Effective Jan. 1, 2025, Johnny Lee, currently president and chief banking officer of Royal Business Bank, will be appointed as president of RBB Bancorp, president and CEO of the bank and a director of the company and bank. In addition, effective as of May 22, 2025, Lee will be appointed as CEO of the company. Lee brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the company from various financial institutions, and the company will continue to benefit and grow with his leadership.
Prior to joining the company in 2023, Lee, age 62, most recently served as senior managing director, head of international and commercial banking of East West Bank, from 2021 to 2023. Prior thereto, Lee also served in the following roles at East West Bank: head of venture lending, emerging technologies, from 2018 to 2023; managing director and chief administrative officer, U.S. Greater China (bridge) banking, from 2015 to 2018; and managing director, international banking group, corporate banking division, from 2013 to 2015. Lee has over 35 years of banking experience.
Effective Jan. 1, 2025, David Morris, will resign from his position as CEO of the bank and president of the company. Morris will continue serving as the company’s CEO until he retires effective as of May 21, 2025. Morris will remain on the boards of directors of the company and the bank.
“We wish to express our sincere appreciation for the tremendous work Morris has completed for the company over the past 15 years and we are grateful for his service and dedication. Our company has grown substantially due in large part to his strategic efforts and we are so pleased he plans to continue his service as a director of both the company and the bank after he retires from the day-to-day responsibilities as CEO of the company,” Christina Kao, the company’s chair of the board of directors, said. “We are also pleased to have Lee become president and CEO of the bank at the start of the year and CEO of the company in May of 2025 through a succession plan. Lee is a remarkably talented executive, and I look forward to his continued leadership and ongoing contributions as we continue to attract top-tier banking professionals to grow our team and strive to deliver value to our customers, community and shareholders.”
“I am delighted to be part of the collaborative Royal Business Bank team,” Lee said. “The company has demonstrated outstanding growth and performance while delivering shareholder value and serving the Asian American community and Asian-centric businesses. I look forward to leading the company to achieve success for the benefit of our employees, clients and shareholders.”
Also effective Jan. 1, 2025, Mina Rizkalla, currently senior vice president, BSA officer and deputy chief risk officer for the bank since 2023, will become executive vice president and chief risk officer for the company and the bank and will report to Lee. I-Ming (Vincent) Liu, currently executive vice president and chief risk officer for the company and the bank, will relinquish the chief risk officer position and remain with the bank as executive vice president and chief of staff and will report to Lee. In his new role, Liu will assist with the announced senior leadership succession plan and transition timeline.
