Santa Clara Valley Bank announced Tuesday that Cheryl L. Knight has been appointed President and Chief Executive Officer. Ms. Knight previously served the Bank as Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, and Chief Credit Officer. She has been a Ventura resident for over 13 years. Ms. Knight has served for 8 years as a Director for California Reinvestment Corporation, a non-profit dedicated to financing low to moderate income housing in the area.

Ms. Knight has previously held the titles of Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Officer at Montecito Bank and Trust, as well as EVP/Chief Risk Officer for First California Bank. She has held several other management positions at other financial institutions including Union Bank and Wells Fargo. Ms. Knight was also employed by Deloitte & Touche as a financial management consultant.

As a senior officer of Montecito Bank and Trust for nine years, Ms. Knight led the credit function of the $750 million bank that has performed at a high level, assisting in the achievement of a rating of Super Premier Performing Bank by Findley Reports.

Chairman of the Board Ralph De Leon stated, “We are delighted that Ms. Knight has accepted the appointment and are looking forward to a successful future under her very able leadership.”

SCV Bank is headquartered in Santa Paula. It operates three branch offices, one each in Santa Paula, Fillmore, and on Citrus Street in Valencia. It is unrelated to the Valencia-based Bank of Santa Clarita.