(Washington, D.C., June 1, 2009)—B’nai B’rith International (BBI) has chosen Masaaki Tanaka, president and chief executive officer of UnionBanCal Corporation and its primary subsidiary, Union Bank, N.A., as winner of the Distinguished Achievement Award. Tanaka’s commitment to diversity, his work providing housing opportunities in underserved neighborhoods, and his leadership in helping people and communities, make him an outstanding candidate for this prestigious award, to be presented June 2 in Beverly Hills, Calif.
“Masa Tanaka leads by example,” said B’nai B’rith International Executive Vice President Daniel S. Mariaschin. “He combines his tenacious business skills – 30 years in the banking business – with a genuine desire to help people. That kind of spirit caught our attention since it has a clear impact on individuals.”
Tanaka has a wide range of impressive professional and community activities to his credit. In addition to his position at Union Bank, he is also managing executive officer of The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd. (BTMU). He has also served as an executive officer of BTMU in Tokyo and as BTMU's general manager and in the corporate planning division, among other positions.
He serves on the boards of directors of the Haas School of Business, University of California at Berkeley; the Financial Services Roundtable; The Clearing House, the nation’s oldest bank association and forum; the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco; and the Japan Society of Northern California. Tanaka is on the board of governors of the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles and is president of the board of directors of the Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Northern California. In addition, he is a 2008–2009 campaign cabinet member of United Way of the Bay Area and co-chair of the Kyoto Laureate Symposium and Gala 2009 in San Diego.
“Masa Tanaka has demonstrated how teaming up with neighborhood partners can have an immeasurable benefit to the local community,” said B’nai B’rith International President Moishe Smith. “This commitment to improving the lives of those in the community is the hallmark of a visionary leader, and an attribute that B’nai B’rith cherishes.”
Headquartered in San Francisco, UnionBanCal Corporation is a financial holding company with assets of $68.7 billion at March 31, 2009. Its primary subsidiary, Union Bank, N.A., is a full-service commercial bank providing an array of financial services to individuals, small businesses, middle-market companies, and major corporations. Union Bank is California’s fifth largest bank by deposits. The bank has 335 banking offices in California, Oregon and Washington, and two international offices. UnionBanCal Corporation is a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd., which is a subsidiary of Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE: MTU). Visit www.unionbank.com <http://www.unionbank.com/> for more information.
For more than four decades, B’nai B’rith, one of the world’s oldest and largest human rights, community action, and humanitarian organizations, has presented the Distinguished Achievement Award in recognition of the accomplishments of key community and corporate leaders around the world. These exceptional individuals and companies are honored for their community service, dedicated leadership, and commitment to improving the lives of the individuals they serve.
Details for news coverage: Tuesday, June 2, 2009, Montage Beverly Hills, 255 North Canon Drive, Beverly Hills, California. 6 p.m.-Marquesa Ballroom, cocktail reception; 7 p.m.-Dinner and award presentation. Media contact: Joel Samen 202-857-6683 or jsamen@bnaibrith.org
B’nai B’rith International, the global voice of the Jewish community, is the most widely known Jewish humanitarian, human rights and advocacy organization. BBI works to aid the victims of disaster; improves the lives of senior citizens through housing and advocacy; promotes health initiatives and education; provides youth leadership training; serves community members in need; and fights intolerance around the world. B’nai B’rith…since 1843. Visit www.bnaibrith.org <http://www.bnaibrith.org/> .
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