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Bank CEO Kanari Receives Human Relations Award from AJC
American Jewish Committee recognizes Union Bank of California
for helping Jewish, Asian customers
Release via Newsstream
November 2004 (Newstream) -- Norimichi Kanari, president and chief
executive officer of Union Bank of California, N.A. will be recognized
by The American Jewish Committee with its prestigious 2004 National
Human Relations Award. The award will be presented at a dinner on
November 18th at the Four Seasons Hotel in San Francisco, CA. The award
is given to leaders whose community works and professional achievements
celebrate diversity and reflect the mission of the American Jewish
Committee.
The American Jewish Committee is this nation's pioneer community
relations organization. AJC has regional offices in 33 major American
cities, and overseas offices in Berlin, Jerusalem, Warsaw, Brussels, and
Geneva.
"The Institute of Human Relations Award is presented to leaders who
through their skills, influence and dedication have demonstrated their
profound commitment to preserving our democratic heritage and securing
human rights," said Ernest H. Weiner, executive director of the American
Jewish Committee. "We are proud to award Norimichi Kanari this 2004
National Human Relations Award for his professional accomplishments that
help to strengthen pluralism and protect the rights of all minorities."
Kanari heads a bank that has a well-documented history of leadership
in civic, community and business affairs. In the early 1900s, Union Bank
backed the creation of the largely Jewish-owned garment industry in Los
Angeles and its founder helped establish a hospital in the city that
eventually became Cedars Sinai. Another Union Bank of California
predecessor company, The Bank of Tokyo California, was formed to provide
banking services to Japanese Americans, who were routinely denied
banking services shortly after World War II.
Today, Union Bank of California has worked with public television for
more than a decade to help recognize the contributions of various
individuals - African American, Hispanic, Asian and Pacific Islander -
and to showcase their achievements in the community. Union Bank has
invested 4.5 percent of its assets every year in the underserved
neighborhoods of the communities it serves. Its commitment in 2004 is
more than $2 billion.
"I am truly humbled and honored by The American Jewish Committee's
Human Relations Award," said Norimichi Kanari, president and chief
executive officer of Union bank of California. "Like the American Jewish
Committee, Union Bank has a rich history of bridging cultures and
creating business opportunities through innovative programs and people.
I am proud to continue that tradition in our works today."
Mr. Kanari serves on the boards of directors of Union Bank of
California, its holding company, UnionBanCal Corporation (NYSE: UB) and
the Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi, Ltd., UnionBanCal's majority shareholder.
Mr. Kanari joined the bank in July 2000 as vice chairman, overseeing
functions in the Office of the President. He has a broad and
distinguished background including extensive service with The Bank of
Tokyo-Mitsubishi and its predecessor, The Bank of Tokyo, in the United
States, as well as in Asia. He serves on the Board of Trustees of the
Asian Art Museum Foundation. He is the immediate past president of the
Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Northern California.
The award dinner will be chaired by Robert T. Parry, retired
president and chief executive officer, the Federal Reserve Bank of San
Francisco. Co-chairs include some of California's top business leaders:
George C. Halvorson, Peter Magowan, Claire McAuliffe, Regina Liang
Muehlhauser, Nelson Rising, Richard Rosenberg, John G. Stumpf, Roselyne
Swig and Kirk Wilson.
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