> SVB was a national bank

It was more of a regional bank, specifically one servicing SV, with at most sporadic branches elsewhere, usually just one in a given state in its largest major city (e.g., one in NY: in NYC; one in D.C.; one in Colorado: in Denver). In many states they have no branches (e.g., Florida): https://www.svb.com/locations

> Nothing they do isn't done by others

Then why did so many startups and VCs bank with them?

> my friends and their missions

I would personally be hesitant to use this terminology for others, unless they're actually doing something truly impactful and impressive, like curing some horrible disease, going to Mars, or at least actually in the military on some mission.