U.S. Bank has named Chris Peary chief private banking officer for Wealth Management. He’ll drive the bank’s push to deliver integrated banking, credit, and wealth solutions to affluent, high net worth, and ultra high net worth clients, overseeing a private banking platform built on consistent, high-touch service across every market it operates in.
“Chris is a highly respected leader who brings deep banking expertise, a broad understanding of our business and a track record of delivering exceptional outcomes for clients,” said Scott Ford, president of Wealth Management at U.S. Bank. “His experience across consumer banking, business banking and wealth management gives him a unique perspective into the needs of our clients and teams. Chris’ leadership, disciplined approach and passion for developing people will be invaluable as we continue to grow and strengthen our Private Banking business.”
Peary has spent two decades climbing the ranks at U.S. Bank. Most recently, he served as national banking lead and West region banking manager for Ascent Private Capital Management while also working directly as a client advisor, a dual role in which he drove Ascent’s national banking strategy, grew its banking business, and led teams serving the firm’s ultra high net worth clients.
He’s held roles across consumer banking, business banking, Private Wealth Management, and Ascent since joining the bank in 2016.
Peary holds a bachelor’s degree in business from the University of Colorado Boulder and a master’s in finance from the University of Colorado Denver, and he completed the Executive Leadership Certification program at Pacific Coast Banking School through the University of Washington.
Herald View: Promoting from inside Ascent’s ultra high net worth ranks tells you where U.S. Bank’s priorities sit. Relationship continuity is winning out over outside hires for private banking leadership, a bet that trust already built with top clients matters more than fresh strategy from outside.