American Riviera Bank established its first full-service branch in Ventura County.

The bank purchased 1220 S. Victoria Ave., continuing its expansion along the California Coast and in Ventura.

“This location gives us the opportunity to create a permanent home in Ventura that reflects our relationship-focused approach to community banking,” Jeff DeVine, president and CEO of American Riviera Bank, said in a statement.

The property has a huge amount of parking and is located in a prominent area of Ventura. Along with it, it’s visible to customers and convenient for customer access.

Back in 2006, originally founded in Santa Barbara, American Riviera Bank was a single-branch bank that expanded into a $1.4 billion community serving bank business throughout the Central Coast.

The bank has a longstanding commitment to supporting small businesses, nonprofits, and community organizations.

American Riviera Bank has been searching for the right property. 

Vice President of Radius Commercial Real Estate Lisa Shields explained the building had checked off every box in what the bank was looking for.

Shields found the property in an off-market opportunity, ultimately securing the bank’s ideal location.

The transaction to own 1220 S. Victoria Ave closed on June 30, with the City of Ventura being helpful throughout the process.

“Their collaboration has helped bring American Riviera Bank’s vision for this property to life,” President of Radius Commercial Real Estate Gene Deering said.

Viviana Ruiz is a Sara Miller McCune News-Press Summer Fellow and Santa Barbara City College graduate bound for San Diego State University. She was past editor in chief of SBCC's The Channels and features editor of Santa Barbara High School's The Forge.