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CEO has big plans for star-crossed Vietnamese-owned bank
American Bankerยท 2025-10-01 21:21
Core Insights - California International Bank is experiencing a potential record year in profitability, reporting a net income of $600,000 through June 30, marking a significant turnaround after years of losses [1][10] - The bank has been released from two long-standing enforcement actions by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, which may facilitate its growth and operational improvements [2][14] - CEO Thanh Pham is optimistic about continued earnings growth, attributing the bank's turnaround to finding a niche in small business lending, with a portfolio growth of nearly 50% since the end of 2022 [3][4] Financial Performance - The bank's net income of $600,000 is notable given its history of only three annual profits in 20 years, with the largest being $1.5 million [1] - California International has reported zero charge-offs in 2023, 2024, and the first half of 2025, indicating strong credit quality [5] Business Strategy - The bank primarily serves small businesses with an average loan size of about $1 million, positioning itself as more accommodating than larger banks [4][5] - CEO Pham emphasizes the bank's ability to approve loans that larger banks often reject, which has contributed to its growth [5] Community and Market Potential - Located in Westminster, California, the bank serves a large Vietnamese-American community, which has a significant number of small businesses [6][12] - Despite the community's conservatism towards financial institutions, there is a growing optimism among local business owners, suggesting potential for further growth [11][12] Future Goals - CEO Pham aims to grow the bank's assets to $1 billion within five years, which would require a compound annual growth rate of 68% [10][17] - Upgrading technology and improving customer experience are priorities to compete with nonbank fintechs, as younger consumers increasingly turn to alternative financial services [15][16]