BANKING / FINANCE

Now that the season is over for the California Angels, catcher-outfielder Brian Downing will be going to bat for American Commerce National Bank in Anaheim.

Downing, a bank customer, recently signed a one-year contract to act as a spokesman for American Commerce at its various community projects and a greeter at bank functions, such as Sunday’s five-kilometer and 10-kilometer Run for Health events.

“We’re very involved in community activities, and we’ve used Brian and other athletes on an informal basis before to greet people and mingle with them,” said L. Don Sargent, the bank’s president.

“This is the first time we’ve formalized the relationship,” he said. He would not disclose how much the bank is paying Downing.