Alliance, we believe we are “Right for 
Business.” Direct access to senior management, 
responsiveness and staying true to our word allow 
businesses to trust the commitments we make and 
benefit from our focus on their business goals. Our 
nimbleness, and the fact that we see the world as it is 
and not as we’d like it to be, provide us with clear-eyed 
perspective. And, because our driving purpose is to 
serve the needs of our customers, including providing 
access to credit and liquidity, our success is very  
much aligned with our clients’ success. 

Being right for business also means we actively  
support the quality of life in the communities  
we serve. In 2018, we grew our commitment to our 
communities, making $205 million in new community 
development loans, contributions of $1.2 million to 
worthwhile nonprofit organizations, and $133 million  
in new community investments. Our employees across 
the country volunteered more than 10,000 hours with 
community organizations and projects – a real point  
of pride for us. 

Capital is the output of our collective business strategy 
and financial performance. In 2018, our tangible book 
value rose 20.5% to $22.07. And, in the fourth quarter 
of 2018, we adopted a $250 million stock buyback 
program demonstrating our belief in the value of  
our company and the strong future ahead. In the fourth 
quarter, we purchased 901,000 shares at a weighted 
average price of $39.58. We are appropriately positioned 
to continue to support balance sheet expansion 
while continuing to fund loan and deposit initiatives. 
Our proven business model provides the earnings 
power and capital generation needed for growth and 
M&A opportunities, as well as returning capital to 
shareholders through the share repurchase program. 

As we move through 2019 and beyond, I believe 
Western Alliance is well positioned to execute our  
long-term strategic vision. Our success is predicated 
upon the dedication and talent of the Western Alliance  
people delivering superior products and services to  
our clients. Lastly, on behalf of the Board and our  
entire management team, I would like to thank you  
for your investment and continued confidence in 
Western Alliance.

Sincerely, 

Kenneth A. Vecchione 
Chief Executive Officer 
Western Alliance Bank

04        Views on the Year

Views on the Year        05

 
The foundation of our
success is investing in smart,
capable people who have a
demonstrated commitment
to serving our clients.”

Western Alliance’s long-term
strategy is the highest priority of
our Board of Directors. Our Board
actively works with management
to guide and evaluate company
strategy, monitor performance
against goals and priorities, and
adhere to appropriate governance
and risk management practices
to deliver long-term value to our
shareholders. Our Board is pleased
with the company’s 2018 financial
performance and believes we are
well positioned for future success.

The Board reviews corporate
strategy at each meeting
and evaluates the company’s
performance in achieving our
strategic priorities. Managing our
capital, launching new deposit
and loan initiatives, introducing
residential mortgages into our
loan mix, and de-emphasizing
construction and development
lending are just some of the
strategic priorities undertaken in
2018 with the Board’s oversight
and advice.

The Board also continues to focus
on long-term succession planning,
within both management and the
Board itself. At the upcoming annual
shareholder meeting in June, two
long-term directors will not stand
for re-election. Bill Boyd, who has
been a director and stockholder of

the company since 2002 and was
founder of the original BankWest
of Nevada, has decided to retire
from the Board. In recognition of his
unique status as founder, and his
long and distinguished service as a
director, the Board has appointed Bill
to the position of Director Emeritus,
effective as of the annual meeting.
Cary Mack, who has been a director
of the company since 2005, also
will step down from the Board
following the annual meeting. Cary
previously served as Chairman
of Torrey Pines Bank. Both Bill
and Cary were instrumental to
Western Alliance’s success and we
thank them for their many years of
invaluable service.

Our Nominating and Corporate
Governance Committee regularly
evaluates the size and composition
of the Board to ensure the right
mix of industry knowledge,
experience and skills to support
our strategic direction. This year
the Board is pleased to nominate
Adriane McFetridge as a new
Director. Adriane has been an
outstanding executive for a number
of high-performing companies and
will bring important technology
experience to the Board. Going
forward, the Governance Committee
will continue to balance director
continuity with the need for fresh
perspectives and diversity.

Our people and our culture
remain the key to our success. We
prioritize finding, motivating and
retaining talent. Supporting skills
and career growth helps people
become experienced managers
and leaders. It’s also important for
us to continue developing a deep
bench to help serve our clients so
they can maximize the full potential
of their businesses. The foundation
of our success is investing in
smart, capable people who have
a demonstrated commitment to
serving our clients.

In closing, I am very proud of
the management team and
their accomplishments, and am
confident that much future
success lies ahead. On behalf of
the Board of Directors and
management, thank you for your
confidence and investment in
Western Alliance Bank.

Sincerely,

Robert G. Sarver 
Executive Chairman of the Board 
Western Alliance Bank

06        Views on the Year

Views on the Year        07

Financial Highlights

Q&A with Dale Gibbons,  
Vice Chairman and CFO

How does Western Alliance’s 2018 
performance help position the bank for  
a strong 2019? 

To paraphrase Newton’s first law, an object in 
motion stays in motion. We’re not at rest. We’re 
engaging with clients, we’re enhancing our 
products, services and digital delivery. Our loans 
were up 17% for the year, about $2.6 billion, and 
up nearly $1 billion in the fourth quarter alone. We 
have significant momentum. 

How is the interest rate environment 
affecting Western Alliance – what  
about clients?

