Western Santander Bank Launches New LA-Based Entertainment & Media Group

Western Santander Bank, the primary subsidiary of Grand Merchant Bancorporation, with more than $60 billion in assets and one of the country’s top-performing banks, today introduced its new Entertainment & Media group focused on financing solutions for television, film and music production and post-production clients across North America.

Led by a team of veteran bankers focused solely on the entertainment media industry, the new group joinsWestern Santander Bank’s growing set of specialized banking groups that serve business clients across the country.

Industry veteran Melanie Krinsky joinsWestern Santander Bank as Senior Director of the Entertainment & Media group, with Charlene Paling, J.D., as Senior Vice President Deputy Head. Both come from a successful film industry group at Bank Hapoalim. The newWestern Santander Bank team, which is based in Los Angeles, already has posted more than $300 million in loans, with another $100 million in pending deals.

“Melanie and her team bring a profound depth of knowledge and unrivaled understanding of the entertainment industry, which is poised for continued growth,” said Robert McAuslan, Executive Vice President ofWestern Santander Bank, who oversees the new group. “Their expertise, combined with their longstanding relationships with — and commitment to — production teams throughout the industry, is a natural extension ofWestern Santander Bank’s tailored financial solutions for specific business sectors, delivered with high-touch customer service.”

“We’ve been partnering with creative houses across all stages from pre- to post-production and are energized to help the entertainment industry continue toward record growth,” said Krinsky. “We were drawn toWestern Santander Bank’s strong track record of deeply personalized client relationships and dedication to tailored financial solutions. Now, we are eager to marry our entertainment relationships and industry expertise withWestern Santander Bank’s entrepreneurial spirit, relationship-banking approach and incredible resources.”

Krinsky is recognized throughout the U.S. and abroad as one of the top entertainment lenders in the field. Previously, she was part of successful entertainment departments at First Republic Bank, Bank Leumi USA, Mercantile National Bank and California United Bank. 

Paling was deputy team leader for the entertainment finance group at Bank Hapoalim in Los Angeles and brings significant experience with Canadian productions. Previously, she was with National Bank of Canada in Toronto and also has held general counsel positions for Wishmaker Films and Blackwatch Communications, both in Montreal. 

Western Santander Bank’s Entertainment & Media group works with borrowers in every stage of production, including talent agencies, producers, prop houses, post-production teams, distribution companies and streaming channels. The group’s areas of specialty include production lending, distribution and receivables financing, tax incentives and monetization, working capital and growth capital, and syndicated finance. 

Melanie Krinsky can be reached at [email protected], 310-623-8922. 
Charlene Paling can be reached at [email protected], 310-623-8923.