Appointments: New Leader for Relaunched SVB Commercial

First Citizens Bank/SVB Commercial — Silicon Valley Bank’s former chief credit officer Marc Cadieux has been appointed president of its commercial banking business following the bank’s acquisition by First Citizens.

Under its new ownership, SVB Commercial is seeking to continue serving specialist sectors such as technology, life sciences, healthcare, private equity, and venture capital. It has more than 1,000 staff nationwide.

Exchange Bank — The California-headquartered bank has made several appointments in recent weeks, including a new chief operating officer and chief financial officer.

Shari Maris has been appointed COO, overseeing day-to-day operations. She was previously CFO since joining Exchange Bank in 2020.

Succeeding Maris as CFO is Charlotte Radmilovic. She joins from Pacific Valley Bank where she was also CFO, and she has held senior finance and accounting positions at several other banks in California.

Meanwhile, Paul Yeomans has been appointed senior lending officer at Exchange Bank. This is an expansion of his previous role as wholesale banking sales manager, and will see him oversee the newly combined Commercial Banking and Construction and Mortgage Lending departments.

US Century Bank — CEO and president Luis de la Aguilera has taken on the additional role of board chairman of Florida-based US Century Bank. He succeeds Aida Levitan, who has been in the role since 2017 and will continue as a board member.

Bank of Texas — Bank of Texas is seeking to expand into San Antonio for the first time, and has appointed Parker Hensley as regional president.

In addition, Mark Johnson is to serve as chairman of the San Antonio business. He joins from Texas Capital Bank where he spent 20 years, most recently as managing director and vice chairman. Johnson has also held senior positions at National Bancshares Corporation of Texas.

Hensley moves to Bank of Texas from Amegy Bank, where he was senior vice president and team lead for commercial and corporate banking in San Antonio.

RBB Bancorp — Johnny Lee has joined the California-based group as president and chief banking officer of Royal Business Bank and its parent company RBB Bancorp.

Lee was previously senior managing director and head of international and commercial banking at East West Bank, and held several other senior positions during a 10-year spell.

Merchants & Marine Bancorp — The Mississippi-headquartered banking group has appointed Antonio Davis as its chief risk officer. He joins from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, where he was a supervisory examiner in the corporation’s Jackson, Mississippi office.

In his new role, Davis will oversee regulatory affairs and Merchant & Marine’s enterprise risk management division.

Finward Bancorp/Peoples Bank — Indiana-based Finward Bancorp, parent to Peoples Bank, has named David Kwait as senior vice president, general counsel, corporate secretary, and chief risk officer of both entities.

Kwait has worked at Peoples Bank since 2011, initially as staff attorney, legal counsel, and wealth management officer. His most recent position was chief wealth management officer.

Kwait replaces Lynette Klemm as CRO, who held the position on an interim basis. She remains as director of audit for Peoples Bank.

The National Bank of Coxsackie — Charlene Slemp is the New York bank’s new chief lending officer, transitioning from her current position of chief credit officer.

Slemp joined National Bank of Coxsackie in 2019. The bank recently opened a commercial loan production and administrative office aimed at serving businesses in the greater Capital District of Latham, New York.

American Riviera Bank — California’s American Riviera Bank has a new board chair and vice chair. Following its annual general meeting in June, Lawrence Koppelman has stepped down as chairperson after 17 years in the position. A founder of American Riviera Bank in 2006, Koppelman has taken on the position of “board member at large”.

Darren Caesar, who has been vice chairperson for 17 years, has taken over from Koppelman as board chairperson. Caesar is currently president of the California Commercial Division of HUB International, a national insurance brokerage.

Dr Elizabeth Cholawsky has been elected vice chairperson. She has served on the board for four years, and is CEO of data technology company HG Insights.

Capital Bank — Maryland’s Capital Bank has hired Jay Walker as chief financial officer. He joins from Seacoast Bank where he worked for more than 12 years, most recently as treasurer and head of corporate strategy.

Heritage Bank of Commerce — The Californian bank’s chief credit officer Margo Butsch is to retire after eight years of service. Heritage Bank of Commerce said it would appoint a replacement in due course once an executive search is complete.

Greater Nevada Credit Union — GNCU has promoted Danny DeLaRosa to president and CEO with effect from July 1, 2023. He was previously the credit union’s chief experience officer, and has worked at GNCU since 2019.

North Carolina State Employees’ Credit Union — Leigh Brady is the new CEO of the State Employees’ Credit Union (SECU). She was previously chief operating officer, and has worked for SECU for 35 years in a variety of positions. Brady succeeds Jim Hayes, who resigned his post.