In the early 1990s, while working in what was essentially the research and development arm of Silicon Valley Bank, Rob McMillan began looking into industries that were historically ‘under-banked’ and might represent an opportunity for his employer to stake a claim and build a significant presence.
‘The first idea I came up with was mortuaries', chuckles McMillan. ‘I presented all the data to the managing committee, and they only had one question for me: “Who’s going to want to work for you?”’
Fortunately for the California wine industry, McMillan was sent back to the drawing board with the instructions to...
