Virginia Varela
Head of Community Banking, SoFi Bank, N.A.
Senior Advisor, Klaros Group
Virginia has a unique and extensive background as a leader in the financial services industry. Virginia is the Head of Community Banking for SoFi Bank, N.A, and formerly President of Golden Pacific Bank, a division of SoFi Bank, since it became a national bank in February 2022. Virginia is also a Senior Advisor at Klaros Group, an advisory and investment firm focused on helping fintechs and banks navigate business and regulatory strategies.
Virginia was the President and CEO of Golden Pacific Bank, a nationally chartered community bank headquartered in Sacramento for eight years until it was acquired by SoFi Technologies, making it one of the most significant approved fintech bank purchases in the nation. Before that, Virginia held executive and Board positions at three California community banks, including CEO/President/Director at the Bank of Rio Vista, President/Director at San Luis Trust Bank, and COO at Bank of the Orient. She is recognized for her ability to execute bank turnaround strategies and lead M&A actions successfully.
Virginia first entered the banking industry as a bank examiner in 1984. Her experience includes various senior examiner and supervisory roles at the Federal Home Loan Bank Board, Federal Home Bank of San Francisco, Office of Thrift Supervision/Office of Comptroller of the Currency, and the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco.
Since 2010, Virginia has served on the Board of the California Bankers Association/Western Bankers Association and, from 2017 to the present, chairs the Federal Government Relations Committee. Virginia was a Director with the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco from 2019-2023 and chaired the Affordable Housing and Community Investment Committee and the Technology and Operations committee. Since 2018, Virginia has served on the Executive Committee of the "Friends of Traditional Banking,“ a national Super PAC including over 22,000 members in all fifty states. Virginia currently is a Commissioner on the CalAccount Blue Ribbon Committee with the California State Treasurer's Office, tasked with analyzing a program offering financial services to individuals with low or fluctuating income.
These are just some of Virginia's banking and professional experiences over a long and dedicated career.