A growing banking institution celebrates its new name: West Coast Community Bank.

For its first decade-and-a-half of existence, Santa Cruz County Bank’s branch locations were within its eponymous county.

In 2019, it extended into Santa Clara County, inheriting a Cupertino branch after merging with Lighthouse Bank. Shortly after, in 2021 and 2023, the bank further expanded its reach with locations in Monterey County: Monterey and Salinas, respectively. 

When the bank merged with 1st Capital Bank in 2024, it gained a branch in another county: San Luis Obispo.

With the bank now operating in Santa Cruz County and beyond, it recently announced a new name that encompasses its expanded scope: West Coast Community Bank.

The bank has been working with various chambers of commerce over recent weeks to celebrate the launch of the new name, and on April 24, held a ribbon-cutting ceremony with the Monterey Peninsula Chamber of Commerce at its Monterey location, 300 Bonifacio Place.

“The successful merger of our two institutions positions us as one of the largest community banks on the Central Coast,” West Coast Community Bank President/CEO Krista Snelling said. “We remain committed to maintaining our exceptional client service standards and community focus that have been hallmarks of the success achieved by both community banks.”

In January, West Coast Community Bank closed its Monterey branch at 584 Munras Ave. by consolidating it with the Bonifacio Place location, while closing 1st Capital Bank’s two Salinas branches and merging them with its 480 S. Main St. spot.

West Coast Community Bank posted a Q&A about the merger online.