Robert Horsman, US Bank's regional chairman in San Diego, called the transaction "wonderful news" for the employees and customers who have come to US Bank from San Diego National Bank, as well as for the community.

"This building has a special place in many hearts," Horsman, the former president and chief executive officer of San Diego National Bank, said in a statement. "The decision to make this location a cornerstone of US Bank's operations in San Diego demonstrates a true blending of cultures as we move forward and create new successes together."

US Bank currently occupies 81,000 square feet of 1420 Kettner, which was built in 1984. The institution plans to increase the amount of space it occupies as certain business lines grow and relocate to the building. New US Bank signage will appear on the building at the time that the San Diego National Bank conversion takes place. Terms of the sale, which was a direct deal between the bank and the FDIC, were undisclosed.

The Wyland mural, depicting five gray whales migrating down the California coast on their way to Mexico, is visible from the Interstate 5 Freeway and from the planes flying in and out of San Diego International Airport. In 1981―the same year San Diego National Bank went into business―Wyland began painting "Whaling Walls" to create awareness not only for the whales but also for their endangered ocean habitats.

The artist's goal was to paint 100 Whaling Walls around the world. The mural he painted in 1994 at 1420 Kettner Blvd. was his 64th.