The bank signed a seven-year lease for the entire 23rd floor at40 Wall, which it plans to occupy by late February. Ken Churich, asenior director for Cushman & Wakefield in San Francisco, andJohn Moxley, a director in New York, represented the bank, said tobe the third largest commercial bank in California. Tishman RealEstate Services is the building manager for 40 Wall, also known asthe Trump Building at 40. Calls to the local Tishman office werenot returned.

A total of four C&W offices were involved in thesite-selection process, since the client was scouting alternativespaces in Midtown Manhattan and in New Jersey. "Since they'reheadquartered in San Francisco, we channeled all leads andinformation through the San Francisco office," reports Churich,"but we had Midtown brokers showing space in Midtown, New Jerseybrokers showing space in Jersey City and Downtown brokers showingspace Downtown. Within days of Sept. 11, we had shown Union Bankmore than 30 potential properties. At the end of the day, theychose Downtown."

According to Moxley, Union Bank did not want to leave thefinancial district. "They wanted to be close to Wall Street, theNew York Stock Exchange and clients," he states.