Appointments latest: New CEO at New Peoples

New Peoples Bank — Virginia-based New Peoples Bank has appointed JW Kiser as its next president and CEO, effective from December 1, 2023. He is currently chief banking officer and executive vice president.

In a planned transition, current CEO and president Todd Asbury will step down as the bank’s CEO but will continue to serve as the president and CEO of its holding company until May 31, 2024, and as a senior advisor for an additional year.

United Bankshares — Henry Kayes has been promoted to the position of executive officer of the $30 billion banking company. Kayes, currently the chief operating officer for its subsidiary United Bank, brings over 35 years of banking experience to the role, a career that includes founding Centra Bank Berkeley County in 2001. He led this company as president until it was acquired by United in 2011.

Agility Bank — Texas-based neobank Agility has appointed Rodney Nabors as chief lending officer. Agility was set up in 2022 as the first US bank to be primarily owned and led by women.

CEO Lauren Sparks said Nabors’ appointment was “a clear signal that men who support women in securing their financial goals are welcome at Agility”. Nabors, a veteran in Houston community banking, will specialize in structuring loans for small to medium-sized businesses and building strong client relationships.

New York Community Bancorp — The parent company to Flagstar Bank has appointed Julie Signorille-Browneas chief operating officer. With over three decades of banking experience, including her previous role as chief administrative officer at the company, Signorille-Browne will oversee various operations, including IT and human resources, and have responsibility for both Flagstar and Signature Bank conversions.

First Western Financial — The Colorado-headquartered parent company to First Western Trust, has announced executive promotions effective October 1, 2023. Julie Courkamp, currently chief financial officer (CFO) and chief operating officer (COO) of the company, will become president and COO of the bank while retaining her COO role in the company.

Meanwhile, David Weber, director of finance and treasury, will assume the position of CFO and treasurer for both the company and the bank, reporting to Courkamp. The moves were aimed at enhancing the organization’s ability to execute growth strategies and create long-term value, First Western said in a press release.

Sierra Bancorp — The California-based parent of Bank of the Sierra has appointed Natalia Coen as chief risk officer for both the company and the bank. Coen, with over 18 years of banking experience, previously served as chief risk and compliance officer for Gateway First Bank.

In addition, Hugh Boyle will continue as chief credit officer for Sierra Bancorp and Bank of the Sierra, focusing on credit and lending while supporting Coen in overseeing the enterprise risk management department, the company said.

Valley National Bank — The New Jersey bank has appointed Sanjay Sidhwani as its inaugural chief data and analytics officer. Sidhwani will lead the bank’s data strategy, data management, and advanced analytics capabilities to support strategic objectives.

With over 15 years of experience in banking and financial services, Sidhwani’s expertise will enhance the bank’s data-driven culture and digital transformation efforts, Valley National said in a statement. He previously worked at Santander Bank as executive vice president of data and analytics.

HomeTrust Bank — Lora Jex has assumed the role chief risk officer for HomeTrust Bancshares and its subsidiary HomeTrust Bank. With more than 20 years of experience in the banking and financial industry, Jex will oversee risk management related to compliance, operations, balance sheet management, and strategy, contributing to HomeTrust’s enterprise risk management approach.

Before joining HomeTrust, Jex was chief compliance officer at Southern First Bank and South State Bank in South Carolina.

Veritex Community Bank — Dominic Karaba has been appointed president and chief banking officer of Veritex Community Bank, effective September 18. He has more than 28 years of banking experience and previously served as UMB Financial Corporation’s president of commercial banking. In his new role Karaba will oversee all revenue lines of business and strategic revenue initiatives.

Live Oak Bank — William Losch III has been appointed president of North Carolina’s Live Oak Bank. He will continue in his existing role as chief financial officer of parent company Live Oak Bancshares. Losch has also worked as chief banking officer at Live Oak. He succeeds Huntley Garriott, who has served as president since 2018.

Equity Bank — The Kansas-headquartered bank’s parent company, Equity Bancshares, has promoted Krzysztof Slupkowski to the position of chief credit officer. Slupkowski, who has been with Equity since 2018, will oversee credit administration teams and support lending, service, and operations teams. He will succeed outgoing CCO John Creech, working alongside him during a planned transition period.

German American Bank — The Indiana-based bank has appointed Bradley Arnett as senior vice president, chief legal officer and corporate secretary, with effect from September 25. He joins from global law firm Dentons where he has focused on a range of financial services compliance and governance issues.

Esquire Bank — The New York-based bank has appointed Gary Lax as senior vice president, chief legal officer, and corporate secretary. With over 35 years of financial services experience, Lax brings valuable expertise to Esquire as it expands its footprint and financial services, the company said in a statement. He was previously a partner at law firm Luse Gorman.