Silicon Valley Bank

Who we are

• Division of First Citizens Bank: SVB operates as a division of First Citizens Bank, a top 20 U.S. financial institution with more than $225 billion in assets and a 125+ year history of strength and stability (as reported by First Citizens Bank).
• Focused on the innovation economy: For more than 40 years, SVB has specialized in banking the innovation ecosystem, including technology, life science and healthcare companies, and the investors who support them.
• Founded: 1983, in San Jose, California.
• Expertise: SVB's products, services, credit approach and technology are designed specifically for high-growth, innovation-focused companies and investment funds.

Who we serve

SVB serves innovative companies and investors at every stage of growth.

Innovation economy companies

• Pre-seed and seed companies
• Series A companies
• Series B and later-stage (C+) companies
• Corporate and later-stage companies, including those preparing for IPO and beyond

Investors

• Venture capital funds
• Corporate venture funds and innovation units
• Private equity and private credit funds
• Emerging managers
• Limited partners

Sectors and focus areas

SVB has deep sector expertise across key areas of the innovation economy, including:

• Climate tech and sustainability
• Consumer internet
• Aerospace, defense and security
• Enterprise software
• Fintech
• Frontier technology
• Life science and healthcare
• Premium wine

Geographic focus

SVB serves innovation economy clients across the United States and supports investors and funds across regions globally, as described on svb.com.

For detailed product terms, pricing, or availability in specific regions or segments, clients should contact SVB or First Citizens Bank directly through the channels listed on svb.com.

Overview

• Role: SAM is the asset management arm that helps clients manage corporate cash and pursue investment objectives.
• Experience: The website describes SAM as having more than 20 years in business as a registered investment adviser and hundreds of years of combined investment professional experience.
• Client base: SAM primarily serves high-growth companies, often in the technology and life science sectors, that hold significant operating and reserve cash.

Core objectives

SAM focuses on three main objectives for client portfolios:

1. Capital preservation
2. Liquidity aligned with operating and strategic cash needs
3. Competitive risk-adjusted returns within clients' guidelines

How SAM supports clients

Key themes from svb.com include:

• Strengthening liquidity: Helping clients safeguard liquidity and support smooth operations while maintaining sufficient cash on hand.
• Funding for growth: Investing cash balances in line with liquidity requirements and risk preferences to support growth initiatives and extend runway.
• Risk management and investor confidence: Providing disciplined investment risk management and customized reporting to help demonstrate financial prudence.

Solutions and strategies

Examples of solutions described include:

• Rules-based, separately managed portfolios of U.S. Treasuries with defined maturities (such as 6-, 9- or 12‑month structures).
• Custom fixed income portfolios of investment grade securities tailored to client objectives and guidelines.
• Investment horizons up to approximately three years, aligned with operating, reserve and strategic cash segments.

Investment strategies are designed using tools such as duration management, yield curve positioning, sector allocation and issuer risk analysis.

Reporting and client service

SAM positions itself as an extension of a client's treasury function by providing:

• Dedicated advisory support
• Timely market insights and perspectives
• Implementation of agreed strategies
• Detailed reporting and analytics on portfolio holdings and performance

For current product specifics, eligibility, fees, benchmarks and legal disclosures, clients should consult official SVB Asset Management materials or speak directly with SVB representatives.

Purpose and focus

• Fueling the innovation economy: SVB works to accelerate change and drive results across the innovation ecosystem, with a particular focus on underrepresented and emerging segments.
• Inclusive access: Efforts center on providing more inclusive access to banking relationships, insights, networks and strategic support.

Who these programs support

According to svb.com, SVB programs and initiatives in Inclusion in Innovation focus on:

• Seed and pre-seed startups looking for early guidance, connections and banking solutions.
• Venture-funded startups at Series A, B and later stages that are scaling quickly.
• Emerging fund managers building new venture and investment firms across various strategies.

Types of support highlighted

SVB highlights several forms of support for innovators and investors:

• Insights for founders: Proprietary data, research and best practices to support strategic decision making across sectors and stages.
• Exclusive client offers: Access to discounts and offers from selected partners (such as software and service providers) to help startups scale.
• Events and networks: Curated events and industry gatherings where founders, investors and ecosystem partners can connect.

Ecosystem partnerships

SVB collaborates with a range of ecosystem partners that focus on diversity, equity and inclusion in venture and technology. These partners are independent third parties and not affiliated with SVB, but SVB works with them to help diversify and strengthen the innovation economy.

For current program details or eligibility, prospective clients and partners should refer to the Inclusion in Innovation information and contact options provided on svb.com.

• Operating status: Silicon Valley Bank operates as a division of First Citizens Bank, an FDIC-insured bank.
• Client focus: SVB remains focused on the innovation economy, serving technology and life science and healthcare companies and a wide range of investment funds.

Acquisition by First Citizens Bank

• In March 2023, SVB was placed into FDIC receivership following a bank run.
• SVB reopened shortly after as a bridge bank providing similar products and services.
• On March 27, 2023, First Citizens Bank acquired SVB and assumed all customer deposits, according to the FAQ.
• Since then, SVB has operated as a division of First Citizens Bank, which is described as a top 20 U.S. financial institution with more than $225 billion in assets.

Relationship with First Citizens Bank

According to the FAQ and about pages:

• First Citizens Bank has a 125+ year history and offers a broad range of personal, business, commercial and wealth management services.
• SVB benefits from First Citizens' capital strength, liquidity profile and risk management culture while maintaining dedicated innovation-economy teams and sector expertise.

Planned rebrand (as described on svb.com)

The FAQ states that in Q4 2026, subject to the bank's plans and approvals:

• SVB's technology and healthcare business is expected to rebrand as First Citizens Innovation Banking.
• SVB Global Fund Banking is expected to rebrand as First Citizens Fund Banking.
• The SVB Wine division is expected to rebrand under the First Citizens Bank name.

The FAQ describes this as a name change rather than a change to SVB's go‑to‑market approach, client service model or solution set. Clients are expected to continue working with the same relationship teams, and online banking and products are described as unchanged at the time of the FAQ.

Focus on tech and life science and healthcare clients

SVB continues to emphasize that it:

• Banks startups and companies of all sizes across sectors such as enterprise software, fintech, climate tech, hardware, life sciences and healthcare.
• Works extensively with venture capital, corporate venture, private equity and other investment funds.

Where to find the latest information

Because bank branding, regulatory approvals, product terms and organizational structures can change over time, clients and prospects should rely on current materials on svb.com and firstcitizens.com or speak directly with SVB or First Citizens Bank representatives for the latest, authoritative information.

This FAQ summary is provided for convenience only and does not replace official disclosures, account agreements or regulatory communications from Silicon Valley Bank or First Citizens Bank.

Ask anyway — the agent will say plainly that it is not published rather than guess.