ProAmerica Bank Elects New Director -- Carlton J. Jenkins
LOS ANGELES, CA--(Marketwired - Jul 29, 2013) - ProAmérica Bank (OTCQB: PMRA) announced that Carlton J. Jenkins was elected to the Board of Directors. The entire ProAmérica Bank family welcomes Carlton Jenkins and is pleased to have the benefit of his extensive expertise to help position ProAmérica as a premier small business bank for Los Angeles.
With a longstanding involvement in and knowledge of Los Angeles, Jenkins' experience will be invaluable in helping PROAMÉRICA deepen its roots in the local community. He comes to the board as a past Founder, Chairman, President and CEO of Founders National Bank in Los Angeles. At the time of its opening in the early 90's, Founders was the only African-American owned commercial bank west of the Mississippi River. His savvy in building a successful minority-owned bank and demonstrated skill at crafting "win-win" strategic alliances while at Founders, will be a critical asset to ProAmérica.
"Carlton brings with him a rounded background that includes an in-depth knowledge of the inner workings of Los Angeles, a keen sensitivity to the market and practical business banking experience. His skill in building partnerships and key relationships, coupled with a long history of active involvement with non-profits and businesses will serve ProAmérica well," remarked Chairwoman Maria Contreras-Sweet. "Additionally, his involvement as a trustee of the National Community Investment Fund, a national nonprofit investor in minority and urban market-based financial institutions, will also be invaluable as we continue to expand our role as one of the few CDFI Los Angeles-based depository institutions."
Since 2000, Mr. Jenkins has been a Partner at The Yucaipa Companies, a Los Angeles-based investment firm. He shares responsibility for the development and management of the firm's strategies created to support its industry leading investment activity in "underserved," rural, urban and ethnic communities both in California and nationally. He also serves on the National Diversity Advisory Council at EY and is a member of the Board of Directors at ConnXus.com, an internet-based service that connects diverse, small businesses with Fortune 500/1000 companies looking to diversify their supplier base.
"Los Angeles offers the ideal location for a bank that understands the needs of an extremely viable and fast-growing Latin business community," remarked Jenkins. "ProAmérica Bank is poised to fill the gap and increase the vitality and strength of small businesses in Los Angeles. I look forward to working with my fellow board members to grow ProAmérica into the banking gateway to small business in Los Angeles."
Jenkins attended Dartmouth College and completed the Executive Management Program at UCLA, as well the Minority Business Executive Program at the Amos Tuck School of Business. He serves and has served on a number of corporate, public and non-profit boards, including the California State Board of Education, Dryades Savings Bank, Hawthorne Savings, F.S.B., Fred Meyer Inc., The Kroger Co. and US Micro Corp.
About ProAmérica Bank
ProAmérica Bank provides a full range of financial services, including credit and deposit products, SBA loan products, cash management, and internet banking for businesses, professionals, nonprofits and high net worth individuals from its headquarters office at 888 West Sixth Street, Second Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90017-2728. Information on products and services may be obtained by calling (213) 613-5000 or visiting the Bank's website at www.PROAMERICABANK.com.
