In Your Corner Magazine | Summer 2020

In Your Corner Magazine | Summer 2020

In Your Corner ISSUE 5 | 2020

Out of the blue Bright opportunities lay ahead

MCWAY FALLS IN JULIA PFEIFFER BURNS STATE PARK BIG SUR, CA

In this issue During times of change, we can learn much about successfully navigating uncertainty from others. By drawing on relatable experiences, connecting with new resources and taking a little extra care of ourselves—times like these present new opportunities for growth. ISSUE 5 | 2020

California Bank & Trust (CB&T) is more than just a bank to the people, businesses and communities we serve. Helping clients rise above challenging times is a part of our DNA. In this issue of In Your Corner magazine, you’ll hear from clients who benefitted from this commitment and have demonstrated amazing resiliency. We are inspired by their stories and know you will be too!

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CALIFORNIA DREAMIN’ Amazing gems: hidden views in California

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MORTGAGE INSIGHTS Is now the time to buy or refinance?

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PEACE OF MIND Top 5 ways to wind down

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RISING ABOVE Feeding San Diego leads the way during COVID-19

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ON THE GO Digital banking from wherever you are

CONTRIBUTORS Andie Green, Ubaldo Plentywounds, Kathryn Busch, Margaret Sweat

MARKETING MANAGER Angelia Hage

PUBLISHER California Bank & Trust

COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER Kari Luu

EVP | DIRECTOR OF MARKETING Jathan Segur

PROJECT EDITOR Robyn Lee

SENIOR COPYWRITER Maurice Pendarvis

VP | CREATIVE DIRECTOR Ron Gligic

In Your Corner Magazine may contain trademarks or trade names owned by parties who are not affiliated with California Bank & Trust, Zions Bancorporation, or its affiliates. Use of such marks does not imply any sponsorship by or affiliation with third parties, and California Bank & Trust does not claim any ownership of or make representations about products and services offered under or associated with such marks. Articles are offered for informational purposes only and should not be construed as tax, legal, financial or business advice. Please contact a professional about your specific needs and advice. © 2020 California Bank & Trust. All rights reserved. | A division of Zions Bancorporation, N.A. Member FDIC

adapt as the “next normal” emerges? HOWWILL CALIFORNIA BUSINESSES

As businesses across California start to reopen after months of lockdown, a question lingers for many: What does this mean for the future? A lot of businesses were already running on narrow margins before COVID-19, so for some, it means pivot their business model or risk closing their doors permanently. CB&T Senior Vice President and SBA Lending Manager, Gloria Miller, agrees that it may be hard to predict the next steps for many businesses during the evolving COVID-19 environment, but it strongly depends on whether the organization was negatively affected.

“I would suggest businesses wait and see or go into more of a defensive mode,” Miller said. “Now is not the time to make big expenditures. It may even be a time to see how it goes or hunker down. However, if a business is unaffected by COVID-19, I certainly wouldn’t tell them to deny a good opportunity as interest rates and commercial real estate [prices] are low. It depends on the business, its liquidity and resources.”

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Some businesses, such as the Autry Museum of the American West in Los Angeles, have been able to make quick changes to operate under current pandemic circumstances. The organizations has 190 employees and is known for its content and exhibits on native voices and stories. With the shelter-in-place order in March, the museum had to temporarily close its doors to visitors. However, the organization received a Paycheck Protection Program loan (PPP) through CB&T to keep the team on payroll and help pivot its content to a more accessible digital format. “This pandemic has been a catalyst for us,” said David Cartwright, Chair of the Autry’s Board of Trustees. “It forced us to move more quickly toward virtual content, an idea that we were slowly moving toward but were forced to activate in a month. We are now able to do more online programming, utilizing social media, virtual productions and more.” If businesses are finding themselves floundering and worried about the future, Miller advises them to get ahead of the issue.

“Be proactive with your bankers instead of holding off on disclosing your finances,” Miller said. “It’s better to work transparently and be up-front about your challenges rather than waiting until you’re desperate. Depending on your needs, the banker can do a waiver and possibly a loan payment modification. Other options [include] cutting expenses and delaying expansions.” While many businesses are operating in “to be determined” mode for the remainder of 2020, Miller encourages business owners to stay optimistic. “We will come out of this situation,” she said. “You might have to work harder, be a bit more creative and patient, but it will certainly get better.”

