Castle Creek is an alternative asset management firm focused on the community banking industry. Located in Rancho Santa Fe, California, the firm has been a leading investor in community banking since its inception in 1990, having raised and managed seven private equity funds and multiple special situations funds. We have more than 100 combined years of industry experience—five decades operating banks and another five investing in them—which allows us to bring a unique perspective to our portfolio companies.

Our aim is to provide long-term capital to high-quality community banking institutions as they pursue growth or acquisitions, or as part of a recapitalization or refinancing. Strong management and a shared strategic focus are at the core of our investment thesis. Our collaborative approach—supporting a strong core management team and board of directors, balancing risk and profitability, building market share through organic growth and acquisitions, and driving value creation—has proven successful. Over the past quarter of a century, Castle Creek’s extensive industry experience and track record in support of change have been important elements in improving the financial performance and investor returns of its portfolio banks.