City National – “Conservatively run, not necessarily a bad thing - offer opportunities to gain wide breadth of experience.”

Pros

On the smaller side, so you get to wear a lot of hats, which allows for good skill sets development. Very solid bank with a good focus on the right markets.

Cons

Pay is below market standars for all jobs, but Sales. Company can be too conservative and focused on this year's stock price vs. taking some risk in investment toward the future. This is getting better, but still needs improvement. Very political like all banks. Have to work relationships to get ahead more so than being kick*** at your job.

Advice to Senior Management

Invest more in people by adding leadership development programs, better basic trainig programs, etc. In other words, grow the caliber of your people not only by giving them good opportunities for experience, but specific skills and knowledge to maximize each opportunity. Groom employees for management, create a management or leadership track so people feel like they are working towards something. Don't limit leadership programs by title since title levels are not equivalent or a good gauge of leadership bank wide.