You might have to work harder, be a bit more creative and patient, but it will certainly get better.

Gloria Miller CB&T Senior Vice President and

SBA Lending Manager [email protected]

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IN YOUR CORNER ISSUE 5 | 2020

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hiddenviews in California When it comes to life in California, there are a few common themes: Pleasant weather whatever the season, great food that reflects our cultural diversity and the most stunning of views. Just like the song says, it’s all good from San Diego to the Bay. From beaches, bluffs and waterfalls, these hidden gem locations are sure to amaze. AMAZING GEMS:

LOS ANGELES | ERNEST E. DEBS REGIONAL PARK’S (DEBS PARK) SCENIC VIEWS

Talk about “locals only.” Debs Park is truly a backyard sanctuary to LA’s culturally diverse residents. Located inland of the Highland Park area, Debs Park is a vast area with multiple hiking trails where you can lose yourself in nature's wonders. With plenty of Zen-worthy sounds and sights, Debs Park can be a lovely contrast from LA’s hustle and bustle. On the higher-elevation trails, there are a variety of vistas of the LA skyline that will take your breath away. In addition, the area is rich with low-density forests with enough plants and bushes to give all the birds and animals a pleasant amount of refuge. However, the best way to experience this hidden oasis—is to find it.

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IN YOUR CORNER ISSUE 5 | 2020

LAGUNA BEACH | THE PIRATE TOWER About an hour north of San Diego is Laguna Beach, which prides itself as being one of the best beaches for Southern California natives and visitors from all over. The legend of “La Tour” or “The Pirate Tower” began in 1926 when the 60-feet tall castle-inspired tower was built as an enclosed staircase to Victoria Beach. This Laguna Beach landmark is one of the last existing structures of its kind located on the Southern California seafront. While it’s not accessible to climb to the top, it’s an excellent hidden spot to take photos for the “gram” or to watch a beautiful Southern California sunset from the beach. Just input Victoria Beach on your phone’s navigation and follow the directions.

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BIG SUR | MCWAY FALLS, JULIA PFEIFFER BURNS STATE PARK For one of the most picturesque views in the state, you can count on the Big Sur coastline on the California State Highway 1. This road trip is about the journey, not the destination. There are no “blink and-you'll-miss-it” moments as the drive has plenty of opportunities to pull over and take a photo of the bright blue ocean. However, if off-the-beaten-path is more your style, visit the Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, hike the half-mile Overlook Trail and be rewarded with a magnificent view of the McWay Falls (pictured on the cover) . This jaw-dropping, 80-foot waterfall, is one of the few cascades in California that drops directly into the ocean. You may be tempted to take a stroll down to the beach in the cove below the waterfall, but don't take the bait; this area is off-limits to preserve the cove's splendor.

VENTURA | OJAI VALLEY’S “PINK MOMENT” SUNSETS Ojai Valley means “Valley of the Moon” in the Native American Chumash language. Located 12 miles inland from Ventura County, Ojai is a small town tucked between an east-west mountain range that produces a one-of-a-kind sunset. Affectionately known as the “Pink Moment” because of how the sunset reflects off the Pacific Ocean, it creates a peachy-red glow that blankets the whole valley to the peaks of the Topa Topa Mountains. It's definitely a must-see natural wonder and almost worth planning a entire visit around. After the sun sets, the moon follows suit and illuminates the expansive valley. From the Los Padres National Forest that’s home to condors, bald eagles and bighorn sheep to the soothing streams at Matilija Creek, Ojai is a location known for plenty of natural beauty.

Check the city and county website for information about local restrictions aimed at preventing the spread of COVID-19.

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IN YOUR CORNER ISSUE 5 | 2020

Help protect your business from fraud with positive pay

While many businesses have felt the impact of COVID-19, scammers are targeting businesses—making tough times even harder. Positive pay 1 from CB&T is an easy- to-use service for businesses that helps detect fraudulent payments. It gives you control over which checks and Automated Clearing House (ACH) items will post to your account and the flexibility to make decisions from a desktop or with a mobile device. 2 Consider it your business tool for improved control and security.

KEY BENEFITS

• LOWER COSTS Allows for quick returns of unauthorized items to limit your potential losses • ADDED PROTECTION Helps reduce the risk of payee alteration fraud • SELF-RECONCILEMENT Export >Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28

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