Bell Bank hired Liam Higgins as senior vice president of commercial banking and nonprofit banking team lead.  Higgins has more than 20 years of experience in the financial services sector, the majority of which through working with nonprofits and government entities. He was most recently vice president of nonprofit and commercial banking at Bremer Bank, … Read more

Brookfield, Wis.-based First Business Bank promoted Chase Kostichka to senior vice president-commercial real estate banking.  Kostichka has more than 15 years of work in financial services. He joined First Business Bank after spending seven years with M&I/BMO Harris Bank, Chicago.  Kostichka graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. He … Read more

St. Paul, Minn.-based Bremer Bank recently named Justin Butler as chief risk officer. Butler, who has spent nearly two decades in risk management strategy, is a former senior vice president at Wells Fargo. He attended Saint Louis University, St. Louis, and Northwestern University-Kellogg School of Management, Evanston, Ill.   “[Butler] is a strong and tenured leader … Read more

Lindsay Spitzer was promoted to president and CEO of Galesville, Wis.-based Bluff View Bank. Spitzer will replace the retiring Scott Kopp. Kopp will remain in the office on a part-time basis as he continues on as chair.   Spitzer began her career at the $126 million, western Wisconsin bank in 2012 as an operations manager. “On … Read more

Billings, Mont.-based First Interstate BancSystem, Inc., appointed Ashley Hayslip as executive vice president, chief banking officer of First Interstate Bank.  Hayslip previously worked at Umpqua Bank, Portland, Ore., in a  variety of leadership positions, most recently as EVP, community and business banking. She’s also served in leadership positions at Bank of the West, San Francisco, … Read more

Manitowoc, Wis.-based Bank First promoted Sharol Schroeder and Brad Lighthall.  Schroeder was promoted to senior vice president-human resources. She joined Bank First in 1989 as a teller and started working in the HR department five years later. She has a bachelor’s degree in business with an HR emphasis from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay.  Lighthall … Read more

Archbold, Ohio-based Farmers & Merchants Bank appointed Eric Faust as senior vice president and chief risk officer and promoted Chief Administrative Officer Benét Rupp to executive vice president. Faust will serve on the $267 million bank’s executive team. He was most recently first vice president, director of risk management at Northstar Financial Group, Wyoming, Mich. … Read more

Springfield, Mo.-based Guaranty Bank named Fred Osborn senior vice president, commercial banking manager for the Joplin, Mo., region. Osborn has been with the $2 billion bank since 2019 and has more than 35 years of work in commercial banking, lending and wealth management. Osborn has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Kansas, Lawrence, and … Read more

Tammy Malatok joined Michigan-based Sturgis Bank as vice president, mortgage loan originator. Malatok has worked in financial services for more than 30 years. She provides mortgage origination services for both first-time homebuyers and seasoned buyers and handles loans for vacation homes and second homes, investment properties and construction.   “I have worked for a number of … Read more

Lincoln, Neb.-based West Gate Bank promoted Kay Bartek to senior vice president, retail banking. Bartek is taking over for Doug Carey who is retiring at the end of 2022 following a 45-year career in the banking industry, including the last 20 years at the $1 billion West Gate where he led the retail banking team.  … Read more