How Women Can Move Up in Banking

Krista Snelling, Santa Cruz County Bank CEO, discusses her professional journey, how women can promote themselves, and the pending purchase of a neighboring bank

Hello again, Bank Slaters!

How’s life treating you? I am in the midst of a working vacation — it is always interesting trying to achieve a work-life balance. And it always seems you do more work in the weeks before (and after) you take some time off.

Let’s talk about Krista Snelling.

I met Krista at Acquire or Be Acquired after she appeared on a panel discussion about trends and experiences for women in banking. She’s a very energetic person so I was excited that she agreed to record a podcast.

Krista has been president and CEO of West Coast Community Bancorp in Santa Cruz, Calif., and its Santa Cruz County Bank, since March 2021. Before that, she was COO and CFO at Five Star Bank. Her bank is in growth mode, agreeing in May to buy 1st Capital Bancorp in Salinas, Calif. The goal is to secure all necessary approvals in September and close the deal by yearend.