MISSION VALLEY BREAKS GROUND COMMUNITY-BASED BANK BEGINS BUILDING NEW HOME.

Byline: Evan Pondel Staff Writer

SUN VALLEY - Tamara Gurney's vision goes beyond the temporary bungalows and empty sandlot that were the backdrop for Mission Valley Bank's groundbreaking Tuesday.

Gurney, president and chief executive officer, walked toward a color rendering of the bank's future home, recalling a time when running a small community business was a distant dream.

But with the help of a few investors and former colleagues, the bank now has about $40 million in assets, and will be ready to move into its new headquarters by 2003.

``We have worked toward creating a bank made up of the community,'' said Gurney, standing behind a shovel that symbolized the bank's first step toward a more established presence in Sun Valley.

Since July 2001, the bank has been operating out of a temporary office, serving about 600 customers with five tellers. Mission Valley Bank's new home will be a 15,144-square-foot building that will stand on about an acre of land at Sunland Boulevard and Tuxford Place.

The bank anticipates filling around one-third of the building's occupancy.

Though Mission Valley Bank is new to Sun Valley, its employees have a long-standing relationship with the community. The notion of starting a smaller bank was hatched several years ago by former American Pacific State Bank employees.

Gurney, who began working for APSB a couple decades ago, became disenchanted with the industry after her employer was acquired by City National Bank.

``It just didn't have the warm feel of a community bank anymore,'' she said. ``And I wanted to bring that sense of community back.''

Gurney and a few of her co-workers began brainstorming ideas on how to revitalize the community feel of banking. The result was Mission Valley Bank - a full-service operation that catered to local businesses and consumers.

Instead of depending on her colleagues' resources, the bank's asset base was raised from local commerce. Gurney said it wasn't an easy feat, especially on the heels of an economic downturn.

``However, we were somehow able to get the resources together and here we stand,'' she said. ``But you have to understand, we live in this community and we love this community. We want to help make it a better place.''

Ron Hall certainly understands the importance of creating a more desirable community. Hall, 71, has lived in Sun Valley for more than 30 years. He said newer buildings and businesses that improve the region's aesthetic are always positive because Sun Valley has a reputation of being riddled with junkyards and pollution.

``We needed a bank like this because the area was devoted to more industrial companies,'' Hall said. ``We also needed this bank to bolster the sense of community out here.''

Behind the bank, a cluster of homeowners keeps horses. Jim Bagge, a local businessman and a director of the bank, said in order to enhance the community feel, a horse trail will surround the Mission Valley building.

``This is horse country out here, and we have to accommodate the trails in this area, too,'' he said.

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Photo:

(1 -- 2 -- color) Mission Valley Bank President Tamara Gurney, left, stands in front of the temporary facility that has served the community bank since July 2001. Gurney attended the groundbreaking for the bank's new 15,144-square-foot Sun Valley facility, below, scheduled to be completed in 2003.

John Lazar/Staff Photographer