While the rising rate environment we’ve experienced 
the past couple of years has helped depositors, it 
also increased the required performance for some 
business initiatives to pencil out. As we enter a 
period of relative interest rate stability, it may 
result in business plans being more predictable. 
At Western Alliance, we have the tools to assist 
our clients with their financial needs and goals, 
and can structure fixed rate or variable rate loans, 
depending on what’s right for their business.

How does Western Alliance continue  
to perform at consistently high levels,  
even as the economy offers some 
potential challenges?

We maintain flexibility to be able to respond to 
changing economic conditions – most likely we 
will be operating within a continued expansion, but 
at a more measured pace. What helps Western 
Alliance is not relying on one set of tools to execute 
our business plan. Our multiple business lines have 
different demand generators. If the economy cools, 
this might bode well for the housing sector as the 
yield curve is likely to be less steep. If the economy 
doesn’t slow, commercial loan demand is likely to 
remain strong.

Which performance metric offers the 
most insight about Western Alliance?

I think the most important metric about Western 
Alliance is not necessarily in the numbers – it’s 
our repeat business with our clients. If they are 
repeat clients it means we’re offering them a value 
proposition. And we have one of the highest levels 
of repeat business in the industry. 

Our value proposition is our business acumen, 
our responsiveness and our ability to structure 
our services to meet our clients’ needs. It’s the 
engagement of our people in helping customers 
succeed. They stick with us and we are there for 
them, in the good times and the very challenging 
times. We were lending throughout the last 
recession when many banks were not. 

As CFO, what would you like clients and 
investors to know beyond the numbers? 

Our financial performance is how the story ends.  
I like to look upstream to see what’s really going  
on in the business. We have leading organic growth. 
How many meetings did our professionals have 
with clients? How many loan proposals did we 
develop? How many clients are we helping with 
treasury services? It’s not only the numbers, it’s 
what’s behind the numbers. It’s not the what,  
it’s the why.

Western Alliance Bancorporation

Consolidated Income Statements
(Unaudited) ($ in Thousands, except per share amounts)

2018

2017

2016

2015

Interest Income
Interest Expense

$   1,033,483 
(117,604)

$     845,513

$     700,506

$     525,144

(60,849)

(43,293)

(32,568)

Net Interest Income
Provision for Credit Losses

Net Interest Income After Provision
Non-Interest Income
Non-Interest Expense

Income Before Income Tax
Income Tax Expense

915,879 
(23,000)

892,879 
43,116 
 (425,667)

510,328 
(74,540)

784,664
(17,250)

767,414
45,344
(360,941)

451,817
(126,325)

657,213

(8,000)

649,213
42,915
(330,949)

361,179
(101,381)

492,576

(3,200)

489,376
29,768
(260,606)

258,538
(64,294)

Net Income

 $     435,788 

$     325,492

$     259,798

$     194,244

Dividends on Preferred Stock

–

–

–

(750)

Net Income Available to Common 
Stockholders

Weighted Average Common Shares 
Outstanding (Diluted)

Earnings Per Share Available to 
Common Stockholders (Diluted)

$     435,788 

$     325,492

$     259,798

$     193,494

105,370 

104,997

103,843

95,219

$        4.14 

$        3.10

$        2.50

$        2.03

Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Unaudited) ($ in Thousands)

Assets

Cash
Securities
Loans
Allowance for Credit Losses

Net Loans
Other Assets

Total Assets

Liabilities and Equity

Deposits
Borrowings
Other Liabilities

Total Liabilities
Stockholders’ Equity

2018

2017

2016

2015

$     498,572  
3,761,093 
17,710,629 
(152,717)

$     416,768
 3,820,354
15,093,935

(140,050)

$     284,491
 2,767,761
13,208,436 
(124,704)

$     224,640
 2,042,237
11,136,663 
(119,068)

17,557,912 
1,291,909 

14,953,885
 1,138,078

13,083,732
 1,064,858

11,017,595 
 990,617

$  23,109,486 

$  20,329,085

$  17,200,842

$  14,275,089

$  19,177,447 
873,869 
444,436 

$  16,972,532
792,922
333,933

$  14,549,863
489,665
269,785

$  12,030,624
398,483
254,480

 20,495,752 
2,613,734 

18,099,387
2,229,698

15,309,313
1,891,529

12,683,587 
1,591,502

Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

$  23,109,486 

$  20,329,085

$  17,200,842

$  14,275,089

08        Financial Highlights

Financial Highlights        09

 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
 
 
  
Built for  
Business

Balancing growth and stability, Western Alliance  
has the muscle and mindset to meet the banking and 
finance needs of our clients’ growing businesses. 

115%

66%

77%

39%

46%

55%

29%

0%

0%

0%

4%

17%

365%

269%

298%

222%

425% 
WAL Deposit Growth

332% 
WAL Loan Growth

178% 
Peer Loan Growth

173% 
Peer Deposit Growth

229%

145%

171%

105%

Normalized Loan and Deposit Growth

WAL Loans

Peer Loans*

WAL Deposits

Peer Deposits*

*Peer set is based on public financial institutions that have $10 billion to $100 billion 
in assets. Peer loans and peer deposits data accurate as of 12/31/18.

