The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas announced today that Bank of the West, located in San Francisco, Calif., has joined the association as a Platinum Partner, the highest level of support for the MRAA.
With banking roots dating back more than 135 years, Bank of the West has been focused on expanding its marine market portfolio over the last few years. Currently serving marine dealers across the United States with both retail and floorplan lending, Bank of the West wanted to demonstrate its commitment to the marine market through its support of the MRAA.

“Bank of the West remains committed to serving all the same markets it was serving before the big recession,” says Mark Beecher, Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing Manager, of Bank of the West. “The marine industry is now moving past a very rough patch in the business cycle. We continue to support our marine dealer base with retail finance programs from our National Indirect Lending Group as well as our Essex Credit subsidiary. Three years ago, in the depth of the recession, we started a Commercial Finance business, serving the commercial financing needs of the marine industry, as well as dealers in the auto and RV markets. Our long history of prudent underwriting enables us to support well-­‐ managed dealers with all their financing needs. We are definitely open for business and growing.”

“We are thrilled to partner with Bank of the West in support of marine retailers,” says Matt Gruhn, MRAA President. “Mark and his group are already working with a number of our members, and it’s exciting to all of us that Bank of the West is demonstrating its commitment to the marine market and playing a significant role in helping the market continue to recover.”