Skip to main content

Looking for Valuant? You are in the right place!

Valuant is now Abrigo, giving you a single source to Manage Risk and Drive Growth

Make yourself at home – we hope you enjoy your new web experience.

Looking for DiCOM? You are in the right place!

DiCOM Software is now part of Abrigo, giving you a single source to Manage Risk and Drive Growth. Make yourself at home – we hope you enjoy your new web experience.

Looking for TPG Software? You are in the right place!

TPG Software is now part of Abrigo. You can continue to count on the world-class Investment Accounting software and services you’ve come to expect, plus all that Abrigo has to offer.

Make yourself at home – we hope you enjoy being part of our community.

Photo of Laurel Sykes

Laurel Sykes

EVP, Chief Risk Officer

With over 30 years’ experience in the banking industry, Laurel currently serves as EVP, Chief Risk Officer for American Riviera Bank. She leads the Bank’s consumer compliance and anti-money laundering/financial crimes divisions, and oversees the Human Resources, Marketing and Product Management functions. Ms. Sykes has comprehensive executive-level experience in risk management, and specializes in governance, internal audit, BSA/AML, compliance, CRA, financial privacy, fair lending, fraud management and elder financial abuse prevention, vendor management, business continuity planning, and human resources management.

Ms. Sykes is an expert at building effective compliance programs and establishing internal controls for financial institutions as they exceed thresholds requiring more complex regulatory oversight, including the CRA, FDICIA and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, and governance requirements mandated by the Dodd Frank Act.  She has demonstrated a track record as a change catalyst helping institutions effectively adapt to new and changing regulations since 1997.  She designed efficient systems for compliance with the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act and has led the effort to establish several BSA/AML programs for banks following increased regulatory scrutiny post-9/11.   She is also adept in labor laws related to federal and California state requirements.

Ms. Sykes is ARB’s Security Officer, and a member of the Central Coast Scams Against Seniors working group, which is co-facilitated by the FBI and the Santa Barbara District Attorney’s Office.  She is also a member of the National Adult Protection Services Association’s Financial Exploitation Advisory Board. American Riviera Bank recently received a Community Commitment Award from the ABA in the Protecting Older Americans category, honoring the Bank’s financial elder abuse and fraud prevention program.

Ms. Sykes graduated with a degree in Business Economics from UCSB and holds a CRCM designation. She attained her Juris Master’s in Financial Regulation and Compliance from Florida State University in 2024.