Senior Vice President/Commercial Lending Team Leader
Portland Branch

Eric Deisler saw an opportunity to be a part of something special when he agreed to join Oregon Pacific Bank as the bank prepared to move into the Portland market.

Having worked in the banking industry since 2007 and having served Portland customers for much of that time, he’s dialed into the business community and understands what makes it unique. He and his teammates have hit the ground running, opening an office in Portland to serve clients.

“We’re full speed ahead,” he says. “It’s very exciting.”

Eric left a smaller bank to join OPB, having also worked for larger regional and national financial institutions over his tenure in the Portland banking community. There are some key benefits for businesses in choosing OPB over other banks, he says.

Whether it’s an expanding business just getting their feet under them, or a flourishing multi-generational business seeking a lending relationship with a more local, customized touch – OPB’s team is well prepared for most any commercial lending request that comes through their doors.

“The ability to provide customized lending solutions to Portland-area businesses, coupled with local decision making right here in Oregon, are a win-win situation for our OPB’s Portland banking team and our prospective clients,” Eric says.

With a background in working with businesses in small-towns, suburban areas in and around Portland, as well as within the city, he and the rest of the OPB Portland team can serve businesses in both the metro area and rural communities near Portland.

“We can run the gamut on size, complexity, industry and location of our clients,” he says. “We are of the size that we can uniquely serve the Portland market and the industries that support our dynamic and diverse economy.”

The key advantage is that OPB is an Oregon-based bank, which means clients don’t have to depend on out-of-state decision-makers who may not understand the unique needs of the local business climate when it comes to things like lending decisions.

“When you combine local decision-making with a strong Portland team, we can go to bat for Portland businesses in a way that is not readily available in this market,” Eric says.

Eric began his banking career right out of college – “I didn’t take a day off,” he says.

He says he identified early on with the challenges of running a business as he grew up in a family surrounded by entrepreneurs. This included his father, who ran a plumbing construction business in a small, rural community. Having the right financial support was critical,” Eric says.

“I realized within the walls of a bank, you can make a difference with a client, if you work hard and know what you’re doing,” he says.

He graduated from Mayville State University in North Dakota with a bachelor of science in Business Administration and Finance after completing his associate degree in business at Olympic College in Bremerton, Wash. All of these years he attended college on scholarship through participating on the baseball team as pitcher and 3rd basemen.

The experiences gained while competing in collegiate baseball over 4 years taught him a lot, and gave him confidence while allowing him to become the first college graduate in his family. “I owe a lot to the sport of baseball and the coaches I worked with for guiding me through college,” he says.

Eric grew up in Washington, and he and his wife decided to settle down in Portland in 2014 to be closer to her family. She grew up just on the west end of Portland in Washington County. They have two boys, and Eric volunteers his time as their little league coach, just as his father did for him.

“Coaching is one of the most rewarding experiences,” he says.

Eric and his family like to get outdoors to camp and hike or enjoy a getaway to Sunriver. In the spring and summer, he and his family can also be spotted taking in a Hillsboro Hops game.

“One of the reasons I chose OPB is so that I could continue to have work-life balance, spend time with family and give back to the community, all while being able to make an impact to the way companies interact with their banker,” he says. “As an Oregon chartered bank, with local decision making in play, we can really take the banking relationship to the next level and showcase a level of service and partnership that many businesses and their closely held ownership have not experienced here in this market.”

Eric serves on the board of directors for the Portland Metro Chapter of the Risk Management Association, an organization that advances the use of sound risk principles in the financial services industry. He’s also a recent graduate of the Portland Business Alliance’s Leadership Portland program, and he is actively involved with various trade associations in the construction and manufacturing industries. In addition, Eric volunteers his time as a treasurer and board member at the Fruit & Flower Day School.

He says he’s excited about serving clients, building relationships and helping Portland-area businesses grow and achieve their goals.

“OPB is in business to serve the unique needs of business owners in our region,” he says. “We’re interested in long-term relationships.”

To find out how we can help you and your nonprofit or business succeed, give us a call at 971-380-3166.