Mr. Colella has over 20 years of Southern California banking experience with extensive knowledge of credit origination and business banking, and an additional 10+ years of banking regulatory oversight experience. Chris oversees all credit administration functions, including developing credit offerings, establishing lending standards and guidelines, supervising loan underwriting activities, overseeing loan documentation and servicing functions, and ensuring compliance with lending-related governing regulations.  

Mr. Colella joined Commercial Bank of California in October 2013, following his employment with Wedbush Bank, Los Angeles, Calif., where he very favorably served a similar role for three years commencing in October 2010.  Likewise, Mr. Colella was the founding EVP/Chief Credit Officer of a newly-formed  (“de novo”) bank – Americas United Bank, Glendale, Calif. - from its inception in 2006 until October 2010. Prior to this time, Christopher Colella was tasked with the same credit administration leadership role with Cedars Bank, Los Angeles, Calif., where he worked from November 1998 through its notably rewarding sale in January 2006. After over 10 years of dedicated service, Mr. Colella discontinued his employment with the FDIC, Division of Supervision, as a Supervisory Examiner in the Los Angeles West Field Office, to pursue a private-sector banking career.

Christopher Colella earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration in 1987 at Arizona State University, Tempe, Ariz., whereupon he graduated with highest academic recognition (Summa Cum Laude). In August 2003, Mr. Colella completed a graduate-level educational program with Pacific Coast Banking School, Seattle Wash., wherein he graduated with honors and then returned to serve as an Associated Director for the following August 2004 session.