Goleta-based Community West Bancshares, the holding company for Community West Bank, has hired Kristine Price as its new chief credit officer and vice president, effective July 31.

Price was previously the chief credit officer and senior credit administrator for the Los Angeles market at Torrey Pines Bank, the California division of Western Alliance Bank. She was also the chief credit officer of Bank of Nevada, another subsidiary of Western Alliance. Phoenix-based Western Alliance Bancorporation has assets of about $9.7 billion.

Price “is known for developing a strong credit culture that enables organizations to grow assets and expand market positioning,” Community West President and CEO Martin Plourd said in a statement.

Price received a bachelor’s degree in economics from San Diego State University and graduated from the University of Washington’s Pacific Coast Banking School. She is a past director of the national Risk Management Association and served on the group’s Community Bank Council. She is currently the treasurer of the Los Angeles chapter.

Community West’s previous chief credit officer, Steven Rosso, abruptly departed the Goleta firm earlier this month,  “under mutual agreement.” The bank did not provide reasons for Rosso’s departure.