(March 19, 2025) – Santa Barbara, CA – American Riviera Bank is pleased to announce the hiring of Justin Vanderlinden as Vice President and Commercial Lending Officer at the Santa Maria Commercial Banking Center, and Saigeeta Patel to Senior Service Manager at the San Luis Obispo branch. These strategic changes reflect the Bank’s commitment to delivering exceptional financial services and personalized client care in the Central Coast region.
Bringing nearly 30 years of diverse banking experience, Justin Vanderlinden joins American Riviera Bank as Vice President and Commercial Lending Officer. Throughout his career, Mr. Vanderlinden has held various roles in banking operations and lending, primarily serving the San Luis Obispo and northern Santa Barbara Counties.
Mr. Vanderlinden’s dedication to providing exceptional customer and community service is evident through his role as Board Treasurer for Meals that Connect and his participation in the Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce's Ambassador Committee. He earned his degree from the University of Phoenix and most recently completed the prestigious Pacific Coast Banking School program at the University of Washington.
ARB’s Chief Operating Officer, Joanne Funari, shares, “We are excited to have Justin be a part of the ARB team. He has a proven track record of developing innovative lending solutions and deep understanding of our market. His experience enhances our ability to meet the evolving needs of our business customers while maintaining our commitment to personalized financial partnerships."
We are delighted to welcome Saigeeta Patel to the American Riviera Bank family as our new Senior Service Manager at the San Luis Obispo branch. A long-time resident of San Luis Obispo, she brings a deep understanding of the local community alongside her extensive banking expertise. Ms. Patel’s passion for relationship-building and client satisfaction is at the core of her work.
She brings valuable experience to our team, and we look forward to the positive impact she will make in serving our community.
“With over 20 years of local expertise and a profound commitment to building client relationships, Saigeeta's financial acumen and passion for helping people make her an invaluable asset to our team and community.” said Steven Harding, Executive Vice President of American Riviera Bank.
American Riviera Bank remains committed to fostering meaningful relationships and delivering personalized financial solutions. With these leadership updates, the Bank continues to strengthen its position as a trusted partner in the community.
