Great place to build a network in Silicon Valley. - Anonymous employee Silicon Valley Bank Employee Review

2.0
Nov 18, 2009
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Great salary and benefits. Widely recognized in the SF Bay area in the venture and small business community. The name will open a lot of doors and its banking clients seem very satisfied. The company has the ability to attract some of the nicest and most talented people around. I made many long-term friendships there.

Cons

1. High level politics. Senior management is more interested in their own aspirations than managing their team or understanding the business. 2. Very much an old boys network. If you're not pals with the lead decision-maker, then you'll be passed over for promotions and kudos. Management is more interested in talking about big ideas than implementing them. 3. The infrastructure of the company is circa 1995. The computers are slow and clunky, as are most of the IT applications needed to do the job. Check out the company's website for an example. 4. Strong silo culture, from the steering committee downward.

Explore other reviews about Silicon Valley Bank

5.0
Jun 9, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

- Great Pay - Great People

Cons

- Post FCB Migration - Things have slowed down

1.0
Mar 31, 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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