Bank of the West

Bank of the West was established in 1874 as The First National Bank of San Jose, California. Over the years, it underwent a series of acquisitions and name changes that significantly expanded its footprint. In 1979, the institution was rebranded as Bank of the West after changing its chartering agency to the state and withdrawing from the Federal Reserve System. The bank continued its growth through various acquisitions, including Union Safe Deposit Bank in 2005 and Commercial Federal Bank, a Federal Savings Bank in Omaha, Nebraska. In 2023, Bank of the West merged with BMO Harris Bank National Association, based in Chicago, Illinois, leading to the official name change to BMO Bank National Association on September 3, 2023. Throughout its history, the bank has played a significant role in the regional banking landscape, adapting to changes and expanding its services through strategic mergers and acquisitions.

Below is a list of some important events in banks history, including mergers and acquisitions.

1874-01-01Institution established. Original name: The First National Bank of San Jose.

1972-05-01Participated In Absorbtion/Consolidation/Merger

1972-05-01Main Office moved to First And Santa Clara Streets, San Jose, CA 95108.

1974-07-31Acquired Hayward National Bank in Hayward, CA.

1979-01-02Institution withdraws from membership in the Federal Reserve System.

1979-01-02Changed Chartering Agency to State.

1979-01-02Changed Institution Name to Bank of the West.

1980-03-18Main Office moved to 180 Montgomery Street, San Francisco, CA 94126.

1980-03-18Acquired French Bank of California in San Francisco, CA.

1987-07-23Acquired Bank of Los Gatos, National Association in Los Gatos, CA.

1990-05-21Acquired Central Bank in San Francisco, CA.

1992-04-10Acquired Atlantic Financial Federal Savings Bank in San Francisco, CA as part of a government assisted merger.

1996-04-29Acquired Northbay Savings Bank, Fsb in Petaluma, CA.

1998-11-01Acquired Pacific One Bank in Portland, OR.

1999-07-01Acquired SierraWest Bank in Truckee, CA.

2001-02-16Acquired First Security Bank of New Mexico, National Association in Albuquerque, NM.

2002-04-01Acquired United California Bank in Los Angeles, CA.

2004-12-03Acquired Community First National Bank in Fargo, ND.

2005-02-08Acquired Union Safe Deposit Bank in Stockton, CA.

2005-12-03Acquired Commercial Federal Bank, a Federal Savings Bank in Omaha, NE.

2023-02-02Merged and became part of Bmo Harris Bank National Association (16571) in Chicago, IL.

2023-09-03Changed Institution Name to Bmo Bank National Association.