Alton, Ill.-based Liberty Bank announced the upcoming retirement of Dale Blachford. He has served as the bank’s president since 2004 and will be retiring at the end of November after more than 42 years in community banking. He will remain an active member of the bank’s board of directors.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed my 42-plus years as a community banker,” said Blachford. “The 14 years I have spent at Liberty Bank have been some of the most rewarding of my career. I have been blessed to work with and for some great people over the years, and I cherish working with my customers, our employees, and serving in our community.”
An active member in the community and in the banking industry, Blachford is the treasurer of the Illinois Bankers Association, serves on the executive committee and chairs the IBA’s ag committee. He was honored as IBA Bank of the Year in 2016. He is also chairman of the Gordon Moore Park Restoration Committee and serves on the Board of Growth Association.
“Dale has provided outstanding leadership for Liberty Bank, for our industry, and for our communities,” said P.J. Jun, a founding member of Liberty Bank’s board of directors and former owner of Jun Construction. “He had the wealth of experience we needed to help grow Liberty Bank into the successful community bank it is, and we are very grateful for his dedication and years of service. We wish him much success in his retirement, and are pleased to continue to benefit from his insight as a member of the bank’s board.”
The four-branch Liberty Bank operates as a division of the $2.4 billion United Community Bancorp’s United Community Bank. UCB bought the then-$328 million Liberty last year.