Bita Ardalan — MUFG Union Bank

Head of Commercial Banking

THE LATEST: In the past 18 months, Ardalan has significantly expanded the revenue segmentation and geographic reach of Union Bank’s commercial banking group and led the development of a unitranche lending product. She also launched new coverage models in technology banking, equity sponsor finance, health care and life sciences banking, and strategic client coverage to service the team’s largest and most complex strategic clients. Ardalan also oversaw Union Bank’s participation in the Main Street Lending Program to support businesses negatively impacted by Covid-19, as well as the creation of a new commercial banking underwriting center of excellence, putting all underwriting under a single, unified leadership structure.
BACKGROUND: Ardalan sets the strategic vision for Union Bank’s commercial banking group. She oversees more than 160 employees in 17 offices and more than 200 support partners. Her team services clients’ debt financing, depository and cash management, global trade, and foreign currency exposure needs. She previously served as head of the financial institution’s middle-market banking and helped found Union Bank’s national specialized lending group. Ardalan serves on the Iranian-American Women Foundation’s advisory board. She also serves as an ambassador for the Looking Beyond Foundation. YEARS IN THE LA500: 5
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