River City Bank's President and CEO Steve Fleming announced the restructure of the bank's risk management department, which will be implemented Nov. 1. The reorganization will create a completely independent internal audit department, implementing best practices to ensure the highest levels of risk mitigation and compliance. River City Bank believes that a proactive approach to risk management is a priority and these initiatives reinforce the company's commitment to the financial security of its customers.
Pat McHone has been appointed to the newly created role of Chief Risk Officer (CRO). Reporting to the CRO will be the Credit, Compliance and Information Security Departments. In addition to providing ongoing executive oversight of the three groups noted above, McHone will be responsible for Business Continuity Planning, Vendor Management and Policy Administration.
As the Bank's Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Officer, McHone has been an integral member of River City Bank's Executive Team since 2008. With close to 40 years of experience, his banking career includes 16 years as Senior Vice President and Region Manager at Mechanics Bank and seven years at Security Pacific Bank.
Ken Imwinkelried, currently the Bank's Senior Vice President and Senior Credit Manager, will be promoted to Chief Credit Officer and will report to the Chief Risk Officer. As the new CCO, Imwinkelried is responsible for all aspects of the loan approval process, credit quality, and management of the Bank's portfolio of commercial real estate, commercial and industrial, and consumer loans. He will join the Bank's Executive Team, Asset Liability Committee, Pricing Committee and Loan Committee.
Imwinkelried first joined River City Bank in 2010 through its Commercial Banking Associate training program. Throughout his career at the Bank, he has advanced through a broad range of credit analysis, underwriting, and management positions.
Jeremy Spencer has been named as Director of Internal Audit and Regulatory Relations (DIA). The DIA will maintain a direct reporting line to the Audit Committee with an administrative reporting to the CEO. In addition to managing all in-house and outsourced audits, Spencer is the Bank's liaison to regulatory agencies.
Spencer joined River City Bank in 2011 and is currently the Senior Vice President and Director of Risk Management. Prior to joining the Bank, he was a Senior Manager with KPMG LLP U.S., where he spent five years providing audit services, Sox404 compliance consulting, and SEC reporting services to clients in the financial services industry.
"Our primary focus has always been the safety and security of our customers' assets and information," said Fleming. "By identifying, evaluating and mitigating risk, we reinforce our commitment to providing a secure and trustworthy banking environment. This Risk Management Department will provide guidance to the Bank's entire executive team and board of directors to ensure our risk management practices align with the best industry practices and regulatory guidelines."