Bank of the West Expands Investment Advisory and Management Team

Brahos will fill the role of market strategist and senior portfolio manager, and Wetter will be a senior portfolio manager.

In his additional role as market strategist for the Wealth Management Group’s Investment Advisory and Management team, Brahos will provide intellectual leadership related to changes and trends in the economy and the impact on the team’s portfolio allocation strategies. Brahos will provide analysis from which decisions can be made to enhance the investment portfolios within the Wealth Management Group.

“As accomplished investment professionals, Drew and Bruce bring a depth of expertise that will be a strong asset for our clients as we work with them to manage their portfolios,” said Don Silva, head of Investment Advisory & Management for Bank of the West’s Wealth Management Group. “We’re pleased Drew and Bruce chose to join our expanding team and look forward to continuing our development as a key part of the growth of the bank’s overall Wealth Management business.”

Brahos, who will be based in Newport Beach, joins Bank of the West from Santa Barbara Bank & Trust as senior portfolio manager where he managed the Value Stock Fund and Growth Stock Fund Common Trust Funds. Brahos has also served as senior economist with Bank of America focusing on international equity strategy, asset allocation, and fixed income strategy.

Brahos earned his master’s in business administration in finance from University of Notre Dame and his master’s degree in teaching mathematics from Duke University. He earned his bachelor’s in mathematics from Butler University.

Wetter, who will be based in San Francisco, is an experienced portfolio manager and wealth management executive with a diverse background in analyzing investment objectives, portfolio construction, and managing a range of relationships. Before joining Bank of the West, Wetter was a portfolio manager with HighMark Capital Management and a relationship manager with Union Bank's Private Banking Group. Wetter has also worked as senior branch credit officer and relationship manager at Bank Hapoalim B.M.

Wetter earned his master's in finance from Golden Gate University and his bachelor's in economics from San Jose State University. He is a Certified Financial Planner (CFA).