Christa Steele Named President, CEO of Mechanics Bank

Christa Steele has been named as President and Chief Executive Officer of Mechanics Bank.

“Christa’s excellent credentials reflect the high bar at which our executive management team currently performs,” said DD Felton, Chairman of Mechanics Bank. “Christa will bring intense and inspiring enthusiasm to our team, with community banking in her blood.

"She is an accomplished leader and career banker with a proven track record of successfully guiding business growth and process improvement,” he added.

For the last 11 years, Steele has been employed by Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, a Northern California community banking enterprise, most recently as an EVP, Wholesale Banking Manager.
“I am truly invigorated by the opportunities present in the Bay Area for the Community Banking model, and expect Mechanics Bank to continue to flourish,” Steele said. “Mechanics Bank has a longstanding reputation for excellence; we will continue to be a true relationship bank and the best alternative to the big banks in Northern California.”

Michael Downer, Vice Chairman of Mechanics Bank, said Steele has strong credit skills and treasury management experience.

"Christa is well‐versed in technology, operations and product management,
and arrives with a very solid reputation with both regulators and clients,” Downer said.

 For more information on Mechanics Bank, please visit www.mechanicsbank.com.