Brattleboro Savings & Loan names Stephenson president

0

Vermont Business Magazine After a search that spanned across states and regions, Brattleboro Savings & Loan is pleased to welcome Deborah Stephenson as President. Deb joins us, most recently, from Berkshire Bank, but brings a rich history in the banking industry and a deep appreciation for communities in southeastern Vermont. Dan Yates, president of BS&L for 17 years, is about to take a well-deserved retirement at the end of this year.

Deb comes to us from Berkshire Bank, where she served as Senior Vice President for Compliance and was instrumental in growing their banking assets from $2 billion to $13 billion at the time she left. to join BS&L. Growing up in Adams, MA, Deb took her college degree in economics and finance in public service as a bank examiner for the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). Seeing so many banks from the inside helped her learn the fundamentals of banking as well as become an expert in risk management and compliance.

His first job outside of government was at Woronoco Savings Bank in Westfield, MA, where they suffered from compliance issues that did not allow them to grow as they wanted. Deb solved the problems in six months and the bank started to prosper. It became a specialty of Deb which followed her throughout her career, taking her to Berkshire Bank and now BS&L.

Although she has been the engine of incredible growth, what drew her to this role at BS&L is more than that.

“I love what I do and I’m proud of all that my teams have achieved,” said Deb, “however, I’m at a point in my career where my values ​​need to align with the bank and the community. I serve and that’s what brought me here.” Deb sees both the challenge and the opportunity for BS&L to remain a mutual bank and a B Corporation® – two things that stood out and drew her to this role. “BS&L stands out as a mutual bank owned by stakeholders rather than shareholders,” said Deb, “We are the last to stand against the powerful stock banks and our path forward is clear: to be the bank that builds community.”

“It was a very rigorous search for us,” said Carmen Derby, chair of the board of BS&L. “We were expecting great candidates, but we were a little surprised at the interest there was in taking on this role at BS&L. Time and time again, candidates spoke about the values ​​of the bank and the communities it serves, which means we are doing something really good. For Deb, values ​​are at the center of everything she has done in her career.

“I loved my career, but every decision I made always had to be compatible with my family and their needs,” Deb said. Deb’s two daughters, aged 21 and 23, play football like their mother – the youngest currently plays at Merrimack College – and Deb looks forward to more outdoor activities in the area. “I’ve always enjoyed being with my friends and family and hiking. Hopefully my husband and I will be snowshoeing this winter as well,” Deb said.

As for what is her top priority as the new President and CEO, Deb says meeting people and listening is her top priority.

“This bank is special and it’s not my goal to come in and start changing things,” Deb said. “Unlike many other banks I’ve joined, I’m not here to ‘fix’ BS&L, but to build on the things that already make it an amazing bank and a true community bank.” For the first two months, Deb will be riding Dan Yates and hopes to glean as much information and institutional knowledge as possible to continue the good things that have come to represent BS&L, “I’m excited and humbled by this opportunity and hope we can maintaining who we are in a way that is authentic to this bank and this community I want us to become a vibrant and resilient community bank.

About Brattleboro Savings & Loan
Brattleboro Savings & Loan was established in 1912 to meet the financial needs of local residents. Today, as a state-chartered mutual savings bank and Certified B Corporation®, BS&L has expanded its reach to provide a full range of commercial and consumer banking services, with branches in Brattleboro, Wilmington and Bondville , and a mortgage office in West Dover. The Bank’s wealth management division, Park Place Financial Advisors, provides investment and financial planning services.

Savings and Loan Brattleboro 23.11.2022.

Share.

Comments are closed.