 
Western Alliance Bancorporation

Total Assets: $23.1 Billion
2018 Year End

Total Regulatory Capital: $2.9 Billion
2018 Year End

$2.9

Noteworthy

$23.1

20.3

17.2

14.3

2.5

2.1

1.6

10.6

9.3

7.6

6.8

5.8

6.2

1.1

1.0

0.9

0.7

0.7 0.7

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

Operating Performance

20.64% Return on Tangible Common Equity

2.05% Return on Average Assets

Shareholder Performance
$10,000 Investment Comparison

1 Year

3 Years

5 Years

WAL

  $6,975 

  $11,012  

  $16,551  

KBW Regional Banking Index 

 $8,251   

  $11,687 

  $12,688 

S&P 500

 $9,561  

  $13,039 

  $15,027 

Western Alliance earns   
top 10 spot on “Best Banks 
in America” list four years 
running, 2016-2019

FORBES 
Best Banks in America 2019

$4.1B

Market Cap 
12/31/18

34%

Earnings per  
share growth from  
2017 to 2018

Western Alliance recognized 
on Fortune’s 2018 
“100 Fastest-Growing 
Companies” list

FORTUNE MAGAZINE 
100 Fastest-Growing Companies List 2018

#1 in the West for Best 
Commercial Lending 
Strategy, and in top five for 
Best Corporate Citizen  
and Best Board

BANK DIRECTOR  
2019 RankingBanking Study

21%

Tangible book value  
per share increase from  
2017 to 2018

Western Alliance Bank is rated investment grade

12        Financial Highlights

Financial Highlights        13

National 
Presence

Regional 
Footprint

14        National Presence, Regional Footprint

National Presence, Regional Footprint        15

Here for 
Business

Boundary-less Banking

Jim Haught, Western Alliance Bank 
President and COO, has a clear view on 
how the bank delivers everything that 
its “national presence, regional footprint” 
structure means for customers. It’s 
about bringing seamless banking to 
businesses whether they are located in 
our regional geographies or anywhere 
else in the country.

“We are very conscious of our hybrid approach – 
local decision-making and responsiveness paired 
with significant centralized capabilities,” said 
Haught. “This helps our bankers be at the center of 
the customer relationship, with all the processes 
and technologies in place to complement the 
service our bank is known for.”

He added, “We are a $23 billion bank with the risk 
management and credit monitoring programs  
of a $50 billion bank. So, we can operate more like 
a smaller, specialized bank with all the customer 
service and expertise this entails, and go beyond to 
offer the robust capabilities of a much bigger bank.” 

Our job is to make it easy for 
clients to engage with the 
bank no matter how or when 
they need us – whether  
it’s 10 a.m. on a Tuesday or  
10 p.m. on a Saturday.”

Jim

Jim Haught / President and Chief Operating Officer 
Western Alliance Bank

16        National Presence, Regional Footprint

National Presence, Regional Footprint        17

Structured 
for Business

Our bankers in every sector deliver valuable advice 
that draws on years of business banking experience, 
whether your field is transformational or tried  
and true, or whether the economy is humming along  
or shifting into a lower gear. Our proven expertise  
and client-centric structure provide the jumping-off 
point for crafting customized banking for your  
one-of-a-kind company.

ALLIANCE BANK OF ARIZONA

TORREY PINES BANK 

Don Garner / Chief Executive Officer

John Maguire / Chief Executive Officer

“As the state’s largest locally 
headquartered bank, with a strong 
focus on the business community, 
we understand what moves the 
Arizona economy. Our clients in all 
sectors benefit from our on-the-
ground knowledge of local markets 
and industries. It’s not just financial 
resources – our expertise also helps 
our business customers grow.”

“Some banks have salespeople who 
make the initial contact, however, they 
subsequently hand you off to other 
departments. We don’t send clients 
somewhere else to close their loans. 
We work as a team, bringing deep 
understanding of both the industry 
and local market, in order to meet 
clients’ specific needs. The resulting 
experience of working with one 
relationship banker is seamless and 
that brings value to our customers.”

18        National Presence, Regional Footprint

National Presence, Regional Footprint        19

 
 
 
 
Smart for 
Business

We are solutions-centric. Whether 
our clients are in our thriving 
regional markets – or in any of the 
15+ tech hubs around the country 
where breakthrough approaches 
are spurring new businesses – we 
bring powerful expertise and a 
thoughtful process that add value. 

BANK OF NEVADA

BRIDGE BANK 

John Guedry / Chief Executive Officer

Dan Myers / Chief Executive Officer 

“We sit down and talk with our  
clients to understand their business 
plans, look at their budgets, how 
they’re modeling, what they’re doing 
and what they plan on doing. We 
pride ourselves on being responsive 
and available. Our process can mean 
better solutions for our clients, and  
a banking relationship that moves 
them forward.“

“Our bankers help tech and innovation 
sector companies maximize  
their most limited resource – their 
time – to achieve their business 
and strategic objectives. Our vast 
experience leads to smart banking 
solutions, and we’re also able  
to connect clients with other vital 
resources within the tech and 
innovation ecosystem we know  
very well.” 

