SACRAMENTO, Calif., January 19, 2024 – The California Bankers Association today announced that Louise Walker was honored as the CBA’s Distinguished Banker of the Year. Walker was officially recognized at the CBA’s Bank Presidents Seminar last week.
“The California Bankers Association is honored to have presented this award to Louise,” said Kevin Gould, president & CEO of the California Bankers Association. “Our association has benefitted greatly from Louise’s guidance and leadership over the years. In addition to serving as the chair of our board of directors, she has led and dedicated countless hours to numerous committees. Louise has been a passionate advocate for the banking community and is truly deserving of this award.”
The award honors a banker who personifies what it is to be a distinguished California banker – a banker who is dedicated to the industry, a role model for future leaders, engaged in their community, and also serves as a leader within the association.
Walker retired at the end of 2022, following a 43-year tenure at First Northern Bank, headquartered in Dixon, California. During her career, she held a variety of positions, including Head of Operations and Data Processing and the oversight of Human Resources, Risk Management, Compliance, Accounting, and Finance. Before assuming the position of President and Chief Executive Officer in 2011, Walker held the position of Senior Executive Vice President/Chief Financial Officer for 14 years.
Throughout her career, she has served as a board member for several private and public organizations. Walker continues to be engaged in the banking industry and community, serving as a member of the First Northern Bank’s Board of Directors, a board member of the Pacific Coast Bankers Bank, and a member of the Executive Committee of the Valley Vision Board of Directors, to name a few.
“It is humbling to be selected by your peers as the California Bankers Association’s Distinguished Banker of the Year,” Walker said. “Banking has been my passion for more than 40 years, and what a fulfilling career it has been on so many levels. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to serve the communities within the Greater Sacramento and Solano County regions at the local level, as well as the overall banking community at the industry level. My journey in banking has always been about championing for the people side of our business, and the important role banks and their employees play not only as trusted advisors who provide financial products and services, but how critical they are for the vitality of the communities they serve through sponsorships, donations, grants, and volunteerism. ”
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