Posts by Adam Eckels
AJ Consultants Places SVP Head of Trust & Fiduciary Services at New Horizon Bank
AJ Consultants is pleased to have led the search and placement for the SVP Head of Trust & Fiduciary Services with New Horizon Bank. Michelle Meek-Martinez will lead the launch of this new business line at the bank. As part of its continued strategy, New Horizon Bank engaged AJ Consultants to identify a leader capable…
Read MoreAJ Consultants Places EVP Chief Technology Officer at New Horizon Bank
AJ Consultants is pleased to announce the successful conclusion to a very unique search. The placement of EVP Chief Technology Officer for New Horizon Technology. As New Horizon continues to invest in innovation and digital transformation, the organization partnered with AJ Consultants to identify a forward-thinking technology leader capable of shaping and executing its long-term…
Read MoreAJ Consultants Places Director Consumer Compliance Advisory at MVB
AJ Consultants is proud to have placed MVB Bank’s Director of Consumer Compliance Advisory. In the role, Doyle Murphy brings a unique array of skills to the table. As MVB continues to grow and navigate an evolving regulatory landscape, they partnered with AJ Consultants to identify a compliance leader capable of strengthening advisory capabilities and…
Read MoreBuilding Resilient Leadership Pipelines for Sustained Business Growth
Consistent, decades-long growth is no small feat. It requires both intense strategic planning and consistency in execution, both of which are a direct outcome of strong leadership. Without resilient pipelines to source quality executives who can carry through on the ambitions of their predecessors, banks and financial institutions inevitably stall out. Unfortunately, right now executive…
Read MoreExternal Search vs. Internal Promotion: Which Executive Recruitment Approach is More Effective in 2026?
Despite the hype around chief AI officers and chief data officers taking over the C-suite, the truly acute need for executive talent (at least in banking and financial institutions) lies with more familiar roles: chief finance officers, chief accounting officers, controllers, etc. Many companies experiencing either planned or unexpected exits often struggle to replace these…
Read MoreAJ Consultants Completes Deputy Chief Credit Officer Search for Capital Bank N.A.
AJ Consultants is pleased to announce the successful completion of a nationwide Deputy Chief Credit Officer search for Capital Bank N.A., a mandate that resulted in two senior-level hires. Capital Bank engaged AJ Consultants to identify a seasoned credit leader capable of navigating today’s complex risk environment while supporting the bank’s long-term growth strategy. After…
Read MoreAJ Consultants Delivers Chief Banking Officer for New Horizon Bank
AJ Consultants is proud to announce the successful placement of Sheila Yosufy as Chief Banking Officer for New Horizon Bank. New Horizon Bank came to AJC with a tall order: find a leader with deep experience across deposits, business banking, and revenue growth, as well as someone who could drive performance while staying true to…
Read MoreThe State of Executive Hiring in Banking & Finance
We’ve all had that moment of “surprise” when a banking executive suddenly announces their resignation. I put “surprise” in quotes because in most cases, it’s easy to see coming: they were nearing retirement age, a recent M&A deal went through, or the company had begun talking more about “strategic changes.” Whatever the circumstances, our industry…
Read MoreAJC Retained to Lead Search for Deputy CCO
AJ Consultants is excited to announce our retained partnership with Capital Bank, N.A., to search for the company’s new Deputy Chief Credit Officer. Capital Bank, a $3.3B+ institution with deep Mid-Atlantic roots and a bold national outlook, continues to grow by innovating beyond traditional banking. This newly created role will be instrumental in sustaining that…
Read MoreThe Top 4 Priorities of Credit Union Leaders in the Northeast
Credit unions are buying banks. Just that one sentence shows how much the script has flipped from a few years ago. Many of our previous assumptions about how the industry works, both here in the Northeast and across the country, are off the table. Whether we’re talking regulatory uncertainty, evolving consumer demands, or digital transformation…
Read MoreStrategic Leadership in Mergers and Acquisitions: Banking and Finance Outlook for 2025
In Q1 2025, the outlook for mergers & acquisitions (M&A) in banking and finance was hopeful. By Q2, it had tempered significantly. Now, as we gear up for Q4, it’s just confusing. The players have shifted, big deals have hit pause or fallen through, and uncertainty around government policies has all caused confidence to drop…
Read MoreAJ Consultants Welcomes Executive Recruiter Joseph Fantacone to the Team
Pittston, PA – September 8, 2025 – AJ Consultants is pleased to announce the addition of Joseph Fantacone as Executive Recruiter, strengthening the firm’s expertise in the Wealth Management and Financial Services industries. Fantacone specializes in the Wealth Management space, partnering with Wealth Management firms, Credit Unions, and Community Banks to help them attract and…
Read MoreThe Rising Importance of Employer Branding in Attracting Top Talent
When you think of companies with a strong employer brand, who comes to mind? Maybe Netflix, Airbnb, or Google. But probably not one of the multinational financial firms. Historically, employer branding hasn’t been a top priority in our industry. That’s starting to change. The number of open accounting and finance roles increased 150% from last…
Read MoreAJ Consultants Completes CFO and CAO Searches for MVB Financial Corp.
