About Steve Balian
Steve Balian is the Managing Partner at SW&M. With over 25 years of experience, he leads the Mergers and Acquisitions group as well as the Contracts practice. Additionally, he is heavily involved with the Insurance and Intellectual Property practice groups. He has completed hundreds of mergers and has consolidated billions of dollars in assets (including mergers of peers and mergers of equals). Lastly, Steve is routinely requested by financial institution organizations, consultants and various clients to present for senior executives and board members.
Steve was introduced to the world of financial institutions when his mother worked as a manager of a small credit union in his late teens. Following in her footsteps, he began his own journey in banking as a teller during college. It is here where he developed his passion for relationship building which earned him an admirable reputation, one he still carries today.
Steve’s personal life is equally as rich; he is a proud husband and a father of 3. As a former semi-pro soccer player, he spent 10 years coaching kids in the American Youth Soccer Organization. He’s known as a ping pong and foosball enthusiast and loves to travel with his family in his free time.
Education
- University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, JD
- University of California, Riverside, BS
Admissions & Memberships
- State Bar of California
- Massachusetts Bar Association
- Oregon State Bar
- Virginia State Bar
- State Bar of California Financial Institutions, Past Committee Member