Q&A: Ivan Ferraz, Head of Nevada Commercial Banking at Wells Fargo

Ivan Ferraz is head of commercial banking for Wells Fargo in Nevada. Based in Las Vegas, Ferraz leads a team of bankers in Reno and Las Vegas focused on middle market and large corporate companies, both privately held and publicly traded, across a wide variety of industries. He has 25 years of banking experience, including 19 years with Wells Fargo.

1) Can you discuss the bank's strategy for talent acquisition, development, and retention?

We develop and attract highly talented bankers to our industry-leading Commercial Banking platform through multiple people-focused programs including our early talent, BOLD (building organizational leadership diversity), and military/veteran recruiting and retention programs. In addition, we provide significant opportunities for on-the-job training, ongoing professional development, and professional assignments within the broader organization to support our employees’ career goals and development needs. 

It is important that our employees see and feel that they are being represented across all levels of the company. We want to create a culture of inclusion and belonging so they can bring their full selves to work. Our goal is to embrace and promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of our business, which we believe is essential to engaging our employees, customers, communities, and shareholders. At Wells Fargo, each person is valued for individual skills and talents, has the opportunity to fulfill professional ambitions, and contribute to the success of the company.  

2) Can you discuss any recent initiatives or innovations the company has undertaken to drive growth and stay ahead of the competition?

Vantage is a new digital banking platform for Commercial Banking and Corporate & Investment Banking clients. The platform uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to tailor the client experience, making it more individualized and targeted to specific business needs. Clients will be provided recommendations and next steps based around each one’s niche needs by taking things from a segregated/siloed use of business to an increasingly insightful experience.

Vantage is scalable across any stage of growth the business is experiencing and can grow along with them. With our focus on machine learning, we have the ability to better understand patterns from our customers’ habits, anticipate their future needs and ultimately enhance the value they get from banking with Wells Fargo.