"In the 1980s, Cole collected about $2 million from women by holding tea parties in order to form New Horizons Savings, the predecessor to Tamalpais Bank." - sfgate "Kit M. Cole, 66, is the Executive Chairman of Epic Bancorp and Chairman of Tamalpais Bank, a subsidiary of Epic Bancorp. Ms. Cole served as Chairman and CEO of Epic Bancorp since its inception in 1988 and as Chairman and Director of Tamalpais Bank since its inception in 1991. Ms. Cole was CEO of Tamalpais Bank from its inception until December 31, 2004. Ms. Cole was CEO of Epic Bancorp until July 1, 2006. In 1977, Ms. Cole established Kit Cole Investment Advisory Services to provide investment advisory and financial planning services, with a special focus on the needs of women and families. Ms. Cole retired as an active investment manager in 2005. In 1997, she was inducted into the Marin County Women's Hall of Fame. In 1998, Ms. Cole served as Chairman of the Marin Women's Commission, where she also co-chaired the Economic Resource Center Committee. Ms. Cole was the principal organizer of New Horizons Savings and Loan Association ("New Horizons") in 1978 and served as its first Chairman of the Board. She has co-founded two influential community organizations: the Wednesday Morning Dialogue, a group of one hundred community women, and Marin Forum, a group of fifty outstanding men and women community leaders. Ms. Cole is also Chairman Emeritus and a director of Circle Bank and New West Bancshares. Source: Tamalpais Bancorp on 04/27/2007 "