Aleese Peterson-Cotton is a Vice President and Private Client Advisor with Bank of America Private Bank in San Francisco, California. Aleese works closely with high-net-worth individuals and families to help optimize and manage their wealth. By identifying a client’s primary goals and needs, Aleese and her team coordinate local resources and the national capabilities of Bank of America Enterprise to help clients reach their objectives. She leads a team of Bank of America Private Bank specialists who work in concert to design and implement tailored financial strategies in trust and estate planning services, liquidity-event strategies, investment management, lending and philanthropy.

Aleese has worked in the financial services industry for more than 19 years. She has worked for Bank of America over 14 years – including nearly five years with Bank of America Private Bank (formerly U.S. Trust). Her initial 10 years with Bank of America was in consumer and small business banking, residential mortgage, and as a manager of Preferred banking centers throughout San Diego County. Prior to rejoining the Private Bank in 2022, she served as an Advisor and a Director for two Registered Investment Advisors in the Bay Area. This helped give her additional experience and insights into the unique wealth management needs of high-net-worth individuals and families, particularly in the areas of investment management and real estate finance.

Originally from Northern California, Aleese attended Cal Poly-Humboldt and later, University of Phoenix in San Diego, California. She earned a Bachelor of Science in business finance, and has continued to take financial planning courses through U.C.-Berkeley Extension.

Fascinated by financial technology, and passionate about teaching financial literacy, Aleese also applies her leaderships skills to helping Bay Area communities through financial empowerment programs and volunteerism. She has served critical needs organizations, such as Feeding America and Rescue Missions, in various capacities since 2004.

Aleese currently resides in San Francisco and enjoys traveling as much as possible.