Ojai Community Bank opens South Coast outpost
Santa Barbara’s newest banking office opened its doors quietly on Oct. 22.
Eloy Ortega, former Santa Barbara Region Chamber of Commerce President Steve Cushman and businessman Early Armstrong were on hand for the opening of Santa Barbara Community Bank, a unit of Ojai Community Bank, based in Ventura County. The bank is located on East Carrillo Street in a suite of offices formerly occupied by the law firm Brownstein Hyatt Farber & Schreck.
Ortega, a veteran of Santa Barbara’s recently tumultuous banking game, said the bank will focus on loans to small- and medium-sized businesses for operating capital as well as real estate. The bank offers a suite of deposit services alongside some consumer lending. Ojai Community bank has several offices in Ventura County and assets of about $150 million.