We Know Business

Business Escrow Services

Mortgage Warehouse Lending

Commercial and Residential Construction

Municipal and Local Governments

Data Warehousing

Education

Equipment Finance

Gaming

Healthcare

Homeowner Associations

Hotels

Legal

Life Sciences

Nonprofits

Professional Services

Real Estate Development

Renewable Resources

Settlement Services

Small Businesses

Technology

Timeshare Resorts

Venture Capital and Private Equity

Manufacturing and Logistics

Wholesale and Distribution

20        National Presence, Regional Footprint

National Presence, Regional Footprint        21

 
 
 
 
 
Client Stories

Optimizely Opts for  
Relationship Banking 

By replacing digital guesswork with 
evidence-based results, Optimizely helps 
marketing, product, and engineering 
teams – including those at over 40% 
of Interbrand’s 100 top global brands – 
accelerate innovation and increase return 
on their digital investments.

When the San Francisco-based company, which  
has over $90 million in annual recurring revenue, 
wanted to optimize its banking, Optimizely turned to 
the technology banking experts at Western Alliance’s 
Bridge Bank. 

“Everyone always talks about relationship banking, 
but with Bridge this is quite real,” said Optimizely 
COO/CFO David Schwarzbach. “They took the time 
to understand the financial needs of our business. 
They also took the time to craft a loan structure that 
worked for us.” 

Another key differentiator was a visit from  
Western Alliance CEO Ken Vecchione. Schwarzbach 
continued, “I felt a genuine focus on being partners – 
again, everyone talks about this, but with this bank 
it’s real. We feel like we have access to Ken and all 
the bank’s leadership. To get to have that level of 
access is rare.”  

David Schwarzbach / Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer

22        Client Stories

Client Stories        23

 
We came to the bank when 
we were acquiring the land 
for a major mixed-use project, 
Chandler Viridian, which had 
lots of title issues, remnants 
of a failed development and 
all sorts of complications. 
Alliance was the best group 
for this complex project: They 
understood what we were 
trying to achieve and brought 
important local knowledge.” 

Chris

Chris Anderson / Managing Director 
Hines Southwest Region

Hines is a privately owned 
global real estate investment, 
development and management 
firm, with a presence in 207 
cities in 24 countries.

24        Client Stories

Client Stories        25

“We try to take a company’s problem and  
find a solution that works for the customer  
and the bank. It can be a tricky balance  
but it’s one of our hallmarks.”  

Chris Burson / Senior Vice President,  
Commercial Real Estate Lending 
Alliance Bank of Arizona

Pictured left to right 
KC Kummerfeld / Vice President of Finance and Corporate Controller 
Neda Safarzadeh / Director, Head of Investor Relations/Public Relations/Marketing

Rising Star in RNA Medicines Finds 
Innovative Bankers in Their Space 

Arcturus Therapeutics is a very 
bright star on the biomedical horizon. 
The emerging company is poised 
to be a major player in RNA-based 
therapeutics, targeting individual genes 
to address rare diseases.  

While the San Diego-based company has more than 
150 patents in review, perhaps more importantly 
it already has strong partnerships with some 
of the biggest, multi-billion-dollar names in the 
pharmaceutical industry.

When Arcturus became public in late 2017, the 
finance team looked for a bank with the ability to 
support larger facilities over time. “It is important 
to us to be with a bank that can grow with us,” 
said Neda Safarzadeh, Director, Head of Investor 
Relations/Public Relations/Marketing. “We have a 
very big opportunity and it’s up to us to grasp it.” 

She added: “The people at Western Alliance’s  
Bridge Bank are very engaged and incredibly 
responsive. They keep up with us and understand 
our sector remarkably well.” 

We appreciated the very quick 
turn-around, the bank was 
right on it. They created a loan 
structure that was just right for 
us and it was fairly priced.”

KC

KC Kummerfeld / Vice President of Finance  
and Corporate Controller 
Arcturus Therapeutics

26        Client Stories

Client Stories        27

Foundation Gaming and 
Entertainment Brings Skills to  
the Game 

For Foundation Gaming and 
Entertainment, luck has nothing to  
do with it. Instead, the company’s  
edge is sound experience and  
sharp management.

Four of Foundation Gaming’s five top executives 
worked together at Isle of Capri Casinos, one of the 
original regional casino resort companies, during 
its most substantial growth period for nearly a 
decade starting in the mid-1990s, and the fifth 
partner is a seasoned gaming operator with both 
Las Vegas and regional market experience. In an 
inspired, “let’s get the band back together” move, 
the team created Foundation Gaming to put their 
years of expertise to work and continue their 
winning streak. 

Today the growing regional gaming company owns 
two thriving properties in Mississippi with plans for 
several more in other markets. 

Donn Mitchell, CFO of Foundation Gaming, was 
looking for more than an off-the-shelf financing 
solution when the group was exploring banking 
relationships. “Western Alliance’s Gaming group 
wants to be a partner, and they are. Our banker 
raises questions that add a lot of value to the 
process, which comes from his own experience in 
the industry. We’ve moved all of our accounts over 
to Western Alliance.” 

Client Stories        29

Pictured left to right
Donn Mitchell / Chief Financial Officer
Les McMackin / Chief Operations and Marketing Officer
Greg Guida / Co-Chief Executive Officer

28        Client Stories

Innovative Problem-solving  
with DreamBox Learning    

Here’s a challenging math problem:  
What can be done when only 33%  
of U.S. eighth-graders test proficient  
at math, per the U.S. Department  
of Education? One promising answer  
comes from DreamBox Learning. 

