Our History

 

To fuel grow vibrant and prosperous communities

Our Vision

Mission Bank is the best business bank in California.  Our brand represents the highest quality people and service.  Business owners, organizational leaders, and professionals desire to bank with us because of our reputation.

Mission Bank's History

Mission Bank was formed when a group of Bakersfield business leaders imagined a bank that could better serve local business needs. Led by a board with a clear vision for the future, Mission Bank opened for business on October 7, 1998 with $5 million in capital and by April 1999 was reporting positive earnings.   

Fueled by a growth mindset, Mission expanded across California, from as far south as Lancaster to the Central Coast and beyond, bringing its unique relationship-driven business model to small and medium sized business owners and the communities they serve.  In 2020, as the COVID 19 pandemic gripped the nation, Mission Bank approved $95 million in PPP loans to 416 businesses impacting an estimated 9,500 jobs. By June 30, 2020, Mission surpassed $1 billion in assets.  In 2026 Mission Bank sits at approximately $2 billion in assets with nine locations across five counties.

Since 2006 Mission Bank has been honored to receive such designations as “Super Premier Performance” year over year by Findley Reports, year over year BauerFinancial “Five Star” ratings, American Banker Magazine’s “Top Performing Business Banks Under $2 Billion in Assets” for 2023, 2024 and 2025, and Newsweek’s “America’s Best Regional Banks and Credit Unions 2025.”

A Timeline for Expansion

Bakersfield, October 1998 – Mission Bank opens its first locations serving business owners in Bakersfield and Kern County. 

Shafter, June 2006 – Mission expands to Shafter to better serve the needs of business owners in northwest Kern County.  The Shafter Business Banking Center provides greater convenience to existing customers and deepens our relationship with the community.

Mission Bank 1031 Exchange, August 2007 – In an effort to provide services for business and property owners, Mission Bank 1031 Exchange is formed to facilitate Section 1031 property exchange transactions for our customers and the community at large.

Mojave Desert Bank Merger, Jan 2013 – The move expands Mission’s presence into the Lancaster/Palmdale area. Our focus during the merger is “One bank, one team, one Mission”.

Bakersfield Riverwalk Business Banking Center, August 2014 – Mission Bank expands to the west side of Bakersfield opening the Riverwalk location under its new Business Banking Center (BBC) model.  Forgoing teller lines and the traditional footprint of bank branches, the new Mission Bank BBC focuses on deepening relationships with customers while offering access to highly knowledgeable and specialized Business Bankers and Relationship Managers.

Ventura, October 2017 – Marking Mission’s first expansion outside of Kern County, the Ventura Business Banking Center opens to further serve the needs of existing customers while expanding our footprint in Ventura.

San Luis Obispo, October 2020 - Mission Bank continues to expand operations on the California coast opening a Business Banking Center in San Luis Obispo.

Visalia, March 2023 – Mission Bank expands north to Visalia serving the customers of Tulare, Kings, and Fresno Counties.

Westlake Village, July 2025 – The success of the Ventura BBC calls for a larger service footprint in the county.  A new location in Westlake Village begins as a production office and moves to a full-fledged BBC in June 2026.

North San Luis Obispo County, Jan 2026 – Mission Bank brings on a veteran lending team in the North San Luis Obispo area.  The Templeton based team of four focuses on Ag and Commercial relationships in North San Luis Obispo County.