Meet Peter Tirado, a branch manager with a black belt

From branch manager to worship pastor to Jiu-Jitsu black belt, Peter Tirado has built a life pursuing excellence in all he does. But success isn’t the fruit of knowledge alone. Peter’s professional and personal accomplishments are the result of putting people first—and living by the values (off and on the mat) that matter most to him.

His career in banking started in 2004 when he took a job as a teller for a national bank. Over the next decade-plus, he worked his way up to management, building expertise in banking and client service along the way. Early on, he found what energized him. “Doing the right thing by people is big with me,” said Peter. “My clients were always more than a number to me.”

Just as he wondered if he should make a career change to better align his personal values with his career, a mutual acquaintance introduced him to a Banner senior leader who is now his supervisor. “After talking to him and learning about Banner, I liked what I saw: longevity, values and a grassroots business model,” he said. “I realized it wasn’t my career I wanted to change, it was my employer.”

Joining as a personal banker at our Escondido, Calif., branch in 2017, Peter has quickly grown his career and today is Vice President and Branch Manager for the Carlsbad, Calif., branch. He says he’s thriving in a culture that’s guided by doing the right thing—a long-standing bedrock principle at Banner. “The way we do business is old-school in the best ways—build strong ties to the community, listen to what your clients need and recommend only products that are a fit for them.”

Serving the community where he was born and raised feels special as well. “I have a lot of pride in representing Banner in the community,” said Peter. “People like having a banker they can reach by calling directly—we’re responsive and they know we’ll take care of them.” He also is active in the community he loves, serving on the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce, as a board member for the Carlsbad Charitable Foundation and championing specific causes from helping veterans to economic development for the region. 

Beyond his impact at work, he appreciates how Banner is committed to work-life flexibility for their team members. Peter spends his off hours on what he cares about most: being a husband and dad and leading the music program for his church (from music selection to lighting and stage direction). He also keeps up a black belt in Jiu-Jitsu and is training for an upcoming Spartan race. 

Underlying it all? A timeless ideal. “I’ve always lived by 'Treat people how you want to be treated, like they’re your grandma or your mom,’” he said. “That’s what makes Banner special—our clients know us and they know we care.”