AJ Consultants is pleased to announce the successful completion of two executive leadership searches for MVB Financial Corp., with the appointments of Mike Sumbs as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Jonathan Logan as Chief Administrative Officer (CAO). Jonathan Logan joins MVB from William Penn Bank, where he served as Executive Vice President and CFO since 2020, overseeing all financial,…
Read MoreAJ Consultants Places Vice President of Debit Card Product Management at WebBank
AJ Consultants is proud to announce the successful completion of a national search for WebBank, resulting in the placement of Jason Bradley as the company’s new Vice President of Debit Card Product Management. WebBank sought an experienced talent with development, management, oversight, and growth of a banks debit card products and programs. Specifically within the partnership…
Read MoreNavigating Compensation Strategies Amid Economic Uncertainty
In a climate marked by persistent inflation, interest rate volatility, and shifting workforce expectations, executive compensation strategies in the financial services sector are undergoing accelerated transformation. Regional banks and credit unions face mounting pressure not only to retain top leadership talent but also to structure pay in a way that supports long-term strategic objectives while…
Read MoreAJ Consultants Successfully Completes Chief Credit Officer Search for MVB Financial Corp.
AJ Consultants is pleased to announce Tony Eastman’s placement as Chief Credit Officer at MVB Financial Corp., following an extensive national search. AJ Consultants conducted a meticulous search process to secure a candidate equipped to address MVB’s specific and unique needs. The search targeted an experienced credit professional capable of enhancing risk management, aligning strategic…
Read MoreAJ Consultants Places Chief AML Officer at WebBank
AJ Consultants is proud to announce the successful completion of a national executive search for WebBank, resulting in the placement of Tiffany Chesnos as the company’s new Chief AML Officer. With a track record of helping high-growth financial institutions find transformative leaders, our team executed a highly targeted search for an executive capable of navigating…
Read MoreDigital Transformation and the Future of Credit Union Member Engagement
Digital transformation is reshaping the financial services sector, placing member engagement at the forefront of credit unions’ strategies. Traditionally celebrated for their personalized approach and strong community ties, credit unions must now embrace digital innovation to enhance relationships, retain loyalty, and maintain competitiveness. Let’s explore three key areas that have been impacted by digital transformation…
Read MoreCase Study: AJ Consultants’ Strategic CFO Search for a $3 Billion Credit Union
Overview: A prominent $3 billion Credit Union headquartered in the Mid-Atlantic faced a critical and sensitive challenge: the urgent and confidential replacement of their Chief Financial Officer amidst a pivotal acquisition. This strategic acquisition was vital for expanding their membership and market presence. The new CFO needed exceptional experience in mergers and acquisitions, the ability…
Read More4 Executive Recruitment Trends Shaping the Future of Credit Union Leadership
Across industries, the C-suite exodus is creating a leadership continuity crisis in the United States. Gartner reports 56% of executives—excluding CHROs—are likely to quit within two years, largely due to heavily increased workloads and stress. And that doesn’t account for the many retirees who will soon leave the credit union industry for good. To address…
Read MoreHow Fluctuating Credit Union Regulations Are Shaping Executive Talent Strategies
