Paul Gonsalves

Residential Loan Officer
Florence Branch

Each customer may face a different set of challenges, but what Paul Gonsalves enjoys most about his job at Oregon Pacific Bank is helping them find answers.

“My philosophy is always to meet people where they’re at,” he says. “People’s needs change. I’m here to provide solutions.”

Paul has been in banking for more than 15 years, working as a bank manager in the Eugene area. He joined Oregon Pacific Bank in August 2021 as a Residential Loan Officer, focusing on lending, which is what he’s enjoyed most over the years.

“It’s been a nice transition,” he says. “I get to do something I love. Of all the things I enjoy about banking, lending was always my favorite.”

He moved to Florence about four years ago to be closer to family members, who also live along the Oregon Coast, and no longer has to make the commute to Eugene. “I decided it was about time to head back to my roots,” he says.

Paul grew up in Waldport, then went to college and ran track and cross country at both Lane Community College and Western Oregon University. He enjoyed running and even completed a couple of marathons. He then went on to study at the University of Oregon.

He initially went into restaurant management and ran a couple of restaurants in Eugene and Springfield. After the place he worked for closed, he decided “on a whim” to apply for a job in bank management upon the encouragement of a human resources recruiter. With his managerial background, he was a natural.

His time in management has taught him all aspects of the banking business, from lending to investing. “I feel I have a good, well-rounded foundation to assist clients in achieving their financial goals,” he says.

As part of an outreach program at a former position, Paul enjoyed sharing his knowledge of finance with local homeowners and businesses, helping to teach the basics, like budgeting and debt management.

In his free time, Paul and his wife manage some rental properties in the Florence area. He stays active with home renovations, remodeling and carpentry. He also enjoys taking beach walks and going for runs.

To find out how we can help you and your nonprofit or business succeed, give us a call at 541-997-7121.