Reading Cooperative Bank Appoints New Chief Credit Officer
December 2025 – Smith & Wilkinson partnered with Reading Cooperative Bank (RCB) to manage the executive search and selection process for the Bank’s next Senior Vice President, Chief Credit Officer. This was a key leadership hire, supporting the Bank’s continued growth and central to maintaining a strong credit culture, ensuring regulatory compliance, and balancing prudent risk management with strategic portfolio growth. RCB sought an experienced credit executive aligned with its mission of relationship-driven and community-focused banking.
The search culminated in the selection of Eric Landers. Eric brings more than a decade of senior credit and risk leadership experience, most recently serving as SVP, Senior Credit Administration Officer at River Run Services. He is known for his sound judgment, collaborative leadership style, and ability to balance disciplined risk management with strategic growth. His background and approach position him well to partner with RCB’s executive team in strengthening the Bank’s credit culture and supporting its long-term objectives.
Eric is motivated by relationship-driven, community-based banking, and his experience, leadership style, and commitment to mutual banking align with Reading Cooperative Bank’s mission and values.
This executive search was managed by William Wegener, Consultant, and Cameron Boyd, Managing Partner.
About Reading Cooperative Bank
Reading Cooperative Bank (RCB) is an approximately $1.2B, Massachusetts-based mutual bank. Established in 1886 “with a mission to make it possible for the average ‘workingman’ to purchase a home”, RCB is governed by its depositors and operates under the mantra of “people over profits, every time.” In line with its mission, the bank has 11 branches, including two educational branches in local high schools.
Following the completion of RCB’s merger with Wakefield Cooperative Bank, a merger bringing together two organizations with the same beliefs, structure, and internal technologies, the combined institution, operating as RCB, will be able to support even more customers, communities, and businesses through a larger branch network (14) and 120+ employees.
RCB is a progressive, technology forward institution with strong financial performance, excellent asset quality, and deep community commitment.
About Smith & Wilkinson
For over 25 years, Smith & Wilkinson has been a trusted executive search and talent advisory partner. Our Financial Services team serves banks, credit unions, service providers, associations, nonbank lenders, financial technology companies, community and economic development organizations, and government-sponsored enterprises in attracting, promoting, and retaining senior leaders who drive long-term business success.
Our financial services executive search work includes Board, C-suite, and Director level engagements across executive leadership, strategy, risk, finance, operations, lending, technology, and wealth management, and more. With industry-leading market insight and a consultative approach, we provide both clients and candidates with exceptional visibility into today’s evolving talent landscape.
Looking to fill a leadership role similar to this position? Please contact us to learn more about partnering with Smith & Wilkinson’s Financial Services executive search team to attract, promote, and retain the talent your organization needs to grow and compete.