[favorited]

The bank's owners were its shareholders, and it was publicly traded. Literally anyone could own a share of it.

https://www.google.com/finance/quote/SIVB:NASDAQ

[JetSpiegel]

How can you get the money to buy the shares, if you are a regular worker? Maybe get a loan from a bank?

[joegibbs]

It was trading at about $200 a share, you don't need a loan to be a shareholder. Besides, you can get fractional shares so even if $200 is too much you could still be a shareholder.

[AnnikaL]

You might save money, or your employer or government might invest money for your pension in the bank's stock.

[Robotbeat]

Lots of normal people own stocks. You can save money and invest it for retirement, etc. It’s risky because… Well… Public companies you invest money in can go bankrupt.