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That’s The Legacy
We’re Building.
California’s pace of business is faster than ever before- stay up to speed with what’s happening at ABB.
David A. Wolf, Executive Vice President of Corporate Banking, has over 3 decades of corporate banking experience, each year underscored by his desire to see others succeed. He began his time with American Business Bank in 2004 opening the first regional office and serving as Regional Vice President of Orange County.
In the years since he joined ABB, David has been instrumental in overseeing the Bank’s growth by leading a team of seasoned bankers. His greatest motivation is to influence people for the better, and he does so with a ton of energy and passion each and every day. David desires for his legacy to be improving others and hopes to see them excel towards their dreams and aspirations.
His banking career began at Wells Fargo Bank as a Relationship Manager in Los Angeles. While there, he was elevated to Vice President of the Business Banking Group. In 1998, he joined Mellon 1st Business Bank as Relationship Manager, where he later became Regional Vice President of the South Bay Region before joining American Business Bank.
In addition to his professional responsibilities, Mr. Wolf currently serves on the Board of the Easter Seals of Southern California. His involvement spans over 20 years, including his current roll as Treasurer and Audit Committee member. In 2019, he was elected to the Board of MemorialCare’s Saddleback and Orange Coast Medical Centers.
A native of Los Angeles, Mr. Wolf graduated in 1983 with a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Arizona State University. He currently resides with his family in Orange County.
In 1998, Leon dreamt of a bank made by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs. His four partners shared in that dream, and ABB was born. Leon Blankstein currently serves as CEO, and Director of American Business Bank. Doing the right thing, and being a servant leader are the tenants that guide Leon in both his long term strategy for the Bank, and in his day to day dealings with the Southern California business community.
The passion, smarts and his genuine heart for his clients and employees have been constant throughout his banking career which began in 1982. After earning a B.S. in Economics from USC, Mr. Blankstein started his career at Bank of America where he was quickly promoted to Loan Officer. He stayed at B of A two years before accepting a position as a Corporate Banking Officer at 1st Business Bank.
Philip Feghali, President of ABB, graduated from USC in 1989 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Finance. With decades of commercial banking experience, Phil has contributed dramatically to the success of the Bank, and equally important, to the success of his clients’ businesses. He began his banking career at Security Pacific Bank in 1989, and later served as a Relationship Manager for First Interstate Bank and First Business Bank. In 2001, Phil joined ABB as a Relationship Manager and Team Lead, and quickly rose to the role of Regional Vice President, establishing the Bank’s Inland Empire regional office.
Despite Phil waiting three years after ABB began to join the Bank, his fingerprints are all over our DNA. Phil’s drive and desire to see his clients succeed, and his passion for sharing business intellect and wisdom with his clients, prospects, and the SoCal business community as a whole are a tremendous asset. His contributions to the organization transcend his role, and his influence and representation of our culture have been paramount in growing and attracting the best clients and bankers in the Southland to American Business Bank.
His involvements outside of his professional role include 22 years as a member of Tournament of Roses and a Board seat for Casa Colina Hospital and Centers for Healthcare.
Karen Schoenbaum joined American Business Bank as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer in October of 2017. She previously served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of California United Bank (CUB) from October 2009 until its sale in 2017.
During her tenure with CUB the Bank’s assets grew from $456 million to over $3 billion; the growth was primarily organic yet supported by three strategic acquisitions. Ms. Schoenbaum managed investor relations, oversaw public financial reporting, the investment department and the Treasury function while maintaining the SOX/COSO internal control framework for the organization and ensuring strong corporate governance in those areas. She also oversaw the Bank’s information technology systems ensuring best practices for cyber security.
Prior to joining CUB, Ms. Schoenbaum served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at several Los Angeles banks with assets up to $6 billion, where she was responsible for Financial and Regulatory Reporting, Accounting, Treasury Asset and Liability Management, General Services, the Corporate Real Estate department and technology. She also worked at the Big 4 accounting firm, EY, from 1985 to 1992.
