Leon Blankstein — American Business Bank

Chief Executive and President

THE LATEST: Blankstein was one of the organizers and founders of American Business Bank, one of the most active lenders in California last year, ranking sixth in the state by loan volume. American Business Bank was also the top lender through the state’s Small Business Loan Guarantee Program last year, deploying $18 million across 17 loans.
BACKGROUND: After Mellon Bank’s 1997 purchase of 1st Business Bank, where Blankstein had worked for 14 years, Blankstein and four other senior officers left 1st Business Bank to form American Business Bank. They raised more than $14 million to capitalize their new bank. Blankstein began his banking career as a management trainee in the commercial loan department at Bank of America where he was quickly promoted to loan officer. After two years, he accepted a position as a corporate banking officer at 1st Business Bank, where he was eventually named vice president/group manager in the corporate downtown office.
YEARS ON THE LA500: 2
Return to the 2021 edition of the LA500.