Tag archives: Montecito Bank and Trust

Yuletide Dividends
By Richard Mineards   |   December 10, 2024

It was a spectacular start to Yuletide when Montecito Bank & Trust held its 22nd annual Community Dividends lunch at the Hilton for 300 guests. More than 195 local charities received checks of varying amounts, with two organizations – Casa Pacifica Centers for Children and Families, and the Youth and Family Services YMCA’s Noah’s Anchorage, […]

At the YMCA, Leis is More
By Richard Mineards   |   August 15, 2023

George Leis, president of Montecito Bank & Trust, is having a new lease on life! George, who is also a board member of Santa Barbara Zoo, the Santa Barbara Historical Museum, the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, and the Channel Islands YMCA, becomes chairman of the national YMCA in February, succeeding CiCi Rojas, the first Hispanic […]

Twice the Yuletide Spirit
By Richard Mineards   |   December 6, 2022

It was a spectacular start to Yuletide when Montecito Bank & Trust held its 20th annual Community Dividends awards lunch, which normally divides $1 million among myriad local charities. But this year the Hilton event for 300 guests was one with a decided difference as the bank, founded by the late Michael Towbes, awarded a […]

Montecito Bank & Trust
By Lynda Millner   |   August 16, 2022

The Santa Barbara Historical Museum was the venue for another Fiesta party. This time a kickoff for the Montecito Bank & Trust and their loyal customers. They had outgrown their own bank as a party place. I always liked going up to the teller window and withdrawing a margarita instead of dollars. Their motto is […]

MBT Gives Back
By Zach Rosen   |   March 29, 2022

Philanthropy and giving back to the community has been a part of the Montecito Bank & Trust ethos since opening on March 17, 1975. Over the years Montecito Bank & Trust (MBT) has grown from its simple beginnings into a much larger operation, with over 250 associates under its roof. MBT continues to give back […]

Montecito Bank & Trust Reports Record Income
By Kelly Mahan Herrick   |   February 15, 2022

Montecito Bank & Trust reported that total assets grew $398.62 million, an increase of 20.41% during the 12-month period, to $2.35 billion for the year ending 12/31/2021. Strong deposit growth of $401.15 million or 23.15% year-over-year, pushed year-end deposit totals to $2.13 billion. Loan growth declined $143.4 million or 10.88% year-over-year due to Payroll Protection […]

The Transformative Power of Education
By Laura Capps   |   January 18, 2022

“Compassionate, distinguished, and exemplary are three words that embody the many contributions Janet Garufis has made to our community and our university. We are grateful to be able to rely on her wisdom and her commitment to our mission of lifelong learning, social justice, and advancement for individuals, organizations, communities, and society. It is with […]

Fiesta Season is Here
By Richard Mineards   |   January 8, 2021

Montecito Bank & Trust’s main State Street branch suffered major social gridlock when it hosted its third annual Fiesta party for more than 300 traditionally garbed guests. Quaffing magnificent margaritas and noshing on traditional fare from Los Arroyos, partygoers were entertained by Chris Fossek playing classical guitar, with flamenco dancing from Junior Spirit of Fiesta […]

Donating Food for Toilet Paper
By Scott Craig   |   May 7, 2020

Montecito community members are joining with Westmont to serve the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County, which has distributed 2.25 million pounds of food during the COVID-19 response. Residents can drop off food at the rear parking lot of Montecito Bank & Trust on Coast Village Road on Saturday, May 9, between 9 am and noon […]

MClub At Casa Del Herrero
By Lynda Millner   |   January 30, 2020

As Maria McCall, director of the MClub for the Montecito Bank and Trust said, “Visitors to the Casa are transported back to Montecito in the 1920s and 1930s – the heyday of the original owner George Fox Steedman. Designed by George Washington Smith, the Casa is one of the finest examples of Spanish Colonial Revival […]

Sweet Dream
By Richard Mineards   |   November 30, 2017

British singer Cliff Richard was the star of the show in the cavernous ballroom of the Ritz-Carlton Bacara when 400 glamorously garbed guests turned out for the popular charity, the Dream Foundation, which hosted its 16th annual gala, Dreamland. Cliff who, you might ask, but Sir Cliff, 77 – he was knighted by Queen Elizabeth […]