Aside from her professional bank career Ms. Schoenbaum serves as a director of the University of Southern California’s Leventhal Board of Advisors, and is currently a director of the Los Angeles EY Alumni Association. In 2017 she was elected to LAUP, now known as Child360, Board of Directors; a nonprofit dedicated to early childhood education, and is also the Chair of their Finance Committee.
Ms. Schoenbaum received a B.A. in Business Administration, a M.A in Accounting, and a certificate in computer science from the University of Southern California.
Jeffrey Munson was named American Business Bank’s Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Officer in 2023. He joined the ABB Family in 2018 as the Regional Vice President of the San Fernando Valley Office. The moment he joined the Bank, Jeff knew he was home. In the five years he managed the Valley Office, Jeff oversaw tremendous asset growth. More importantly, he found himself surrounded by like-minded individuals dedicated to their commercial clients.
Prior to joining American Business Bank, Jeff spent thirteen years at California United Bank (CUB). He served in several positions at that Bank, lastly as the Senior Vice President and Loan Team Lead for CUB’s Thousand Oaks Office. Before joining CUB, Jeff was a Vice President and Business Development Officer at US Bank, and as a Junior Business Development Office at Wells Fargo.
Jeff’s first position in banking was a part-time job as a telemarketer for Imperial Bank. Little did he know that accepting a summer job in 1996 would turn into a fulfilling and engaging career.
He proudly serves as a regular teacher for Junior Achievement and as a member of the Finance Committee for Maryvale, Los Angeles’ oldest children’s charity.
David A. Wolf, Executive Vice President of Corporate Banking, has over 3 decades of corporate banking experience, each year underscored by his desire to see others succeed. He began his time with American Business Bank in 2004 opening the first regional office and serving as Regional Vice President of Orange County.
In the years since he joined ABB, David has been instrumental in overseeing the Bank’s growth by leading a team of seasoned bankers. His greatest motivation is to influence people for the better, and he does so with a ton of energy and passion each and every day. David desires for his legacy to be improving others and hopes to see them excel towards their dreams and aspirations.
His banking career began at Wells Fargo Bank as a Relationship Manager in Los Angeles. While there, he was elevated to Vice President of the Business Banking Group. In 1998, he joined Mellon 1st Business Bank as Relationship Manager, where he later became Regional Vice President of the South Bay Region before joining American Business Bank.
In addition to his professional responsibilities, Mr. Wolf currently serves on the Board of the Easter Seals of Southern California. His involvement spans over 20 years, including his current roll as Treasurer and Audit Committee member. In 2019, he was elected to the Board of MemorialCare’s Saddleback and Orange Coast Medical Centers.
A native of Los Angeles, Mr. Wolf graduated in 1983 with a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Arizona State University. He currently resides with his family in Orange County.
In 1998, Leon dreamt of a bank made by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs. His four partners shared in that dream, and ABB was born. Leon Blankstein currently serves as CEO, and Director of American Business Bank. Doing the right thing, and being a servant leader are the tenants that guide Leon in both his long term strategy for the Bank, and in his day to day dealings with the Southern California business community.
The passion, smarts and his genuine heart for his clients and employees have been constant throughout his banking career which began in 1982. After earning a B.S. in Economics from USC, Mr. Blankstein started his career at Bank of America where he was quickly promoted to Loan Officer. He stayed at B of A two years before accepting a position as a Corporate Banking Officer at 1st Business Bank.
Philip Feghali, President of ABB, graduated from USC in 1989 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Finance. With decades of commercial banking experience, Phil has contributed dramatically to the success of the Bank, and equally important, to the success of his clients’ businesses. He began his banking career at Security Pacific Bank in 1989, and later served as a Relationship Manager for First Interstate Bank and First Business Bank. In 2001, Phil joined ABB as a Relationship Manager and Team Lead, and quickly rose to the role of Regional Vice President, establishing the Bank’s Inland Empire regional office.
