Western Alliance Bank has been named a Lyons Den Awardee by the Arizona Bar Foundation for its work in supporting access to justice through the Interest on Lawyers’ Trust Accounts (IOLTA) program. The award recognizes banks that partner with the foundation to demonstrate strong, ongoing support of IOLTA. The Lyons Den list is named after George Lyons, an Arizona attorney who emphasized the importance of collaboration between IOLTA institutions and the Foundation.

Western Alliance Bank will be honored at the Foundation’s Annual Awards luncheon at the State Bar’s convention in Tucson on June 25, 2026. Paul Hawkins, managing director of Western Alliance Bank’s Juris Banking Group, stated that funds from IOLTA accounts are a powerful way to ensure justice is served.

Beyond its IOLTA work, Western Alliance Bank collaborates with nearly 200,000 Arizona students through Junior Achievement to provide a foundation in personal finance and career readiness. The bank’s access to justice initiatives include Digital Disbursements, a proprietary technology platform designed to combat fraud and improve payment options for claimants in class action settlements.

The Arizona Foundation for Legal Services & Education provides technical and financial assistance to legal aid organizations, schools, and community groups. It promotes access to justice for all Arizonans by supporting law-related education and free legal services.

Western Alliance Bancorporation is a top-performing banking company with $90 billion in assets. Its primary subsidiary, Western Alliance Bank, Member FDIC, offers tailored business banking solutions and consumer products. The bank has ranked as a top U.S. bank by American Banker and Bank Director since 2016.

Western Alliance Bank has strengthened its national commercial real estate (CRE) lending platform with the appointment of Matthew Leivian as senior managing director of the Institutional Commercial Real Estate Finance team. Based in Phoenix, Leivian will lead efforts to build and grow a high-quality institutional loan portfolio. His hiring underscores the bank's strategy to expand its presence in the institutional CRE market nationwide.

Leivian will be responsible for originating and structuring a variety of financing solutions, including construction, acquisition, bridge, and mini-permanent loans. His team will serve commercial real estate clients across the United States, focusing on delivering tailored financing options to institutional investors.

Ericka LeMaster, head of Institutional Commercial Real Estate Finance for Western Alliance, highlighted the value of Leivian's expertise. "With more than two decades of banking experience and deep roots in commercial real estate lending, Matt strengthens our ability to serve institutional clients and grow this business with discipline," LeMaster said. She noted his track record in complex transactions and industry relationships will benefit clients navigating the current market.

Leivian brings 22 years of banking experience, including 15 years dedicated to CRE lending. He previously spent nearly two decades at National Bank of Arizona, where he specialized in originating and structuring large, complex commercial real estate transactions. His work has involved collaborating with investors, developers, and owners on financing solutions secured by industrial, office, multifamily, retail, and self-storage assets.

Key Details of the Appointment

Leivian expressed confidence in Western Alliance's market position. "Western Alliance has built a strong reputation for execution and client focus in commercial real estate finance," he said. "I look forward to growing our institutional portfolio and delivering financing solutions to meet the needs of institutional real estate investors."

Western Alliance Commercial Real Estate, a national banking group within Western Alliance Bank, provides CRE and construction financing across all asset classes and markets. The bank's parent company, Western Alliance Bancorporation, holds $90 billion in assets and operates offices nationwide.