2026 Preferred Banking Associate Carmel Valley, CA

Job Title:

2026 Preferred Banking Associate - Carmel Valley CA

Location:

Carmel Valley

What youll do:

The Preferred Banker Development program is intended for early career college graduates looking to develop the skills and knowledge required to successfully operate in a business banking environment. This role is not a traditional entry level banking job it is a purpose-built launchpad to quickly build skills in sales service and operations while learning about business lifecycles deposits treasury lending and transaction management. From day one this role is designed to give early career professionals direct exposure to how commercial relationships are built advised and grownan opportunity thats increasingly rare early in a banking career. Instead of spending years in disconnected operational roles youll work alongside experienced consumer commercial business and small business banking relationship managers gaining hands on insight into the technical advisory and relationship skills required to succeed at higher levels of the bank. What truly differentiates this role is the deliberate investment in your development and training.

This program is intentional about building strong bankers early by focusing on:
Core foundations in banking fundamentals including transaction processing credit and lending deposits basic treasury management and client advisory including problem resolution and service basics.
Developing commercial judgment including how to think like a business advisor and making the right recommendations to optimize a business; understanding business complexities and recommending value add solutions.
Relationship building to drive outcomes including how to network manage referrals and maintain an effective book of business.
Coaching feedback and visibility to help you quickly accelerate your learning and apply your learning rapidly to build strong foundations and business acumen.

This role is designed for individuals who know they want to pursue commercial business or small business banking relationship management roles private banking or credit related career paths and are looking for a rare early opportunity to learn the business the right waywith structure support and real exposure. As a Preferred Banking Associate youll play a key client-facing role throughout your development focusing on sales execution deposit management and relationship support. This position partners closely with Preferred Banking Advisors Small and Business Banking Relationship Managers and branch partners to support new business development deepen existing client relationships and deliver exceptional end-to-end service. The Preferred Banking Associate serves as a trusted point of contact for clients ensuring a high-quality client experience while maintaining compliance with all bank policies procedures and risk management standards. This role provides an opportunity to apply advanced client service and operational expertise while building advisory exposure and supporting sales outcomes.

Support sales execution prospecting and pipeline management in partnership with advisors and branch teams. Serve as a primary client contact delivering responsive service and identifying relationship growth opportunities. Assist with account opening maintenance and delivery of deposit and treasury solutions. Proactively engage clients through outreach follow-up and service reviews to ensure effective solution delivery. Participate in client meetings and support relationship development activities. Research resolve and follow through on client inquiries to ensure timely accurate resolution. Process client transactions accurately while adhering to policies procedures and risk controls. Maintain cash handling identity verification and compliance standards across all servicing activities.

What youll need:

• 2 years of related experience in Customer Service Branch or Retail Banking Treasury Management Services; or Bachelors degree in related field. or similar field.
• High school diploma required; Bachelors degree in related field preferred.
• Entry level to intermediate knowledge of general banking operations including deposit operations loan administration treasury management and/or other commercial banking products and services.
• Entry level to intermediate knowledge of deposit products client servicing and operational processes within a fast paced client-focused banking environment.
• Entry level to intermediate attention to detail with a strong commitment to accuracy compliance and risk management;.
• Entry level to intermediate experience and proven ability to engage professionally with clients partners and leaders.
• Intermediate speaking and writing communication skills.
• Occasional travel required.
  

Compensation: Hourly range for new hires is generally $27.60 - $34.09 for San Diego CA. Salary amount is determined by specific job addition the role may be eligible for annual bonus/incentives earned.

Benefits youll love:
We offer all the important things youd want like competitive salaries an ownership stake in the company medical and dental insurance time off a great 401k matching program tuition assistance program an employee volunteer program and a wellness addition youll have the opportunity to bolster your business knowledge learning the ins and outs of how successful companies operate and manage their finances giving you invaluable hands-on experience to help grow your career!

About the company:

Western Alliance Bank Member FDIC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Western Alliance Bancorporation. Serving clients nationwide Western Alliance Bank includes six legacy bank brands Alliance Association Bank Alliance Bank of Arizona Bank of Nevada Bridge Bank First Independent Bank and Torrey Pines Bank that remain part of the companys heritage as well as AmeriHome Mortgage a Western Alliance Bank Company.

Western Alliance Bancorporation is committed to equal employment and will consider all qualified applicants without regard to race sex color religion age nation origin marital status disability protected veteran status sexual orientation gender identity or genetic information. Western Alliance Bancorporation is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the application process and/or need an alternative method of applying please email or call . When contacting us please provide your contact information and state the nature of your accessibility issue. We will only respond to inquiries concerning requests that involve a reasonable accommodation in the application process.

Western Alliance Bancorporation