The Wisconsin Bankers Association announced Peter Knitt as its 2017 Community Banker of the Year. Knitt, former president and CEO of the Peoples State Bank in Wausau, Wis. Knitt retired from the bank at the beginning of 2018. The announcement was made Feb. 6 at the WBA’s Bank Executives Conference in Madison.
Knitt has spent more than 35 years in banking. He has held senior management or CEO roles at five Wisconsin banks, according to the WBA. Knitt joined Peoples State Bank in 2003 and became its president and CEO in 2006.
Under Knitt’s leadership, Peoples State Bank acquired two branches and opened a loan production office in Milwaukee. Peoples State Bank has ranked as a Top 200 Community Bank by American Banker magazine for eight consecutive years based on three-year average return on equity, according to the WBA.
In a news release at the time of Knitt’s retirement, PSB Chairman William Fish said: “We are thankful for Pete’s exceptional leadership during the past 11 years. He is a major reason PSB has experienced record profits and growth while maintaining a community bank focus.”
Since 2012, Knitt has served on the board of directors and loan committee of the Bankers’ Bank, Madison. He also is a former board member of the WBA.