Despite Phil waiting three years after ABB began to join the Bank, his fingerprints are all over our DNA. Phil’s drive and desire to see his clients succeed, and his passion for sharing business intellect and wisdom with his clients, prospects, and the SoCal business community as a whole are a tremendous asset. His contributions to the organization transcend his role, and his influence and representation of our culture have been paramount in growing and attracting the best clients and bankers in the Southland to American Business Bank.
His involvements outside of his professional role include 22 years as a member of Tournament of Roses and a Board seat for Casa Colina Hospital and Centers for Healthcare.
Karen Schoenbaum joined American Business Bank as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer in October of 2017. She previously served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of California United Bank (CUB) from October 2009 until its sale in 2017.
During her tenure with CUB the Bank’s assets grew from $456 million to over $3 billion; the growth was primarily organic yet supported by three strategic acquisitions. Ms. Schoenbaum managed investor relations, oversaw public financial reporting, the investment department and the Treasury function while maintaining the SOX/COSO internal control framework for the organization and ensuring strong corporate governance in those areas. She also oversaw the Bank’s information technology systems ensuring best practices for cyber security.
Prior to joining CUB, Ms. Schoenbaum served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at several Los Angeles banks with assets up to $6 billion, where she was responsible for Financial and Regulatory Reporting, Accounting, Treasury Asset and Liability Management, General Services, the Corporate Real Estate department and technology. She also worked at the Big 4 accounting firm, EY, from 1985 to 1992.
Aside from her professional bank career Ms. Schoenbaum serves as a director of the University of Southern California’s Leventhal Board of Advisors, and is currently a director of the Los Angeles EY Alumni Association. In 2017 she was elected to LAUP, now known as Child360, Board of Directors; a nonprofit dedicated to early childhood education, and is also the Chair of their Finance Committee.
Ms. Schoenbaum received a B.A. in Business Administration, a M.A in Accounting, and a certificate in computer science from the University of Southern California.
Jeffrey Munson was named American Business Bank’s Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Officer in 2023. He joined the ABB Family in 2018 as the Regional Vice President of the San Fernando Valley Office. The moment he joined the Bank, Jeff knew he was home. In the five years he managed the Valley Office, Jeff oversaw tremendous asset growth. More importantly, he found himself surrounded by like-minded individuals dedicated to their commercial clients.
Prior to joining American Business Bank, Jeff spent thirteen years at California United Bank (CUB). He served in several positions at that Bank, lastly as the Senior Vice President and Loan Team Lead for CUB’s Thousand Oaks Office. Before joining CUB, Jeff was a Vice President and Business Development Officer at US Bank, and as a Junior Business Development Office at Wells Fargo.
Jeff’s first position in banking was a part-time job as a telemarketer for Imperial Bank. Little did he know that accepting a summer job in 1996 would turn into a fulfilling and engaging career.
He proudly serves as a regular teacher for Junior Achievement and as a member of the Finance Committee for Maryvale, Los Angeles’ oldest children’s charity.
David A. Wolf, Executive Vice President of Corporate Banking, has over 3 decades of corporate banking experience, each year underscored by his desire to see others succeed. He began his time with American Business Bank in 2004 opening the first regional office and serving as Regional Vice President of Orange County.
In the years since he joined ABB, David has been instrumental in overseeing the Bank’s growth by leading a team of seasoned bankers. His greatest motivation is to influence people for the better, and he does so with a ton of energy and passion each and every day. David desires for his legacy to be improving others and hopes to see them excel towards their dreams and aspirations.
His banking career began at Wells Fargo Bank as a Relationship Manager in Los Angeles. While there, he was elevated to Vice President of the Business Banking Group. In 1998, he joined Mellon 1st Business Bank as Relationship Manager, where he later became Regional Vice President of the South Bay Region before joining American Business Bank.
