Decades long reign by executive leaders stifling diversity and perspective - Director Silicon Valley Bank Employee Review

3.0
13 Jun 2020
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

supportive colleagues, client focus - much to be proud of - employees go to great lengths for our clients

Cons

Systemic issues impacting hiring practices (nearly zero diversity - executive actually said on a call with the whole company that we didn't fill the role with a diverse candidate because 'I guess we were focused on finding the best candidate'), core values (leaders that don't practice them remain in roles), client focus (which is great) but employees get the table scraps, leaders are able to 'hide' behind employee feedback because there is no mechanism for understanding collectively how everyone really feels about our internal issues - provided the watered down version with little action, current leadership says they want to change but unsure how to and won't hire/take action to hire the diverse executive leadership needed to truly turn the ship - we end up with 'rinse and repeat' every year

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Silicon Valley Bank Response
6y
Thanks for your candor and speaking up. You are right – SVB needs to do better when it comes to adding more diversity to our ranks and promoting and supporting diverse employees. The executive committee (EC) has received an incredible amount of feedback from employees in the last few weeks about our own actions, what it’s like to be a person of color at SVB, how and when our values are put into practice (and when they are not), and how we could do more as a financial services company and as a leader in the industry to fight for racial justice and equality. The feedback has been unvarnished, honest and direct. And it has been appreciated. You are right, SVB and its leaders on the executive committee do seek more aggressive change. While we may not get every step right, there is a new, stronger commitment from everyone on EC to listen to employees, involve employees in crafting new outreach and thinking, and enact sustainable change at SVB and in our industry and communities.

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5.0
9 Jun 2026
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CEO approval
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Pros

- Great Pay - Great People

Cons

- Post FCB Migration - Things have slowed down

1.0
31 Mar 2026
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Pre-2023, excellent culture and team environment, strong compensation and bonuses, and generous budgets that supported employees well.

Cons

Since the 2023 bankruptcy, the company has struggled to regain its identity. There has been significant turnover in senior leadership, and much of the experienced management team has departed. This has led to inconsistent direction, frequent misalignment between leadership messaging and execution, and a noticeable decline in employee confidence. Compensation, bonuses, and career progression opportunities have become less competitive, and overall employee support has diminished. The organization now feels more like a rebranded extension of First Citizens rather than the distinct institution it once was. There is also an over-layering of management, with too many overlapping roles and unclear accountability, which slows decision-making and creates unnecessary complexity. Finally, the company has lost much of its competitive edge post-2023, with ongoing client attrition and reputational challenges that employees are left to address without clear strategic direction.

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