Three SMBC MANUBANK Colleagues Named to Top 100 Bankers List by the Los Angeles Business Journal

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 28, 2025--

Showcasing SMBC MANUBANK’s broad range of commercial banking expertise, three of the bank’s veteran leaders joined the elite ranks of Top 100 Bankers in Los Angeles announced by the Los Angeles Business Journal (LABJ).

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Those recognized among the region’s premier talent include Daniel Rogerson, MD, Co-Head of Commercial Finance; Subbu Viswanathan, MD, Head of Franchise Finance; and Bryan Flores, Director, Specialty Deposits.

This is a new award category from the LABJ. To be included in the inaugural Top 100 list is a testament to the impactful support and effective solutions these dedicated bankers consistently provide their clients—skillfully meeting the diverse financial needs of businesses helping to drive economic growth across Southern California and nationwide.

“It’s gratifying to see our colleagues honored for their contributions to the ongoing success of our clients and the organization,” said Hillary Savoie, Chief Banking Officer at SMBC MANUBANK. “I’m tremendously proud of Daniel, Subbu, and Bryan for earning this distinction and representing the bank in such a positive way.”

To commemorate the achievement, SMBC MANUBANK leaders celebrated with Mr. Rogerson, Mr. Viswanathan, and Mr. Flores during a VIP awards reception on May 15 hosted at the LABJ headquarters. The bank was a Platinum Sponsor of this event to further highlight the team’s inclusion alongside other LA banking industry luminaries. SMBC MANUBANK’s three winners were featured in the Top 100 Bankers special issue of the LABJ print and digital editions published on May 19.

ABOUT SMBC MANUBANK

SMBC MANUBANK is a wholly owned subsidiary of SMBC Americas Holdings, Inc., a member of SMBC Group—a global leader in finance and innovation. SMBC MANUBANK delivers tailored financial solutions, combined with first-class technology and a client-first service model. Our trusted advisors bring decades of commercial banking experience in diversified industries and specialty banking. SMBC MANUBANK’s digital division, Jenius Bank™, offers consumers tools and insights to better manage their personal finances and grow wealth. Headquartered in Los Angeles, California, SMBC MANUBANK also has offices in Beverly Hills, Brea, Encino, Glendale, Newport Beach, San Jose, Torrance, and Woodland Hills. For more information, visit www.smbcmanubank.com. Member FDIC.

(L-R): Subbu Viswanathan, MD, Head of Franchise Finance; Daniel Rogerson, MD, Co-Head of Commercial Finance; and Bryan Flores, Director, Specialty Deposits received "Top 100 Bankers" awards at a VIP reception hosted by the Los Angeles Business Journal and sponsored by SMBC MANUBANK on May 15, 2025.

PARIS (AP) — A Paris court is to rule on Monday in a case involving 10 people accused of cyberbullying French first lady Brigitte Macron by spreading false online claims about her gender and sexuality, allegations her daughter said damaged her health and family life.

The defendants, eight men and two women aged 41 to 60, are accused of posting “numerous malicious comments” falsely claiming that President Emmanuel Macron ’s wife was born a man and linking the 24-year age gap with her husband to pedophilia. Some of the posts were viewed tens of thousands of times.

Brigitte Macron did not attend the two-day trial in October.

Her daughter, Tiphaine Auzière, testified about what she described as the “deterioration” of her mother’s life since the online harassment intensified. “She cannot ignore the horrible things said about her,” Auzière told the court. She said the impact has extended to the entire family, including Macron’s grandchildren.

Defendant Delphine Jegousse, 51, who is known as Amandine Roy and describes herself as a medium and an author, is considered as having played a major role in spreading the rumor after she released a four-hour video on her YouTube channel in 2021.

The X account of Aurélien Poirson-Atlan, 41, known as Zoé Sagan on social media, was suspended in 2024 after his name was cited in several judicial investigations.

Other defendants include an elected official, a teacher and a computer scientist. Several told the court their comments were intended as humor or satire and said they did not understand why they were being prosecuted. They face up to two years in prison if convicted.

The case follows years of conspiracy theories falsely alleging that Brigitte Macron was born under the name Jean-Michel Trogneux, which is actually the name of her brother. The Macrons have also filed a defamation suit in the United States against conservative influencer Candace Owens.

The Macrons, who have been married since 2007, first met at the high school where he was a student and she was a teacher. Brigitte Macron, 24 years her husband’s senior, was then called Brigitte Auzière, a married mother of three.

Emmanuel Macron, 48, has been France’s president since 2017.

FILE - French President's wife Brigitte Macron arrives ahead of the ceremony outside "La Belle Equipe" bar, Thursday Nov. 13, 2025 in Paris as part of ceremonies marking the 10th anniversary of terrorist attacks. (Ludovic Marin, Pool photo via AP, File)