Robert H. Smith

Boardroom Confidential Robert H. Smith

The events that take place in any boardroom are often mysterious and not well understood by the general public and even by many whose work involves business matters. Boardroom Confidential is the story of Pacific National Bank as it implements a marketing strategy to attract the Hispanic immigrant population as banking customers. The intent is to capture a major portion of business with this un-banked segment of the states fastest growing group. The idea is regarded by the bank?s management and its board of directors as a strategic opportunity and the fulfillment of a social vision to accelerate the opportunity for this group to share the American dream. The story offers the reader a unique experience to sit along side Pat McDonough, a 49 year old retired venture capitalist. Pat, a new director, finds himself fully committed and employed in solving the variety of problems as he becomes the bank?s Chief Executive Officer. As the economy weakens among failing sub-prime and commercial real estate loans, board conflict erupts. The board of directors and management are in constant disagreement and debate in an environment of differing backgrounds, values and egos. The growing differences of the board are particularly magnified by opposing political and social views. Compounding the future of the bank and the board debates are a series of board and management issues involving failing subprime and commercial real estate loans, breaches of ethical behavior, violations of securities and banking laws, undisclosed personal relationships and an intensely aggressive effort on the part of the banking regulators to change and control the bank.