Credit union regulations and laws continue to be in constant flux. In 2025, federal lawmakers introduced a wave of policy rollbacks across the financial sector—all while challenging long-standing protections like tax exemption for CUs. At the regional level, scrutiny has intensified as well, with states like Tennessee even banning credit union acquisitions of banks. Predicting…
Read MoreBridging the Gap Between Credit Union Leadership & Culture
In the financial services industry, the pace of change is intensifying the pressure to achieve continuous innovation and operational efficiency. Seeking the power of fiscal strength, geographic reach, and product expansion, credit unions pursued record numbers of bank acquisitions and mergers in 2024—yet this strategy is not a cure-all for the challenges ahead. For credit…
Read More5 Common Executive Hiring Pitfalls in Credit Unions (And How a Specialized Recruiter Can Help You Avoid Them)
As the regulatory landscape shifts and membership ranks continue to age, credit unions are facing new transformation demands. To achieve sustainable success, these non-for-profit financial institutions need to find new opportunities for growth, innovation, and exceptional service—without losing their deep community focus. Finding the right credit union executives will be critical for pushing strategic initiatives…
Read MoreHow to Navigate a Confidential Search When Executives Underperform
The pressure on executives to deliver measurable value is rapidly rising. Across industries, boards and investors are demanding competitive returns even amid sluggish economic growth, swiftly replacing underperforming CEOs. The pattern follows in the financial sector, where market unpredictability is driving an urgent need for agile leadership. Finding the right replacement can be a tricky…
Read MoreWhy Financial Institutions Must Prioritize Succession Planning to Secure Their Future
Financial institutions across the country are grappling with growing retention challenges in 2025. With burnout and uncertainty fueling CFO turnover, banks are struggling to maintain strategic continuity and lock in clear CEO successors. It certainly doesn’t help that global CEO resignation rates have reached record levels. Young professionals are leaving traditional finserv organizations is adding…
Read MoreAJC Secures Two Experienced Senior Bank Directors for DC Green Bank
April 7, 2025 – Pittston, PA – AJ Consultants, a top bank executive search firm, is proud to share its successful placement of two experienced leaders at DC Green Bank. Cecilia Walker joins the financial institution as Senior Director of Credit Administration, bringing over 25 years of experience in her field. Through collaborations with the…
Read MoreAJC Places Proven Risk Management Leader as Capital Bank SVP
April 7, 2025 – Pittston, PA – AJ Consultants, a leading executive search firm in banking and finance, is proud to announce its pivotal role in placing Brad Mullman as Senior Vice President, Head of Enterprise Risk Management at Capital Bank. In search of a proven risk and compliance leader, the Maryland-based bank engaged AJC…
Read MorePreparing for Bank Compliance Amid Regulatory Uncertainty
The banking industry has rapidly shifted toward a stringent regulatory environment in recent years. According to a Forrester, 98% of financial institutions experienced a rise in financial crime compliance costs alone in 2023, driven primarily by skyrocketing labor and technology expenses. Penalties for noncompliance have increased just as fast. However, the pendulum may be swinging…
Read MoreAJC Places Top Risk and Compliance Leader Casey Jenkins at a San Diego based Fintech bank
December 12, 2024 – Pittston, PA – AJ Consultants (AJC), a premier financial executive search firm, is proud to share its instrumental role in placing Casey Jenkins as Head of Risk and Compliance at Hatch Bank. As an organization operating in the complex fintech sponsorship banking space, Hatch Bank needed an experienced compliance professional to…
Read MoreAJC Completes Successful CRO Executive Search, Placing Joseph Rodriguez at MVB Financial Corp.
