President
Executive Vice President
Johnny Lee. Mr. Lee is the President and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Lee joined the Bank in June 2023 and served as President and Chief Banking Officer from June 2023 to December 2024. Prior to joining the Bank, Mr. Lee was the Senior Managing Director and Head of International and Commercial Banking at East West Bank where he headed a group of 155 professionals, oversaw a portfolio of nearly $7.0 billion in outstanding commercial loans and $4.5 billion in deposits. He had been with East West Bank for 10 years from May 2013 to June 2023. Before East West Bank, Mr. Lee was with CTBC Bank (previously known as ChinaTrust Bank) as EVP and Head of Corporate Banking/C&I for nearly 5 years, from October 2008 to May 2013. He was a member of the Executive Committee and oversaw all C&I/commercial lending across the U.S. Prior to CTBC Bank, Mr. Lee spent more than 4 years with United Commercial Bank as SVP and Head of its Technology Banking Group from February 2004 to October 2008. He founded and built its specialized industry platform which provided venture debt and banking services to emerging technology companies and venture capital firms. Mr. Lee started his banking career with General Bank in May 1990 as a Management Trainee and served in various expanded roles during his 14 years tenure there, including its post-merger with Cathay Bank. He headed the Northern California Region as SVP and Regional Manager which oversaw all commercial lending, including the Technology Lending Division, and all branches. Mr. Lee holds a B.A. from Willamette University and a M.I.M. from Thunderbird School of Global Management.