A family’s strong legacy at Bank of America

Three generations of Bank of America teammates: William Haynes, whose career spanned 1956–1976, his daughter Brenda Ewing who started with our company 49 years ago, and Brenda’s daughter Kimberly Ewing who began her career with our company seven years ago.

Brenda Ewing’s connection to Bank of America spans three generations and is rooted in California. From her father William Haynes’ 20 years of service with the company in Sacramento, to her own nearly five-decade career, and to her daughter Kim Ewing’s work supporting market executives in Northern California and Oregon, Brenda has seen how a job can become a career and a career can build a legacy.

A shared legacy and an exciting place to work

After graduating from high school in 1976, Brenda followed her father’s advice and considered a career at Bank of America. William joined the company in 1956 after serving 30 years in the U.S. Navy, and Brenda remembered:

“We do a lot of military hiring now, but when my father joined the team at the main cash vault in Sacramento, all his colleagues were veterans. He wore a bow tie every day because he didn’t want his tie to get caught in the cash drawer. When the California State Fair was on, the company set up a financial center on the fairgrounds and he managed it seven days a week. We got into the fair for free, and when we got hot and tired, we would go visit him.”

Brenda treasures her father’s cutter ship Bank of America pin, which he wore on his suit every day at work, including in the photo above. The pins were given to employees as anniversary gifts.

As a teenager, Brenda recalls driving into San Francisco with friends and passing 555 California Street, thinking it would be an exciting place to work. “I was hired as a teller in 1977 and worked at McClellan Air Force Base. In 2025, I joined The Private Bank in San Francisco and now work in that building. I pinch myself every day going to work there. When my daughter Kim needs to be in our San Francisco office, we drive in together and work in the same building.”

“I wasn’t done yet”

Brenda has served clients through a variety of roles in California, including positions in legacy U.S. Trust fiduciary services, where she was responsible for appraising estate assets such as historical letters, jewelry and stock certificates. She spent 30 years in mortgage and also worked in process design.

In 2010, she earned a bachelor’s degree in business management with support from our tuition assistance program. After retiring in 2011, she returned in 2012 to help develop procedures for mortgage modifications. “I wasn’t done yet,” she said. “I like to work and felt like I had more to do.”

Her career at Bank of America began 49 years ago, with a few interruptions along the way. Today, Brenda serves as an administrative assistant supporting Gioia McCarthy, San Francisco Private Bank market executive and president of Bank of America San Francisco/East Bay.

“There’s so much more to what this company offers”

Brenda enjoys sharing stories about Bank of America’s impact on clients and communities. “The company does so much, and there’s so much more to what it offers than many people realize,” she said.

Reflecting on her family legacy, Brenda says that she thinks her father would be proud of what she’s been able to accomplish. “For him, the company offered a good job and a way to provide for his family after leaving the Navy. For me, it has become much more than a job. Now, my daughter is building her own career, challenging herself and continuing to grow. I’m excited because the door is open for her here.”

Do you have a story that reflects Bank of America's legacy?

Our legacy has been shaped by generations of teammates who have served clients, supported communities and helped one another succeed. It is reflected in the relationships we've built, the milestones we've achieved and the impact we've made over time.

If you have a story, memory or reflection about what Bank of America's legacy means to you, we'd love to hear it. Whether it's a meaningful experience from your career, a lesson that stayed with you or a moment that captures the spirit of our company, please share your idea by emailing us at alumni.network@bofa.com.