West Valley National Bank is the West Valley's first locally owned and operated community bank. Founded by local business leaders, the Bank fills a much needed niche. For too long, the West Valley was served only by large institutions led by out of state ownership and management. We want to help local businesses control their own destiny by providing exceptional financial services delivered by local residents. Read More


Senior Management

Senior Management

Candace D. WiestCandace D. Wiest - President/CEO

Ms. Wiest was the President of Inland Empire National Bank from 1993 to 2006. She was the seventh President in the Bank’s nine year history when she accepted the post. When she became President, the bank had classified loans (problem loans) equal to 300% of its capital, and had posted a $2.7 million dollar operating loss. Today, Inland Empire National Bank is a financially successful and well respected community bank that ranks favorably within its peer group. Ms. Wiest was the first woman ever elected as a Class A Director of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco for a three year term beginning in 2003. She was re-elected for a second term in 2006. She has served on the FRBSF Audit Committee from 2003 to 2006. Currently Ms. Wiest serves on the Fed's Bank Performance Committee and is Chair of the Public Information Committee. Ms. Wiest has received numerous awards and community recognition.

Karen HartKaren Hart - Chief Financial Officer

Karen Hart joined WVNB in December 2006 with over twenty years of banking experience in Nebraska, California and Arizona. As Chief Financial Officer, she oversees operations, finance, information technology and risk management. She began her career with Occidental Savings Bank in Wayne, Nebraska as a customer service representative. In 1990 she joined Farmers and Merchants State Bank and during her tenure received promotions to Assistant Cashier and Cashier/Assistant Vice President. Her responsibilities included compliance, security, cash management, operations and accounting. In 1998 she joined First State Bank, a de novo bank located in Flagstaff, Arizona, as Assistant Vice President/Cashier. In 2001 she was promoted to Vice President/Chief Financial Officer, with a subsequent promotion to Senior Vice President in 2005. Her responsibilities included oversight of operations, finance and information technology departments. She left First State bank in 2006 to join another de novo bank, River Valley Community Bank located in Yuba City, California. In addition to her previous duties, she was responsible for risk management, compliance and policy development. Hart graduated from the Advanced School of Banking in Kearney, Nebraska in June of 1998 and the Graduate School of Banking in Boulder, Colorado, with honors, in 2002.

Gregory RyanGregory Ryan - Executive Vice President

Gregory Ryan joined WVNB in June 2007 with nearly 35 years of banking experience primarily in the Phoenix-Metro area. As Executive Vice President, he oversees business development at all locations. Prior to joining WVNB, Ryan served as Chief Credit Officer for 10 years, most recently with Towne Bank of Arizona in Mesa for the last 3 years. During that time, more than $350 million of loan commitments were funded and the bank experienced no bank-funded credit losses. Ryan's previous positions have included that of Credit Administrator, Department Head and Senior Lender. He spent almost 2 years with the RTC leading a department that was responsible for the dissolution of assets for a failed savings and loan association. Ryan attended Arizona State University and majored in finance and has completed numerous banking courses during his career.

Tom Lilly - Chief Credit Officer

Tom Lilly joins WVNB with over 22 years of banking experience in Wisconsin. As Chief Credit Officer, Tom is responsible for overseeing credit administration, underwriting, loan operations and risk management. He began his career with State Financial Bank in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, as Assistant Vice President. During his twenty year tenure, he held various leadership positions including Senior Vice President of Commercial Lending and Retail Banking, President of Wisconsin South Region and Senior Vice President and Chief Credit Officer. In 2006, Lilly joined Tri City National Bank in Milwaukee, Wisconsin where he served as Senior Vice President and spearheaded commercial lending and business development and was instrumental in increasing overall bank loan growth. Lilly attended the University of Wisconsin's Graduate School of Banking, Commercial Lending School in Norman, Oklahoma and University of Wisconsin's Consumer Lending School.