In addition to his professional responsibilities, Mr. Wolf currently serves on the Board of the Easter Seals of Southern California. His involvement spans over 20 years, including his current roll as Treasurer and Audit Committee member. In 2019, he was elected to the Board of MemorialCare’s Saddleback and Orange Coast Medical Centers.
A native of Los Angeles, Mr. Wolf graduated in 1983 with a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Arizona State University. He currently resides with his family in Orange County.
Tom Powledge has over 27 years of experience in cybersecurity and currently serves as the Chief Product Officer of Trustwave Holdings, Inc., a global provider of cybersecurity products and services for medium and large enterprises. Mr. Powledge formerly served as an operating executive and divisional general manager for Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Cisco Systems and Symantec Corporation. In these roles, Mr. Powledge was responsible for the creation, delivery and financial performance of cybersecurity products and services. He attended the General Management Program at Harvard Business School and the University of California at Santa Barbara.
Robert F. Schack is founding Chairman of American Business Bank. He has been in the banking business since the late 60's at both Security Pacific Bank and 1st Business Bank. In 1998, he joined four other executives to form American Business Bank, a financial institution serving small and middle size companies in Southern California.
Additionally, Mr. Schack serves as a member of the Board of Directors of Dallas Capital Bank, a growing financial institution serving middle market companies in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
Active in many civic groups over the years, Mr. Schack currently serves as immediate past Chairman and head of the Audit Committee of MemorialCare Health Services. He is also active on the Board of the YMCA of Greater Long Beach, as past chair. Reflecting his commitment to higher education, Mr. Schack is also a member of the Board of Governors of Long Beach State, for which he has served as chairman of the Corporate Scholars Council. In addition Mr. Schack serves on the board of the National Association of Corporate Directors. Mr. Schack also acts as an advisor for the Endicott Group, a private equity firm specializing in investments in the financial services industry.
Mr. Schack holds a Bachelors of Science and MBA from Long Beach State and an Executive MBA from UCLA.
Ms. Wang, CFA is the Vice President, Chief Investment Officer for Cedars-Sinai. She previously served as the Senior Managing Director of Investments for California Institute of Technology Investment Office, which oversaw the university's $3 billion endowment. Ms. Wang formerly co-managed a portfolio of opportunistic hedge funds for Pacific Alternative Asset Management Company(PAAMCO) a leading investment firm for institutional investors. She is a graduate of the University of California, Los Angeles and also holds an MBA in Finance from Columbia Business School.
Mr. Sanchez is the co-owner, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Jonathan Louis, one of the largest, fashion-forward furniture manufacturers in the United States with operations in Los Angeles, Mexico and North Carolina. He obtained his BS in Business Administration with an emphasis in Marketing from University of Southern California.
Mr. Malhotra is an audit partner and has been with the accounting firm Lucas Horsfall for over 15 years. He works with middle market companies with revenues up to $400 million and specializes in businesses with international operations. He advises clients year-round on tax law changes, reviewing merger acquisition opportunities, helping improve internal control structures and other processes. Mr. Malhotra provides audit and consulting services to non-profits and takes joy in helping people who help the world. Mr. Malhotra was born in India and came to the U.S. to attend UCLA. He is a part of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and California Society of Certified Public Accountants.
Ms. Matthai is a retired partner in Robie & Matthai. She has been a trial lawyer specializing in representation of attorneys in malpractice actions for over thirty years. She handles matters arising from nearly every field of practice including complex business transactions and litigation, probate and family law proceedings, securities, intellectual property and bankruptcy proceedings. She is a fellow of the American College of Trial lawyers and in 2008 was named “Trial Lawyer of the Year” by the Litigation Section of the California State Bar. Ms. Matthai is a past president of the Los Angeles County Bar Association, the California Defense Counsel, The Association of Southern California Defense Counsel and the Los Angeles Chapter of ABOTA. She has also received many prestigious honors, too numerous to mention.