The Bellevue, WA, education technology leader is 
tackling this issue with its proven, intelligent adaptive 
learning™ platform. The company’s online, game-
like experience motivates K-8 students to persist, 
progress and achieve math success as they follow 
a personalized learning path based on their own 
understanding of math.  

Buoyed by a $130 million investment in 2018 from 
The Rise Fund, the world’s largest social impact 
investment fund, DreamBox Learning is on its way to 
becoming a powerful partner in classrooms across 
the globe. Already, the platform is used by 130,000 
teachers and more than three million students in every 
state in the U.S., as well as the District of Columbia, 
Mexico and throughout Canada.

Western Alliance’s Bridge Bank offers the growing 
tech company its own proven, problem-solving 
skillset. “Bridge met our innovative flair with financial 
innovation,” said Jessie Woolley-Wilson, President and 
CEO of DreamBox Learning. “They helped us see past 
impediments to possibilities. They understand what it 
means to be a banking partner.” 

Jessie Woolley-Wilson / President and Chief Executive Officer

30        Client Stories

Client Stories        31

Western Alliance’s Bank of Nevada is sensitive 
to physicians’ needs – our recruitment process, 
owning my own building, financing equipment, 
having a line of credit. Their knowledge of 
healthcare and my particular practice, as well 
as the larger economy, has helped me as an 
orthopedic surgeon successfully steer decision-
making for this business over many years.”

Andrew

Andrew J. Bronstein / M.D. 
Bronstein Hand Center

Dr. Bronstein, a four-year collegiate hockey player for 
UC Berkeley, is a hand, wrist and elbow specialist in 
Las Vegas whose clients include professional hockey 
players, musicians and even highly skilled acrobats.

“Because the majority of my team’s clients are in the medical field, 
we stay ahead of the curve on everything from insurance billing and 
reimbursements to policy changes for Medicare, Medicaid and more.  
We work hard to be a resource, and clients like Dr. Bronstein choose  
our bank and stay with us because of the added value we provide.”

Walter Hashimoto / Vice President, Senior Loan Officer 
Bank of Nevada 

32        Client Stories

Client Stories        33

Funding One of the Country’s  
Top Mortgage Companies     

The story of AmeriHome Mortgage is 
about building a company with the right 
people and the right ideas, at the right 
time. The team joined forces to launch 
a best-of-the-best mortgage operation 
in 2013 that has since grown into the 
fourth-largest mortgage correspondent 
lender in the U.S.

Driving AmeriHome’s success are powerful industry 
relationships combined with data systems built 
from scratch. Said CEO Jim Furash: “We started 
with 20 of the country’s most talented mortgage 
professionals and quickly worked to build our 
business to a level where we could optimize costs, 
customer service and profitability.” 

Today the company prices $1 billion in mortgages 
every day, or about a quarter of the U.S. market. 
While the Thousand Oaks, CA-based mortgage giant 
by necessity works with many money center banks, 
AmeriHome chooses Western Alliance’s Mortgage 
Warehouse Lending to fund its highly specialized 
MSR business. 

Western Alliance is very easy 
to work with. They understand 
our business and they get that 
not everything is a round peg in 
a round hole. They listen to us, 
and the bank delivers exactly 
what we need.”

Josh

Josh Adler / Chief Investment Officer 
AmeriHome Mortgage

Pictured left to right 
Josh Adler / Chief Investment Officer 
Jim Furash / Chief Executive Officer

Top 10

Founded in 2013 and a client of  
Western Alliance since 2014, 
AmeriHome Mortgage is a Top 10 U.S. 
mortgage lender in originations.*

*The Wall Street Journal, September 6, 2018  

34        Client Stories

Client Stories        35

Todd Theodora / President and Chief Executive Officer

Where Top Law Firms Turn  
for Wise (Banking) Counsel  

Widely known as “lawyer’s lawyers,” 
Theodora Oringher PC is a Southern 
California firm with more than 50 
attorneys, three offices and a litany of 
high-profile cases – all the way from a 
headline-grabbing D.C. political scandal 
to contentious naming rights for a 
professional baseball team. 

In 2018, when Theodora Oringher was planning to 
add 30 people, the firm’s leadership turned to their 
bankers at Western Alliance’s Torrey Pines Bank. 

Noted President and CEO Todd Theodora:  
“We’ve come to rely on Torrey Pines Bank to supply 
the capital and wise counsel we require to be 
successful. We were able to achieve significant 
short-term growth without missing a beat.”

36        Client Stories

Client Stories        37

Scott Carroll / Chief Financial Officer

Health Plan Rx: A New Bank

Community Health Group, a community-
based nonprofit health plan serving 
nearly 275,000 Medi-Cal and Medicare 
patients in San Diego County, relies 
on exceptional customer service to 
differentiate its brand. 

Believing that it should hold its bank to the same 
high standards, this customer-oriented company 
last year began searching for a banking resource 
with similar values.

According to CEO Norma Diaz, “Customer service 
and relationships are our claim to fame. So it makes 
sense that we would want a bank that has the same 
approach.” After many years of working with a large 
money center bank, the organization switched 
its significant treasury management accounts to 
Western Alliance’s Torrey Pines Bank.

Added CFO Scott Carroll, “We make thousands 
of payments every month for tens of millions of 
dollars, and Torrey Pines Bank is up to this task. 
Customer service is so important to us that it’s part 
of our decision-making. We feel everyone we work 
with should be doing business this way, and this 
bank has shown us excellent responsiveness.”

