Banis has worked in the financial services industry for 30 years. His experience in trusts, business succession planning, multi-generational family wealth issues and retirement plan services will help drive "future growth plans" at CitizensTrust, said Citizens Business Bank president and chief executive Chris Myers.

Prior to CitizensTrust, Banis was executive vice president of sales and strategy at MullinTBG, a Prudential Financial firm. There, he led the sales, marketing, relationship management, investment advisory and analytical service groups.

Banis started his career at Security Pacific National Bank in 1979, moving to Bank of America in 1992 where he was promoted to vice president and director of its trust client services division. In 1995 he joined Fidelity Investments, and served as president of First American Trust in Santa Ana, CA, between 2002 and 2009.

CitizensTrust has approximately $2.1 billion in assets under administration, including $1.7 billion in assets under management, as of 31 March.