Our Banking Advisors

Michael Torres — Senior Financial Advisor

Michael Torres brings 22 years of California community banking experience to Valley First, specializing in SBA lending, commercial real estate financing, and agricultural lending across the Central Valley.

Before joining Valley First in 2010, Michael spent a decade at a regional California bank where he managed a $120 million commercial loan portfolio and originated over $300 million in SBA-guaranteed loans. His clients ranged from almond growers in Kern County needing seasonal operating lines to hotel developers in Fresno structuring construction-to-permanent financing. That frontline experience taught him that a loan officer who has never walked a farm or toured a commercial property cannot accurately assess the risk — or the opportunity.

Michael earned his Bachelor of Science in Finance from California State University, Fresno in 2001 and his MBA from the same institution in 2006. He holds a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation, a Certified Trust and Financial Advisor (CTFA) certification, and NMLS license #1234567. His regulatory training is current through 2026, and he completes a minimum of 30 hours of continuing education annually covering commercial lending regulations, agricultural economics, and fiduciary standards.

The core of Michael's approach is listening before prescribing. When a contractor in Stockton sits down to discuss an equipment loan, Michael asks about the project pipeline first — how many jobs are booked for the next six months, what the materials cost trends look like, whether labor availability is tightening. The loan structure follows the business reality, not a standardized template. This diagnostic-first methodology has produced a portfolio default rate of 0.4% across 14 years at Valley First, well below the commercial banking industry average.

Specializations and Expertise

Michael's advisory practice covers three primary areas: SBA and commercial real estate financing, agricultural and agribusiness lending, and retirement income planning for business owners.

SBA and Commercial Real Estate Lending

Valley First holds SBA Preferred Lender Program status, which means Michael and his colleagues underwrite and approve SBA 7(a) and 504 loans in-house without waiting for SBA review. This cuts the average approval timeline from six weeks to seven business days. Michael has closed over 400 SBA-guaranteed loans during his tenure, covering business acquisitions, partner buyouts, equipment purchases, real estate acquisitions, and debt refinancing. His knowledge of SBA eligibility requirements — including franchise documentation, environmental assessments, and change-of-ownership rules — means fewer surprises at the closing table.

Agricultural and Agribusiness Lending

Agriculture accounts for roughly $50 billion of California's annual economic output, and financing it requires understanding seasonal cash flow dynamics that differ fundamentally from retail or service businesses. Michael structures operating lines of credit that expand during planting and growing seasons and contract after harvest, equipment loans with payment schedules that align with crop revenue timing, and real estate loans for farmland acquisition. He consults regularly with the NCUA on agricultural lending regulatory compliance, and he has presented at the California Farm Bureau's annual lender forum on best practices for agricultural credit analysis.

Retirement and Succession Planning for Business Owners

Business owners face a retirement planning challenge that salaried employees do not: their largest asset — the business itself — is illiquid. Michael works with member business owners to structure retirement contributions through SEP IRAs and individual 401(k) plans, build liquidity outside the business through diversified investment portfolios, and plan ownership transitions via employee stock ownership plans or third-party sales. The goal is to ensure the business owner reaches retirement age with options, not obligations. He coordinates with estate planning attorneys and CPAs where needed, always ensuring the member retains decision-making control over their financial architecture.

Credentials and Specialties

Credential	Issuing Body	Year Earned	Relevance
BS, Finance	CSU Fresno	2001	Foundation in financial analysis, risk management, and corporate finance
MBA	CSU Fresno	2006	Advanced business strategy, organizational management, and economic modeling
CFP (Certified Financial Planner)	CFP Board	2008	Comprehensive financial planning including retirement, investment, tax, and estate
CTFA (Certified Trust and Financial Advisor)	ABA Institute	2011	Trust administration, fiduciary responsibilities, and wealth transfer strategies
NMLS #1234567	NMLS	2010	Mortgage loan origination licensing; current through 2026
SBA Preferred Lender Certification	U.S. Small Business Administration	2019	In-house SBA 7(a) and 504 underwriting and approval authority

Important Details

How Advisory Sessions Work

Every Valley First member qualifies for two free financial counseling sessions per year with a certified advisor. Sessions run approximately 45 minutes and are available by phone, video conference, or in person at any of the 42 branch locations. The first session focuses on understanding your financial goals, current position, and timeline. The second session presents a customized plan with specific action steps. There is no sales pressure — advisors are salaried fiduciaries, not commission-based salespeople. Follow-up sessions beyond the two complimentary visits are available at a flat $75 per session, waived for members with combined deposit and loan balances exceeding $50,000.

What to Bring to Your First Meeting

To get the most from your advisory session, bring your most recent tax return, last two pay stubs or profit-and-loss statements, a summary of existing debts including credit cards, student loans, vehicle loans, and mortgages, and a list of your financial goals ranked by priority. For business owners, also bring three years of business tax returns, a current balance sheet, and a 12-month cash flow projection if available. You are not expected to have every document perfectly organized — the advisor will help you identify what is missing and how to obtain it. The goal is to leave the first session with a clear picture of which information gaps need filling and which opportunities are immediately actionable.