Norma Diaz / Chief Executive Officer

38        Client Stories

Client Stories        39

As stewards of the homes where 
Frank Lloyd Wright lived and 
educated young architects, we 
ask, ‘how do we extend Taliesin’s 
legacy and also sustain the larger 
community around us?’ A lot  
of banks talk about community. 
The degree of connection to 
community service with Western 
Alliance’s Alliance Bank is really 
important to us. We found a  
bank that feels and lives the same 
way we do.”

Stuart

Stuart Graff / President and Chief Executive Officer 
Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation

Taliesin West in Scottsdale was 
the winter home of iconic architect 
Frank Lloyd Wright and is a 
National Historic Landmark.

Frank Lloyd Wright photo courtesy of The Frank Lloyd Wright 
Foundation Archives (The Museum of Modern Art | Avery Architectural 
& Fine Arts Library, Columbia University, New York). All rights reserved.

Frank Lloyd Wright

Taliesin West, photo by Andrew Pielage

“Our experience in working with nonprofits 
led us to create customized products  
so that worthwhile organizations can put  
more of their resources toward their 
missions. It’s a tangible commitment to 
nonprofit businesses that goes beyond 
ordinary banking.”     

Kate Hickman / Senior Vice President,  
Treasury Management 
Alliance Bank of Arizona

40        Client Stories

Client Stories        41

Experience 
for Business

MORTGAGE WAREHOUSE LENDING 
Steve Curley / Division President 

How is customer service different at  
Western Alliance?  

Curley: What sets us apart is that we work hard 
for our customers every day. Our expert bankers 
make sure we’re delivering on what we promise 
during the sales process. Then we continue to 
innovate, adapt and augment what we’re doing 
because we are committed to constantly refining 
and improving so that our program fits hand in 
glove with each customer’s business.

SETTLEMENT SERVICES
Francesca Castagnola / Senior Vice President (right) 
Dana Rager / Vice President

What do Settlement Services clients know about 
your group?  

Castagnola: Our customers know that we will 
always work with the class members’ benefit 
in mind, just as they do. They know we will 
work with them to devise a set of products that 
work for them and that help build efficiencies 
for their teams. They know we are dedicated to 
personalized service and that they can count on 
our tremendous experience in the industry.

HOTEL FRANCHISE FINANCE
Barry Lieberman / Senior Vice President

Why do hotel developers and operators choose 
Western Alliance? 

Lieberman: Our team is exclusively dedicated to 
hotel finance. What that means is that everybody 
involved in the process – from the relationship 
manager to the underwriter, closer and portfolio 
manager – are all experts in the hospitality space 
and solely devoted to their industry. This is truly a 
differentiating factor for us.

GAMING
Philip Potamitis / Executive Vice President (right) 
Ashan Perera / Managing Director 

What do gaming clients value about the bank? 

Perera: Our clients value our team’s deep gaming 
industry expertise, along with our ability to 
tailor lending solutions and provide the full range 
of treasury management services to fit our 
customers’ needs. This expertise is a natural 
extension of our strengths in hospitality and hotel 
finance, as well our longstanding presence in 
Las Vegas. Even our Board of Directors brings us 
significant gaming industry credentials.

Over time our customers realize that we really are what we say we are: 
solutions-centric and entrepreneurial. That we do deliver tailored solutions. 
That we are always open to new ideas. They come to know that we listen 
so that we can enhance their business.”  

Steve

Steve Curley / Division President
Alliance Association Bank and Other Lending Divisions

42        Industry Expertise

Industry Expertise        43

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Involved  
for Business

Means Supporting Communities

Western Alliance people are passionate about improving the quality of life 
in our local communities. We support affordable housing, education, job 
creation, workforce development, arts and culture, and so much more. 

The bank’s concentrated efforts in small business lending create 
opportunity that adds economic vitality at every level. And we always 
dedicate resources, time and talent to high-impact community service 
organizations that help low- to moderate-income individuals.

2018 By the Numbers

$205.3
Million

10, 259

Hours

$1.2
Million

$133.6
Million

in new community  
development loans

in volunteer 
time

in community 
donations to 157 
organizations

in new community 
investments

Corporate Philanthropy  
Award for Community Impact 

The bank’s wide-ranging commitment to  
giving back to its communities earned the 
prestigious 2018 Corporate Philanthropy 
Award from the Phoenix Business Journal. The 
publication honored Alliance Bank of Arizona 
and Western Alliance for creating positive 
impacts across Arizona. In just one measure 
of our engagement, bankers hold leadership 
positions in 106 charitable and business 
organizations statewide. 

Green Our Planet 

Bank of Nevada teamed with the Green 
Our Planet conservation organization to 
bring nutrition, health and business skills to 
Title I schools in Las Vegas. As part of this 
“groundbreaking” garden program, students 
not only grow fresh produce to share with 
their families, but they also sell vegetables at 
a student-run farmers market, create business 
plans and manage money. In a first among 
Nevada financial institutions, Bank of Nevada 
earned the Community Commitment Award  
for Financial Education from the American 
Bankers Association Foundation for being part 
of this effective program.

Dollars and Sense

It’s just good sense for kids to understand how 
money works. That’s why Western Alliance 
devotes substantial funds and volunteer time 
to helping students from low- and moderate-
income families learn the basics of financial 
literacy. In 2018, our bankers volunteered  
nearly 2,300 hours to this important cause  
that has life-long positive impacts. 

