Pros
Silicon Valley Bank is the market leader in providing banking services to venture capital backed technology and life science companies and venture capital firms that back them. SVB has a very strong brand, platform, and network of relationships that differentiates it from other banks and makes it relatively easy to sell to venture backed companies or those aspiring to be venture backed. Relative to other commercial banks, SVB can be more entrepreneurial and is willing to take some venture risk. SVB aspires to be a great company and a great place to work. The benefits are very good.
Cons
SVB is sometimes drunk on its own Kool Aid. Rapid growth has probably placed the bank in a situation where some policies and infrastructure is lacking for an oranization of its size. Career development and opportunities for career advancement are limited outside of divisional headquarters.