Connecticut Community Bank Selects Lou Garcia as President & CEO

August 2026 –Smith & Wilkinson was retained by Connecticut Community Bank, N.A. to lead the search and selection process for its next President & CEO as part of a planned leadership transition.

The President & CEO search represented an important succession for Connecticut Community Bank. The Bank sought an experienced financial services executive who could provide strategic leadership across the organization while maintaining its strong community banking culture. We started our search for a leader with broad commercial banking and credit expertise, an understanding of balance sheet and capital management, experience working with regulators and boards, and the executive presence to represent Connecticut Community Bank throughout Fairfield County and within the broader financial services industry.

Following an extensive search and selection process, Smith & Wilkinson is pleased to announce the appointment of Lou Garcia as President & CEO of Connecticut Community Bank, succeeding David W. Tralka.

Garcia brings more than 25 years of financial services leadership experience spanning community banking, institutional investment management, credit, and alternative investments. He previously served as CEO, Board Member, and Co-Founder of New Canaan Bank, where he helped lead the development of a new Fairfield County community bank, including its strategy, regulatory process, organizational infrastructure, capital formation, and community engagement.

Most recently, Garcia served on the Board of Directors of Fieldpoint Private Bank, where he contributed to investment portfolio and balance sheet management and served on the Asset-Liability, Audit, Governance, and Loan Committees. Earlier in his career, he spent 16 years as Chief Operating Officer and a senior leader of Addison Clark Capital, where he oversaw strategy, finance, operations, risk management, technology, and business development. He later served as Managing Director at CBAM Partners, a credit-focused investment manager that was subsequently acquired by The Carlyle Group.

Garcia was selected for his combination of financial services expertise, entrepreneurial leadership, and deep ties to Fairfield County. His experience building and leading organizations through periods of growth and change, coupled with his understanding of community banking, capital and balance sheet management, regulatory relationships, and the Connecticut market, positioned him strongly to lead Connecticut Community Bank into its next chapter.

A longtime New Canaan resident and Fairfield University graduate, Garcia has also maintained an active presence in the local community, including service with the New Canaan Athletic Foundation and New Canaan Ram Football Association. He completed advanced professional study through the Wharton Leadership and Management Program.

The Connecticut Community Bank President & CEO search was led by Cameron Boyd, Managing Partner, Financial Services, and Darcy Flaherty, Consultant, Financial Services.

Founded in 1998 and headquartered in Norwalk, Connecticut, Connecticut Community Bank, N.A. serves consumers and businesses throughout Fairfield County through its five community banking divisions: Darien Bank & Trust, Greenwich Bank & Trust, Norwalk Bank & Trust, Stamford Bank & Trust, and Westport National Bank. Connecticut Community Bank also operates InsurBanc, which provides specialized banking and financing solutions to independent insurance agencies nationwide. The Bank is committed to personalized service, local decision making, and strengthening the communities it serves.

For more than 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, 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? Get in touch to learn how Smith & Wilkinson’s financial services and association executive search team can help you attract, promote, and retain the talent your organization needs to grow and compete.