
Home Bank of California’s (HBC) office at 875 Garnet Ave. at the corner with Bayard Street is celebrating 30 years of business in the beach area. The family-owned bank originally began at 1380 Garnet Ave. near the Pacific Postal Service, Elephant Music and Habstritt Chiropractors. Byron Webb Jr. founded HBC in 1981. The bank is currently owned and operated by president Byron Webb III and his two sisters, Victoria Webb-Sack and Patricia Webb-Oliver. Webb III said he believes in maintaining a strong relationship with the bank’s customers. “Our goal is to provide a level of service that the community can appreciate and enjoy and to show we are an alternative to a big bank,” Webb said. HBC began as Thrift and Loan in the early 1980s until it became an industrial-loan bank in 1985. Four years ago, it was converted to a full-service commercial bank to provide a greater range of service to its customers. The main difference between industrial banks and commercial banks are that industrial banks do not offer checking accounts to its customers. As a commercial bank, HBC offers a variety of services, including savings and checking accounts, IRAs, mobile banking, super-money-fund accounts and certificates of deposit. In addition to HBC’s status as a local family-owned company, Webb III has forged and maintained strong ties to the beach. A native San Diegan and Torrey Pines High School graduate, he moved to the Mission Beach area in 1981 and has remained ever since. Webb III is also a member of the Mission Beach Rotary Club and is always “actively looking to serve the beach community through its service clubs.” HBC has also created a close, family atmosphere in the work environment. “One of our tellers has been with us for 15 years,” said Webb III. Angela Davies, HBC’s business development manager, has worked for the bank since November and has already experienced the bank’s tight-knit feeling. “The people here are amazing. It’s like a family and I’m one of the newest employees. Everyone has worked here between seven to 30 years,” she said. Davies has also been active in the beach community as a member of the Pacific Beach Kiwanis Club. Webb III said the friendly atmosphere extends to HBC’s customers. “Our employees know most of our customers on a first-name basis,” he said.
Discussion about this post