After graduating from USC, Mr. Merrill began his career with Ernst and Young, specializing in financial services for closely held companies up to $500 million in sales. In 1995, Mr. Merrill left Ernst and Young to become the Executive Vice President of Lucky Brand Dungarees. He helped grow Lucky Brand's business from $45 million to $450 million in sales over the next 9 years. In 2004, Mr. Merrill became the Head of Real Estate for Liz Claiborne and managed the retail real estate expansion for a number of companies including Juicy Couture, Kate Spade, Liz Claiborne and Lucky Brand Jeans. In 2012, Mr. Merrill became the CEO of Triple R, LLC which specializes in Retail Realty Representation for existing and developing retailers.
Mr. Schlobohm retired in 2007 as President of National Corset Supply. He now lives in Hawaii on the island of Maui. He and his brother grew National Corset Supply to be one of the largest family-owned lingerie businesses in the country. A CPA, Jon graduated from UCLA and competed on the swim team.
Donald P. Johnson, Vice Chairman, and previous President and CEO, was one of the original organizers and founders of American Business Bank. After Mellon Bank purchased 1st Business Bank in 1997, Mr. Johnson and his partners personally raised the more than $14.2 million used to capitalize American Business Bank. This was the second largest management driven capitalization in California history.
Mr. Johnson obtained his undergraduate degree in 1968 from the University of North Carolina where he served as both Junior and Senior class president. After college, he was a full Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy and served a tour of duty in Vietnam. He earned his MBA from Pepperdine University in 1977. In 2004 he was elected to the Board of the California Bankers Association.
Mr. Usdan is a Co-Founder and retired Principal of The Endicott Group, a private investment and advisory firm specializing in the financial services industry. Prior to founding Endicott in 1996, Mr. Usdan was an Associate Director at Sandler O'Neill & Partners, L.P. Mr. Usdan received a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Virginia.
Tom Powledge has over 27 years of experience in cybersecurity and currently serves as the Chief Product Officer of Trustwave Holdings, Inc., a global provider of cybersecurity products and services for medium and large enterprises. Mr. Powledge formerly served as an operating executive and divisional general manager for Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Cisco Systems and Symantec Corporation. In these roles, Mr. Powledge was responsible for the creation, delivery and financial performance of cybersecurity products and services. He attended the General Management Program at Harvard Business School and the University of California at Santa Barbara.
Robert F. Schack is founding Chairman of American Business Bank. He has been in the banking business since the late 60's at both Security Pacific Bank and 1st Business Bank. In 1998, he joined four other executives to form American Business Bank, a financial institution serving small and middle size companies in Southern California.
Additionally, Mr. Schack serves as a member of the Board of Directors of Dallas Capital Bank, a growing financial institution serving middle market companies in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
Active in many civic groups over the years, Mr. Schack currently serves as immediate past Chairman and head of the Audit Committee of MemorialCare Health Services. He is also active on the Board of the YMCA of Greater Long Beach, as past chair. Reflecting his commitment to higher education, Mr. Schack is also a member of the Board of Governors of Long Beach State, for which he has served as chairman of the Corporate Scholars Council. In addition Mr. Schack serves on the board of the National Association of Corporate Directors. Mr. Schack also acts as an advisor for the Endicott Group, a private equity firm specializing in investments in the financial services industry.
Mr. Schack holds a Bachelors of Science and MBA from Long Beach State and an Executive MBA from UCLA.
Ms. Wang, CFA is the Vice President, Chief Investment Officer for Cedars-Sinai. She previously served as the Senior Managing Director of Investments for California Institute of Technology Investment Office, which oversaw the university's $3 billion endowment. Ms. Wang formerly co-managed a portfolio of opportunistic hedge funds for Pacific Alternative Asset Management Company(PAAMCO) a leading investment firm for institutional investors. She is a graduate of the University of California, Los Angeles and also holds an MBA in Finance from Columbia Business School.
