Pacific Capital West is raising $2 million in seed capital to organize Raven Bank, a proposed California industrial loan bank designed to combine advanced technology, customized credit and strategic partnerships with relationship-led community banking.
*Lesser amounts may be approved by the Managing Member. **Current offering assumption, not a fixed date; the offering may be cancelled or terminated at any time.
Historical results of New West Thrift & Loan / Novato Community Bank / Circle Bank under Kim Kaselionis’ leadership. Not indicative of results of the proposed bank.
Enduring banks combine institutional discipline with entrepreneurial execution. Here is what Pacific Capital West brings to both.
More than two decades of financial-services leadership, including turnaround, growth, capital, regulatory and exit experience.
Familiarity, coordination, and shared operating experience among team members.
The proposed CTO led technology at Grasshopper Bank through startup, chartering and launch.
A proposed JHA Silverlake core with a modern orchestration layer and multi-rail payments, rather than a rip-and-replace build.
Specialized lending and strategic partnerships designed to accelerate client growth.
Planned disciplined underwriting, CECL and stress testing, and automated compliance controls.
Integrate real-time payments, treasury workflows, and digital banking capabilities into a more connected client experience.
Develop customized credit and relationship-led services for businesses with distinct financial needs.
Pursue a structure that can support commercial banking alongside complementary nonbank financial services, subject to regulatory approval.
All target segments and lending activities remain subject to charter approval and final business-plan development.
When Kim Kaselionis became President and CEO of New West Thrift & Loan in 1996, the institution was facing financial and regulatory pressure.
She helped restore regulatory confidence, repositioned the institution as Novato Community Bank and later Circle Bank, and led its expansion into a six-branch Bay Area franchise.
Under her leadership, assets grew from approximately $17 million to more than $326 million, and the institution recorded approximately 53 consecutive profitable quarters before its above-book-value sale to Umpqua in November 2012.
That experience informs the approach behind Pacific Capital West: combine entrepreneurial vision with the discipline required to build and operate a regulated financial institution.
More than two decades of banking leadership, including the turnaround, growth, and sale of Circle Bank. Proposed Chairman, CEO, and President of Raven Bank, subject to approval.
Commercial banking leadership with operating experience shared with members of the Circle Bank team.
Led technology at Grasshopper Bank through startup, chartering, and launch.
Identified to support risk and central operations through the organization and proposed launch process.
A CFO candidate has been identified on a confidential basis. Chief Credit Officer recruitment is planned following seed capitalization.
A proposed seven-member board: the CEO, an experienced bank director, three to four community-connected members and one to two significant capital contributors. Final composition and appointments are subject to regulatory review and approval.
The proposed bank would build on a proven core with a modern orchestration layer, giving clients real-time payments, integrated treasury and strong controls.
Digital Banking · Business Portal · AI Relationship Manager · Banker Workstation
API Gateway · Event Bus · Workflow Engine · Identity & Consent · Audit/Regulatory Bridge
JHA Silverlake Core Banking Platform
FedNow/RTP, ACH, wire and card networks
AI/ML, embedded finance, open banking, tokenized assets
Automated BSA/AML, KYC/KYB, fraud, cybersecurity and audit logs
Disciplined underwriting and portfolio management
Regulatory capital, CECL modeling and stress testing
Automated BSA/AML, KYC/KYB and fraud controls
Cybersecurity, dual-control workflows and audit logs
Proposed architecture. No vendor agreements have been executed; all arrangements and controls remain subject to due diligence, contracting, the charter process and regulatory approval.
Complete the $2 million seed raise and engage the professional advisers needed to advance the initiative.
Develop the charter-level business plan, refine the proposed capital structure, evaluate technology arrangements, and prepare regulatory applications.
Following application filing, pursue the proposed holding-company formation, regulatory review, and additional operating capitalization.
Subject to approvals, capitalization, and operational readiness, launch the proposed bank and begin developing client relationships.
| Issuer | Pacific Capital West, LLC (California) |
| Seed Raise | $2,000,000 | $10.00 per membership Unit |
| Minimum Investment | $250,000 (lesser amounts at the Managing Member’s discretion) |
| Eligibility | Accredited Investors |
| Expected Closing | January 31, 2027 (current assumption, not a fixed date; the offering may be cancelled or terminated at any time) |
| Economics | No traditional management-fee or carried-interest structure; no fund hurdle rate or preferred return is described |
| Liquidity | Highly illiquid; no market expected; transfers restricted; no redemption right; subscriptions generally irrevocable |
Seed investors may qualify for organizer stock options or future participation rights in the proposed bank, subject to the applicable agreements, additional cash investment in bank stock, specified conditions, and regulatory approvals.
Pre-charter and pre-revenue; failure or delay in raising seed capital
Uncertainty in charter approval and timing; ownership and control restrictions
Need for future operating and growth capital; final requirements not yet set
Technology and vendor selection and implementation; cybersecurity; dependence on management and advisers
Credit, liquidity, interest-rate and deposit-concentration risk; competition
Units are highly illiquid with no market or redemption right; hold indefinitely
Request a confidential conversation with our team and controlled access to the offering materials.
Tell us how to reach you and how you were introduced.
Discuss the proposed banking strategy, seed-capital initiative, and regulatory roadmap.
Subject to eligibility and controlled-access procedures, review the relevant offering documents and supporting materials.
Choose a time to discuss the proposed banking strategy, the seed-capital initiative, and the regulatory roadmap.