First Interstate Bank Names Chief for Unit

Bruce G. Willison was named chief executive of First Interstate Bank of California, the flagship unit of Los Angeles-based First Interstate Bancorp.

Willison, who also will be chairman and president of the bank unit, succeeds William E.B. Siart, who was promoted last year to president and chief operating officer of the parent company.

The naming of a new head of the California bank had been expected since Siart was moved last year into the new job, the second-ranking position at First Interstate.

A former Bank of America executive, Willison joined First Interstate in 1979. He has headed the highly profitable First Interstate Bank of Oregon since 1986.