West Valley National Bank is the West Valley's first locally owned and operated community bank. Founded by local business leaders, the Bank fills a much needed niche. For too long, the West Valley was served only by large institutions led by out of state ownership and management. We want to help local businesses control their own destiny by providing exceptional financial services delivered by local residents. Read More


Senior Management

Senior Management

Candace D. WiestCandace D. Wiest - President/CEO

Banking has been at the center of Candace Hunter Wiest's life for as long as she can remember. Providing the needed capital for American business to grow has been a central theme of the banker's noted career. "I believe in the free enterprise system," says Wiest. "It takes a lot of hard work to build a business and success is often based in partnerships." The notion and commitment to working with business is at the core of Wiest's approach to banking and her leadership of West Valley National Bank.

As CEO and President of the only locally owned bank west of I-17, Wiest is at the epicenter of change. "Many of our shareholders and directors of West Valley National Bank are legacy Arizonans," she notes. "In fact, some of our investors are fourth and fifth generation Arizona families who were true Western pioneers." It is this sense of history that guides her organization's lending practices and support of the tremendous growth opportunity found in the West Valley. "In the spirit of the pioneers who settled this part of the state, we are lenders from Arizona making loans in Arizona."

Candace Hunter Wiest holds the distinction of being the first woman banker ever elected Class A Director of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco. She was elected to a three-year term in 2003 and was subsequently re-elected for a second term on 2006. She has served on the FRBSF Audit Committee from 2003 to 2006. Wiest served on the Federal Reserve Bank Performance Committee and chaired the Public Information Committee, retiring in 2009. The 12th District is the largest bank in the Federal Reserve, serving 20% of the U.S. population.

Wiest came to West Valley National Bank after serving as the President of Inland Empire National Bank from 1993 to 2006. Under Wiest's leadership the bank became one of California's most successful and well-respected banks, changing its name in 2007 to First National Bank of Southern California.

Known for her outspoken views, quick delivery and deep knowledge of the banking industry, Wiest is a popular public speaker. Her personal story and journey to the top of her field is a lesson in perseverance and determination. Not one to rest on her laurels, Wiest demonstrates a passion for community leadership that extends beyond the financial sector. She has deep roots in civic development, health care, education and family issues. With a visionary view, Wiest says, "the future of Arizona is largely dependent upon the success of the West Valley. We are determined to be a vital part of this prosperity."

William N. Young, IIIWilliam N. Young, III - Chief Financial Officer

Mr. Young brings more than 30 years of experience in the banking industry to West Valley National Bank. He graduated in 1977 from The College of William and Mary with a BBA in Accounting and obtained his CPA certificate in 1985. Mr. Young began his career at Virginia National Bankshares in Norfolk, Virginia in their Management Training program in the Accounting Department. His responsibilities included managerial and regulatory reporting. In 1981, he accepted a position in the regulatory reporting area of MBank, located in Texas. He was promoted to Vice President of the bank's Capital Markets Division, with responsibility for all accounting functions for the group.

In 1991, Mr. Young moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico and began working for The Bank of New Mexico and Bank of Arizona in their finance department, where he was responsible for all accounting activities as well as the Asset/Liability Management function and budgeting area.

In 1998, Mr. Young moved to Phoenix and accepted the position as Senior Financial Officer for First National Bank of Arizona and First National Bank of Nevada. In addition to his responsibilities in the accounting and finance areas, he took on the added accountability of the treasury and strategic planning areas. Mr. Young joined WVNB in February of 2009 as CFO, with responsibility for all accounting, finance, treasury and operations areas of the bank.