Document


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
The Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):  September 27, 2016

WESTERN ALLIANCE BANCORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware
001-32550
88-0365922
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation)
(Commission
File Number)
(IRS Employer
Identification No.)


One E. Washington Street, Phoenix, Arizona  85004
 (Address of principal executive offices)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (602) 389-3500

Not Applicable
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
⃞ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
⃞ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
⃞ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
⃞ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))




Item 5.02
Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

On September 27, 2016, the Western Alliance Bancorporation (“WAL”) Board of Directors (the “WAL Board”) expanded the size of the WAL Board by one seat and appointed Michael Patriarca to the WAL Board.

Mr. Patriarca will serve on the Audit Committee of the WAL Board. He will be compensated as a non-employee director of WAL in an amount of $150,000 per year (pro-rated for 2016) and is expected to receive a director equity award in 2017 that will also include shares for his service as a director in 2016.

There are no arrangements or understandings between Mr. Patriarca and any other person pursuant to which Mr. Patriarca will be designated to serve on the WAL Board. There has been no transaction nor are there any proposed transactions between WAL and Mr. Patriarca that would require disclosure pursuant to Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K.



SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
WESTERN ALLIANCE BANCORPORATION
(Registrant)

 
 
/s/ Dale Gibbons
 
 
Dale Gibbons
 
 
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Date: October 3, 2016