December 10, 2024 – Pittston, PA – AJ Consultants (AJC), a leading executive search firm in the bank, credit union, and finance industries, is excited to share its success in facilitating the placement of Joseph Rodriguez as Chief Risk Officer at MVB Financial Corp. Seeking a trusted risk management leader in the financial services industry,…
Read MorePreparing for AI Compliance in the Banking Industry
As banks ramp up their technology spending, artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming a key investment priority. A recent NVIDIA survey found 91% of financial services companies are now using or assessing AI for diverse use cases—from fraud detection and portfolio optimization to operational efficiency and customer support. For bank executives, it is abundantly clear that…
Read MoreAJC Delivers Exceptional Sandy Spring Bank Placement with Treasurer Scott Clark
October 4, 2024 – Pittston, PA – AJ Consultants (AJC), a leading executive search firm in the bank and finance sector, is proud to share its pivotal role in placing Scott Clark as Treasurer at Sandy Spring Bank. In search of a senior financial leader to elevate its financial management and investment strategies, the Maryland-based…
Read MoreAJC Consultants places CFO at Capital Bank
September 26, 2024 – Pittston, PA – AJ Consultants (AJC), a premier executive search firm specializing in the bank and finance sector, is delighted to share its successful placement of Dominic C. Canuso as the Chief Financial Officer at Capital Bank. When Capital Bank reached out in search of a seasoned executive, AJC recognized the…
Read MoreWhy Agile Leadership Is Key to Successful Credit Union Bank Acquisitions
Credit unions are at the epicenter of a seismic shift in the financial sector. The nonprofit cooperatives—once known for their modest expansion—are buying up banks at record rates, with deals proposed in 2024 involving $7.21 billion in assets so far. For community banks interested in selling, these all-cash buyouts have offered welcome relief amidst a…
Read MoreAJC Lands Dream Candidate for $4 Billion Bank and Fintech
A $4 billion bank and fintech company with a rapidly expanding payments and card business faced a critical need: new leadership to steer this crucial division. They sought an executive who could either sustain and grow the existing business or a visionary leader capable of revolutionizing their operations. This case study explores how AJ Consultants…
Read MoreAJ Consultants Places Payments Industry Veteran Jeremy Kuiper as EVP, Fintech President at MVB Financial
June 24, 2024 – Pittston, PA – AJ Consultants (AJC), a leading executive search firm in the banking and finance industry, is proud to announce its instrumental role in placing Jeremy Kuiper as the Executive Vice President and Fintech President at MVB Financial Corp (MVB). AJC was engaged by MVB to conduct an extensive search…
Read MoreAJC Unearths Perfect COO for $17 Billion West Virginia Bank
A $17 billion bank headquartered in rural West Virginia faced a daunting challenge: finding a suitable Chief Operating Officer (COO) in a shallow pool of local talent. After unsuccessful attempts to recruit independently and through another search firm, the bank turned to AJ Consultants (AJC), who successfully filled the role in under eight weeks. Let’s…
Read MoreA Snapshot of Success
Meet Your New Banking & Finance Recruitment Partner At AJC, we approach banking and finance recruitment in a more thorough, personal way that transcends the transactional. Interested in learning more? Here’s a look at what we’ve been up to. AJC by the Numbers There’s no ceiling on the talent we can source for you. And…
Read MoreAJC Completes two C-Suite Searches for DC Green Bank
Via searches carried out by AJ Consultants, DC Green Bank has tapped a new Chief Financial Officer and Chief Investment Officer. DC Green Bank is proud to announce. Greg Haygood as their new Chief Financial Officer. In this role, he will bring his outstanding experience to the team to develop a more equitable and sustainable…
Read MoreC&N Grows Wealth Reach with AJC
With the assistance of AJ Consultants Danielle Ader, C&N (Citizens & Northern Corporation, NASDAQ: CZNC), has added to the strength of its Wealth division with the addition of Craig Morgenstern as VP & Senior Investment Officer. Morgenstern brings 15+ years of experience in investment strategy, portfolio management and financial planning to C&N. He holds a…
Read MoreExchange Authority CEO Search Completed by AJC
Exchange Authority advises and educates their clients on the process, creates all required documents, coordinates the Exchange of funds, and provides full reports at the end of the Exchange. In 2008, Exchange Authority was acquired by Fidelity Cooperative Bank, making it a wholly-owned subsidiary of the bank. Learn more by visiting https://exchangeauthority.com/. Exchange Authority appoints Al…
Read MoreAJC Midwest Success Story
Original Article can be found here… https://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/news/2023/04/13/illinois-first-bankers-trust-st-charles-county.html An Illinois-based bank plans to open its first office in Missouri, with the goal of tapping into suburban growth in the St. Louis metro area. First Bankers Trust Co. plans to open a loan production office in St. Charles County. A site has not been chosen and it’s…
Read MoreTwo for the road: President Placement. Chief Lending Officer Placement.
