Square 1 Bank Expands Equity Funds Group

SAN FRANCISCO and BOSTON, Nov. 01, 2016 -- Square 1 Bank, a division of Pacific Western Bank, today announced that it has expanded its Equity Funds Group with the addition of two senior hires, Judy Lee and Chuck Tedeschi. Square 1 also named Brad Smith, managing director, head of the Equity Funds Group. Formerly known as Venture Capital Services, Square 1’s Equity Funds Group focuses exclusively on meeting the unique needs of venture capital and private equity firms.

Smith joined Square 1 in 2014 as senior vice president, responsible for managing and expanding relationships with venture capital firms in Northern California. As managing director of the Equity Funds Group, he is responsible for leading the nationwide team of banking professionals that service venture capital and private equity investors. “Since joining Square 1, Brad has worked extensively to help assemble an outstanding, experienced team, while identifying new ways we can serve clients within the equity funds sector. We are pleased to have a leader of his caliber assume this important role,” said Arthur Wasson, executive vice president, Equity Funds Group and Global Treasury Management.

Senior vice president Judy Lee comes to Square 1 from Silicon Valley Bank where she most recently served as vice president in the Venture Capital and Private Equity Services practice, and brings over a decade of experience in financial services and relationship management in Silicon Valley. Her prior experience also includes a senior advisory role in Silicon Valley Bank’s Fixed Income Asset Management group and banker positions within its technology and life sciences practices. Judy received an MS in Financial Analysis from the University of San Francisco and a BS from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. “I am excited to work with a group of energized and knowledgeable bankers and look forward to continuing to build partnerships within the investor community,” said Lee.

Based in Boston, Chuck Tedeschi joined Square 1 in April as senior vice president and oversees the equity funds practice in New England. He has nearly 20 years of venture capital, private equity and technology banking experience. Prior to joining Square 1, Chuck held leadership positions at NewSpring Capital and NEPC, LLC, where he conducted research on venture capital and private equity firms on behalf of the firm’s institutional clients. He also spent nearly 10 years at Silicon Valley Bank, most recently as a member of its Capital’s Venture Fund-of-Funds team. Chuck received an MBA from Pepperdine University and a BA from Boston University. Tedeschi added, “I am grateful for the opportunity to join the Square 1 team and work alongside people who share my passion for venture capital and private equity.”

“Chuck and Judy are strong additions to our team,” added Smith. “Their collaborative spirit and enthusiasm for strengthening the financial resources of the firms they serve will be instrumental as they help expand our venture capital and private equity client base. I am pleased to have them at Square 1.”

About Square 1 Bank
Square 1 Bank is a division of Pacific Western Bank, a Los Angeles-based commercial bank with over $21 billion in assets. A full service financial services partner to entrepreneurs and their investors, Square 1 provides clients flexible resources and attentive service to help their companies grow. Square 1 offers a broad range of venture debt, treasury and cash management solutions through offices in top innovation centers: Atlanta, Austin, the Bay Area, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Durham, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, New York, San Diego, Seattle and Washington, DC. Pacific Western Bank is a wholly-owned subsidiary of PacWest Bancorp (NASDAQ:PACW).  For more information, visit www.square1bank.com.

Media Contact:
Square 1 Bank, a division of Pacific Western Bank
Dee McDougal
919.597.7479
[email protected]