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City National Bank company history timeline

1954

In 1954, City National Bank breaks ground on its first permanent office at 400 North Roxbury Drive in Beverly Hills.

The bank was founded in 1954 by Alfred S. Hart.

1955

In 1955, Alfred “Al” Hart becomes the first president of City National Bank.

1959

In 1959, City National opens its Sunset Doheny office on Sunset Boulevard.

1962

In 1962, a small blue ladder is installed at the head office to help children accompanying their parents reach the teller window.

President Al Hart (left) hosts a star-studded grand opening including guests Rita Moreno (center) and Leslie Parrish (right). In 1962, City National reports that of its 342 employees, 208 are women.

1963

In 1963, when Frank Sinatra’s son was kidnapped, the bank put up the $240,000 demanded as ransom money.

1964

City National Bank was formerly known as City National Bank of Beverly Hills and changed its name to City National Bank in February 1964.

1967

In 1967, the bank officially opens a newly constructed 26-story tower at Pershing Square in Los Angeles, built by Bram Goldsmith and the Buckeye Construction Company.

1968

The company was founded in 1968 and is headquartered in Los Angeles, CA.“

1970

In 1970, City National stock is traded over-the-counter for the first time at $19.25 per share.

In 1970 its stock began trading over the counter.

1974

In 1974, Curtis Palmer succeeds Al Hart as chairman of City National Bank and president of City National Corporation.

1975

In 1975, Bram Goldsmith (seated, left) is named chairman of the board and CEO of City National Bank.

1978

In 1978, the bank’s total assets exceed $1 billion for the first time and commercial loans represent more than 60 percent of all lending activity.

1980

In 1980, the bank champions corporate philanthropy by giving $10 million in funding and loans to the City of Los Angeles’ Neighborhood Business Revitalization Program.

1989

In 1989, City National joins forces with 45 other banks to develop a $100 million loan pool for financing low and moderate income family housing—creating the California Community Reinvestment Corporation.

1990

In 1990, City National bank offers advertisements in Korean, an acknowledgement of California’s growing Korean population.

1995

In 1995, Russell Goldsmith succeeds his father as company chairman and CEO.

1998

In 1998, the bank’s trust and investment assets under administration surpass $10 billion for the first time.

2002

In 2002, in support of the communities it serves, City National launches its Reading is The way up® literacy program.

In 2002, City National opened an office in New York City to serve its California-based clientele who do business on both coasts, as well as prospective clients in Manhattan.

2004

Its offices were in Beverly Hills at 400 North Roxbury Drive until 2004 when its headquarters were relocated to Arco Plaza (later City National Plaza) in Los Angeles.

2009

Since he joined the bank in 2009, Mr.

2010

In 2010, Caja Madrid merged with several other Spanish savings banks to form Bankia.

It then acquired two more banks in 2010: 1st Pacific Bank and Sun West Bank.

2011

In 2011, the bank broadens its entertainment banking presence with offices in Nashville and Atlanta.

In mid-2011, the bank opened a branch in Nashville, Tennessee.

2012

Due to hardships experienced in Spain, Bankia was forced to sell off its assets in 2012, which included City National Bank.

In 2012, it acquired Rochdale Investment Management and First American Equipment Finance.

2017

On April 11, 2017, City National opened its first full-service branch at RBC Plaza in Minneapolis, in conjunction with RBC Wealth Management.

In 2017, CNB launched a subsidiary offering expertise for equipment finance and leasing.

2020

In March 2020, City National launches a redesigned mobile app, one of the bank’s most notable capital projects to date.

In August 2020, City National expands its nationwide footprint with locations in Tysons, VA and Buckhead, GA.

Gonzalez’s leadership, the bank has grown from $3.5 billion in tangible assets to $19.4 billion in 2020, and from 20 banking locations to 32.

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Founded
1953
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Alfred Hart
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City National Bank competitors

Company nameFounded dateRevenueEmployee sizeJob openings
Citi1812$74.3B210,0002,810
Wintrust Financial1991$29.9M5,057217
Morgan Stanley1935$3.0B68,097836
Legg Mason1899$2.9B3,059-
Ally Financial1919$6.4B8,7005
Bank of the West1874$2.8B9,261-
City Bank & Trust1933$13.3M75-
Commercial Bank1976$13.0M5226
Bank of America1998$85.5B200,0006,228
M&T Bank1856$499.3M16,8401,223

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