NEWS PROVIDED BY: Capital Bancorp, Inc. ROCKVILLE, Md., April 25, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Capital Bank is pleased to announce that Steve Poynot, the Bank’s current Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, has been promoted to the position of President of the Bank. In his new role, Mr. Poynot will have overarching responsibility for…
Read MoreAJC Completes Chief Lending Officer Search
Hebron, MD — May 17, 2023 — Hebron Savings Bank announced that Brian Gottschalk has joined the Bank as Executive Vice President and Chief Lending Officer. Mr. Gottschalk will develop and expand business relationships in the Maryland and Delaware markets. He will lead the team of Commercial Lenders to provide high-quality business solutions, drive service…
Read MoreAJC Completes St. Louis President Search
https://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/news/2023/06/16/first-mid-bank-and-trust-hires-new-st-louis-area.html First Mid Bank & Trust hires a new St. Louis-area president The Mattoon, Illinois-based bank named a new regional community bank president in the St. Louis area. The Mattoon, Illinois-based bank announced Friday it has named Bruce Dyck to succeed Chris Frein in the position. Frein jumped in April to Central Bank of St.…
Read MoreMutualOne Bank’s CFO Search Completed by AJC
March 14, 2023 Mark Haranas, Chief Executive Officer of MutualOne Bank, has announced that Joe Regan has joined the Bank as Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Regan will be responsible for directing all of the Bank’s finance functions and assisting with the creation and implementation of strategies. He will also provide financial counsel to the Chief…
Read MoreAJC Embarks on Chief Fintech Risk and AML Search
AJ Consultants has been retained by MVB Financial Corp. (MVBF) to find their Chief Fintech Risk and AML Officer. This vital leadership role happens to be with one of the true entrepreneurial community banks and top Fintech’s in the industry. The role is responsible for oversight of the Bank’s BSA/AML/OFAC and fintech onboarding/risk management functions. Responsibilities include assessing…
Read MoreSuccessful C Suite Placement for AJC and 3 Billion+ Challenger Bank
ROCKVILLE, Md., Oct. 11, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Capital Bank, N.A. (the “Bank”), has named Steven M. Poynot as Chief Operating Officer, effective immediately. “We are thrilled to have Steve join our senior management team,” said Ed Barry, the Bank’s CEO. “His background and experience add to the depth and knowledge of our team and…
Read MoreAJC Retained by 13.3 Billion Dollar for Chief Audit Executive
AJ Consultants has been retained by Sandy Spring Bank to find their next Chief Internal Auditor, a role that will be integral to the banks continued success while reporting to the CEO and board. Sandy Spring Bank has been a force in the financial services community for over 150 years. They are a 13 billion+ player that…
Read MoreAJC’s Danielle Ader Selected for Management Committee Search
“I am pleased and proud to announce that AJ Consultants LLC very own Danielle Ader has been selected to be part of a 3 person Manager Search Committee here for Luzerne County in Northeastern PA”, said Adam Eckels, Owner AJ Consultants. “Danielle has been an integral part of the community here for many years and has been a member…
Read MoreAJC Retained for President Search for 3 billion+ Challenger Bank
AJ Consultants has been engaged by one of the Mid Atlantic’s most efficient, strong, community banks looking for its next President. They are a challenger in the industry with a Fintech streak starting. AJC will be conducting an all encompassing search to identify their next President. More to come, stay tuned!
Read MoreAJC Successfully Completes Chief Risk Officer Search for Leading bill pay Fintech
AJ Consultants recently completed its retained search for the Chief Risk Officer of BillGO with the placement of Bryan Kanefield. Used by 32 million consumers and thousands of financial institutions, Fintech’s and billers, BillGO combines speed, choice and intelligence with simple integration to change the way people make and receive bill payments. Kanefield is tenured…
Read MoreFidelity Bank’s Chief Commercial Banking Officer search completed by AJC
Fidelity Bank today announced the appointment of Joseph Silva to Senior Vice President, Chief Commercial Banking Officer, effective immediately. In this role, he will lead all aspects of Commercial Banking and Cash Management sales with a focus on growing the business while also embracing Fidelity Bank’s LifeDesign approach. He succeeds Barry Bliss, Chief Commercial Banking…
Read More