Smith to lead BofA

Thursday, March 21, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.

SUN STAFF REPORTS

A vice president and head of Bank of America Nevada's Commercial Lending Division will become president of the bank following Richard Etter's retirement May 1.

The appointment of George Smith, 38, a 15-year veteran of the banking industry, was announced by Dave Hanna, manager of Bank of America's Southwest region.

Smith joined Bank of America Nevada in 1992 from Mitsui Manufacturers Bank in Los Angeles where he served as team leader in the Corporate Banking Department.

Before joining Mitsui, Smith worked for Citicorp North America in Los Angeles as team leader in the Asset Base Credit Department. He also worked for Bank of America in Los Angeles in the Commercial Banking Division.

"We are very pleased to have George take over as the new head of the Nevada operation of Bank of America," Hanna said in a prepared statement. "He is highly qualified and well-prepared for this position and will be very instrumental in helping Bank of America maintain its leadership role in Nevada."

Smith's background and involvement in the community will help the bank remain the leader in gaming, small business and residential loans, Hanna said.

Smith currently serves on the board of the Local Initiative Support Corp., the Boulder Dam Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America and the Transitional Hospital Corp. He said he plans to become even more involved in the community as he assumes greater responsibility at the bank.

He holds bachelor's and master's degrees from California State University in Fullerton. He and his wife, Adela, have been married for 11 years and have two children.

Etter, who announced his retirement March 1, has been in the banking business for 35 years. He led the institution formerly known as Valley Bank through its sale to Bank of America.

Smith