Mr. Sanchez is the co-owner, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Jonathan Louis, one of the largest, fashion-forward furniture manufacturers in the United States with operations in Los Angeles, Mexico and North Carolina. He obtained his BS in Business Administration with an emphasis in Marketing from University of Southern California.
Mr. Malhotra is an audit partner and has been with the accounting firm Lucas Horsfall for over 15 years. He works with middle market companies with revenues up to $400 million and specializes in businesses with international operations. He advises clients year-round on tax law changes, reviewing merger acquisition opportunities, helping improve internal control structures and other processes. Mr. Malhotra provides audit and consulting services to non-profits and takes joy in helping people who help the world. Mr. Malhotra was born in India and came to the U.S. to attend UCLA. He is a part of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and California Society of Certified Public Accountants.
Ms. Matthai is a retired partner in Robie & Matthai. She has been a trial lawyer specializing in representation of attorneys in malpractice actions for over thirty years. She handles matters arising from nearly every field of practice including complex business transactions and litigation, probate and family law proceedings, securities, intellectual property and bankruptcy proceedings. She is a fellow of the American College of Trial lawyers and in 2008 was named “Trial Lawyer of the Year” by the Litigation Section of the California State Bar. Ms. Matthai is a past president of the Los Angeles County Bar Association, the California Defense Counsel, The Association of Southern California Defense Counsel and the Los Angeles Chapter of ABOTA. She has also received many prestigious honors, too numerous to mention.
After graduating from USC, Mr. Merrill began his career with Ernst and Young, specializing in financial services for closely held companies up to $500 million in sales. In 1995, Mr. Merrill left Ernst and Young to become the Executive Vice President of Lucky Brand Dungarees. He helped grow Lucky Brand's business from $45 million to $450 million in sales over the next 9 years. In 2004, Mr. Merrill became the Head of Real Estate for Liz Claiborne and managed the retail real estate expansion for a number of companies including Juicy Couture, Kate Spade, Liz Claiborne and Lucky Brand Jeans. In 2012, Mr. Merrill became the CEO of Triple R, LLC which specializes in Retail Realty Representation for existing and developing retailers.
Mr. Schlobohm retired in 2007 as President of National Corset Supply. He now lives in Hawaii on the island of Maui. He and his brother grew National Corset Supply to be one of the largest family-owned lingerie businesses in the country. A CPA, Jon graduated from UCLA and competed on the swim team.
Donald P. Johnson, Vice Chairman, and previous President and CEO, was one of the original organizers and founders of American Business Bank. After Mellon Bank purchased 1st Business Bank in 1997, Mr. Johnson and his partners personally raised the more than $14.2 million used to capitalize American Business Bank. This was the second largest management driven capitalization in California history.
Mr. Johnson obtained his undergraduate degree in 1968 from the University of North Carolina where he served as both Junior and Senior class president. After college, he was a full Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy and served a tour of duty in Vietnam. He earned his MBA from Pepperdine University in 1977. In 2004 he was elected to the Board of the California Bankers Association.
Mr. Usdan is a Co-Founder and retired Principal of The Endicott Group, a private investment and advisory firm specializing in the financial services industry. Prior to founding Endicott in 1996, Mr. Usdan was an Associate Director at Sandler O'Neill & Partners, L.P. Mr. Usdan received a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Virginia.
Tom Powledge has over 27 years of experience in cybersecurity and currently serves as the Chief Product Officer of Trustwave Holdings, Inc., a global provider of cybersecurity products and services for medium and large enterprises. Mr. Powledge formerly served as an operating executive and divisional general manager for Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Cisco Systems and Symantec Corporation. In these roles, Mr. Powledge was responsible for the creation, delivery and financial performance of cybersecurity products and services. He attended the General Management Program at Harvard Business School and the University of California at Santa Barbara.
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