44        Supporting Communities

Supporting Communities        45

Motivated 
for Business

The best way to describe our culture is entrepreneurial, just like the 
businesses we bank. Western Alliance is agile and client focused, with  
a structure that helps bankers move quickly for customers. 

This isn’t just a benefit for clients. It also helps us attract and retain the best 
bankers, who find a welcome environment for fresh ideas, access to senior 
management and the flexibility to do what’s right for our business customers 
and for the bank.  

We invest in the people, resources and expertise our clients count on  
with innovative programs – from demanding college internships  
and comprehensive management training to engaging professional 
development opportunities, including the growing WAL Women’s Alliance. 
Working at – and with – Western Alliance is all about possibilities. 

“I have the flexibility and freedom to do  
what’s best for my clients – allowing me to  
be a proactive professional – and this is  
very empowering. We are part of our clients’ 
success, and they are appreciative that we  
help them find solutions so they can achieve 
their goals.”

Anca Bec / Vice President, Loan Officer 
Alliance Bank of Arizona 

46        Working at WAB
46        Working at WAL

Working at WAB        47

Leading for Business

Board of Directors

Executive Leadership

Robert Sarver
Executive Chairman of the Board 
Western Alliance Bank 

Robert Latta
Partner
Wilson, Sonsini, Goodrich & Rosati

Strategic. Seasoned. And focused on putting the needs of clients 
first. Western Alliance Bank executives lead by delivering on  
the bank’s values of accountability, opportunity and innovation so 
bankers have the resources they need to perform for customers.

Front row from left
Jim Haught 
Kenneth Vecchione 
Dale Gibbons

Back row from left
Tim Bruckner
Robert McAuslan 
Barbara Kennedy 
Randall Theisen 

Kenneth Vecchione
Chief Executive Officer 
Western Alliance Bank

Bruce Beach
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer 
BeachFleischman PC

William Boyd 
Director Emeritus

Executive Chairman of the Board
Boyd Gaming Corporation

Todd Marshall
Chairman of the Board
Marshall Retail Group

Adriane C. McFetridge 
2019 Director nominee

Director of Engineering –  
Subscription Platform
Netflix

James Nave, DVM
Owner
Tropicana Animal Hospital

Howard Gould
Managing Partner
Carpenter Community Bancfund

Michael Patriarca
Retired Managing Director 
Promontory Financial Group

Steven Hilton 
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Meritage Homes Corporation

Donald Snyder
Community Leader and  
Retired Business Executive

Marianne Boyd Johnson
Executive Vice President and  
Vice Chairman of the Board
Boyd Gaming Corporation

Sung Won Sohn, PhD
M.V. Smith Professor of Business  
and Economics
California State University CI 

48        Board of Directors

Executive Leadership        49

Access for Business

Western Alliance Bank
1 E. Washington St., Ste. 1400 
Phoenix, AZ 85004 
(602) 389-3500 

Green Valley
2890 N. Green Valley Pkwy. 
Henderson, NV 89014 
(702) 451-0624

Hualapai
1115 S. Hualapai Way 
Las Vegas, NV 89117 
(702) 856-7100

San Francisco
201 Spear St., Ste. 1700
San Francisco, CA 94105
(415) 230-4834

San Francisco 
201 Montgomery St.
San Francisco, CA 94104
(628) 221-6630

La Mesa
8379 Center Dr.
La Mesa, CA 91942 
(619) 233-2555

Symphony Towers
750 B St., Ste. 100 
San Diego, CA 92101 
(619) 233-2200

Lake Mead
7251 W. Lake Mead, Ste. 108 
Las Vegas, NV 89128 
(702) 240-1734

Seattle
855 South King St., Ste. 800
Seattle, WA 98104
(253) 222-2405

Alliance Association Bank
3033 W. Ray Rd., Ste. 200
Chandler, AZ 85226
(888) 734-4567

Alliance Bank of Arizona
CityScape
1 E. Washington St., Ste. 100
Phoenix, AZ 85004 
(602) 629-1776

Biltmore
2701 E. Camelback Rd., Ste. 110 
Phoenix, AZ 85016
(602) 952-5400 

Chandler
3033 W. Ray Rd. 
Chandler, AZ 85226
(480) 384-3800

Flagstaff
501 E. Butler Ave.
Flagstaff, AZ 86001
(928) 214-3400

Gilbert
1907 E. Pecos Rd. 
Gilbert, AZ 85295 
(480) 867-4800

Mesa
1110 E. Baseline Rd. 
Mesa, AZ 85204 
(480) 609-2900

Mesquite
11 Pioneer Blvd.
Mesquite, NV 89027 
(702) 346-6600

Siena Heights
10199 S. Eastern Ave. 
Henderson, NV 89052 
(702) 940-8500

Bridge Bank
San Jose
55 Almaden Blvd., Ste. 100
San Jose, CA 95113
(408) 423-8500 

