HANNAH DESPRES

Hi, I'm Hannah Despres — a Relationship Manager with TD Commercial Banking in Victoria, BC. I've spent the past seven years in commercial banking, working with business owners across a wide range of industries and helping them navigate growth, financing, and major business decisions.

I started my career in commercial banking straight out of university in Toronto in 2019. After taking a year to travel, I returned to TD in 2024, joining the Calgary commercial team before moving to Victoria in 2025 to take on my current role.

What drew me to commercial banking is the fact that no two businesses are the same. I work with everything from construction companies and professional practices to technology companies, manufacturers, real estate businesses, transportation companies, fishing operations, and more. TD's diversified approach means I get to work across industries rather than specializing in one vertical, which has given me exposure to a broad range of business models and challenges.

Today, I manage a senior commercial portfolio on Vancouver Island, working alongside business owners to support their day-to-day operations while helping them plan for what's next. That can mean financing an acquisition, purchasing equipment or real estate, funding growth, restructuring existing debt, or simply having a conversation about where the business is headed.

Outside of work, I'm passionate about travel, being outdoors, reading, yoga, and exploring everything Vancouver Island has to offer.

I work primarily with established business owners and professional practices across Vancouver Island.

I help business owners with the financing and banking needs that come with running and growing a business — from cash management services, operating lines, and cash-flow financing to commercial mortgages, equipment financing, acquisitions, management buyouts, dividend recapitalizations, and letters of credit and guarantees.

I'm also often involved when a business owner is making a bigger strategic decision: buying another company, investing in real estate, transitioning ownership, restructuring debt, or planning for the next stage of the business.

Commercial banking can sometimes feel like it's about finding a box that a business fits into. My approach is the opposite: I start by understanding the business and what the owner is trying to accomplish, then work backwards to find the right solution.

I've spent much of my seven years at TD working on senior portfolios and more complex commercial structures. That experience has taught me how to look beyond the immediate financing request and understand the broader picture — cash flow, existing debt, assets, ownership, growth plans, and the risks and opportunities that come with them.

• I look for solutions, not just products. A business owner's needs don't always fit neatly into a standard financing structure, and I enjoy working through the details to find creative and practical ways forward.
• I'm accessible and relationship-driven. My clients have a direct partner who understands their business and can help navigate the bank when things get complicated — someone they can call when they're thinking through an opportunity, not just when they need a loan.
• I connect the dots. Business owners rarely need just a banker. They often need accountants, lawyers, wealth advisors, insurance professionals, or real estate professionals too. I enjoy bringing the right people into the conversation when it helps a client move forward.
• I bring a broad perspective. Because I work with businesses across so many industries, I see what's happening across the market and learn from the challenges and opportunities different owners are facing.

Ultimately, I want to be a trusted resource for business owners — someone who understands where they're trying to go, helps them navigate the financial side of getting there, and brings the right people to the table along the way.