Avidbank announced that Ronald E. Oliveira has been named its new executive vice president and chief credit officer. Oliveira is replacing Michael S. Barton, who announced his intent to retire earlier this year.

“Michael has done a great job in establishing our credit culture and now retires at a time when the credit quality of our portfolio is excellent,” stated Mark D. Mordell, chairman and CEO. “We have known about Michael’s retirement for several months and after an extensive search, are pleased to have found Ron as his successor. With Ron’s credit skills and background, he will not only oversee credit quality and help grow our loan portfolio, he will be a significant addition to our executive management team.”

Oliveira has over 30 years of experience in the banking and financial services industry including both big bank and small bank experience. He most recently served as president and chief operations officer, and previously as chief credit officer, for Heritage Oaks Bank in Paso Robles, CA where he was instrumental in improving credit quality and returning the bank to profitability.

He has also held executive positions in credit administration, commercial lending and retail banking for Union Bank and Bank of California with responsibilities for northern California, Oregon, Washington and Guam/Saipan throughout his career. Oliveira, a native Californian, earned his BS in Agribusiness from Fresno State University and is a graduate of the Pacific Coast Banking School at the University of Washington.

“I’m delighted to join Avidbank and help build on their success,” Oliveira remarked. “With the excellent team they have assembled and the opportunities available in our marketplace, I believe that we can further the quality growth that they have experienced over the past few years. I look forward to being a part of it.”

Avidbank specializes in commercial and industrial, corporate finance, technology and asset-based lending, real estate construction, commercial real estate lending and real estate bridge financing.