First Independent Bank
Kietzke
5335 Kietzke Ln. 
Reno, NV 89511 
(775) 828-2000 

Carson City
1818 E. College Pkwy.
Carson City, NV 89706 
(775) 682-4747

Fallon
2061 W. Williams Ave. 
Fallon, NV 89406 
(775) 423-9586

Atlanta
6 Concourse Pkwy., Ste. 2130
Atlanta, GA 30328
(470) 639-1656

Robb Drive
6290 Sharlands Ave. 
Reno, NV 89523 
(775) 746-3000

Phoenix Plaza
2901 N. Central Ave., Ste. 100 
Phoenix, AZ 85012 
(602) 629-1700

Boston
28 State St., Ste. 2301
Boston, MA 02109
(617) 995-1310

Scottsdale/Paradise Valley
6263 N. Scottsdale Rd., Ste. 100 
Scottsdale, AZ 85250
(480) 998-6500

Costa Mesa
600 Anton Blvd., Ste. 150
Costa Mesa, CA 92626 
(949) 438-4000

Sparks Industrial
980 S. McCarran Blvd. 
Sparks, NV 89431 
(775) 358-1300

Sparks Marina
725 Sparks Blvd. 
Sparks, NV 89434 
(775) 358-8400

Tucson Swan
4703 E. Camp Lowell Dr. 
Tucson, AZ 85712 
(520) 784-6000

Tucson Williams Centre
200 S. Craycroft Rd. 
Tucson, AZ 85711 
(520) 322-7700

Bank of Nevada
Sahara
2700 W. Sahara Ave. 
Las Vegas, NV 89102 
(702) 248-4200 

Aliante
6915 Aliante Pkwy.
North Las Vegas, NV 89084 
(702) 856-7140

Centennial Hills
8505 W. Centennial Pkwy. 
Las Vegas, NV 89149 
(702) 856-7160

Durango
3985 S. Durango Dr. 
Las Vegas, NV 89147 
(702) 363-5140

Grand Central Parkway
100 City Pkwy., Ste. 120 
Las Vegas, NV 89106 
(702) 696-6700

Durham
105 S. Mangum St., Ste. 200
Durham, NC 27701
(984) 260-3964

Menlo Park 
2735 Sand Hill Rd., Ste. 210  
Menlo Park, CA 94025 
(650) 276-7670

New York 
420 Lexington Ave., Ste. 300 
New York, NY 10170
(212) 931-8945

Oakland
1951 Webster St.
Oakland, CA 94612 
(510) 899-7500

Pleasanton 
5820 Stoneridge Mall Rd., Ste. 100
Pleasanton, CA 94588
(925) 249-4900

Reston
12011 Sunset Hills Rd., Ste. 425
Reston, VA 20190
(703) 481-1705

San Diego
4370 La Jolla Village Dr., Ste. 305
San Diego, CA 92122
(858) 523-4686

Torrey Pines Bank
Carmel Valley
12220 El Camino Real, Ste. 110 
San Diego, CA 92130 
(858) 523-4630

Beverly Hills
9355 Wilshire Blvd., Ste. 102
Beverly Hills, CA 90210 
(310) 623-8900

Carlsbad
2760 Gateway Rd. 
Carlsbad, CA 92009 
(760) 444-8400

Downtown Los Angeles
601 W. 5th St., Ste. 100 
Los Angeles, CA 90071 
(213) 362-5200

Downtown San Diego
550 W. C St., Ste. 100 
San Diego, CA 92101 
(619) 233-2500

Golden Triangle
4350 Executive Dr., Ste. 130 
San Diego, CA 92121 
(858) 523-4688

Kearny Mesa
9280 Clairemont Mesa Blvd.
San Diego, CA 92123 
(858) 259-5300

Business Escrow Services
2901 N. Central Ave., Ste. 100
Phoenix, Arizona 85012
(602) 629-1701

Corporate Finance
4640 Admiralty Way, Ste. 500 
Marina Del Rey, CA 90292
(213) 362-5213

Equity Fund Resources
2735 Sand Hill Rd., Ste. 210
Menlo Park, CA  94025
(650) 276-7670

Hotel Franchise Finance
1 E. Washington St., Ste. 1400
Phoenix, AZ 85004
(602) 346-7494

Life Sciences Group
4370 La Jolla Village Dr., Ste. 305
San Diego, CA 92122
(858) 523-4686

Mortgage Warehouse Lending
3033 W. Ray Rd., 1st Floor
Chandler, AZ 85226
(480) 384-3990

Public and Nonprofit Finance
1 E. Washington St., Ste. 1400 
Phoenix, AZ 85004 
(602) 389-3500

Renewable Resource Group
55 Almaden Blvd., Ste. 100
San Jose, CA 95113
(408) 606-4846

Resort Finance
1 E. Washington St., Ste. 1400
Phoenix, AZ 85004 
(602) 386-2315

Settlement Services
750 B St., Ste. 1960
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 233-2250

Technology Finance
55 Almaden Blvd., Ste. 100
San Jose, CA 95113
(650) 462-8502

50        Where to Find Us

Where to Find Us        51

View Full Report 
and Video Online
walannualreport.com

Annual Report 2018One East Washington Street, Suite 1400 
Phoenix, Arizona 85004
(602) 389-3500  |  westernalliancebank.com

Alliance Association Bank, Alliance Bank of Arizona, Bank of Nevada, Bridge Bank, First Independent Bank and Torrey Pines Bank are divisions of Western Alliance Bank. 
Member FDIC. Western Alliance Bank is the primary subsidiary of Western Alliance Bancorporation. ©2018 Western Alliance Bancorporation