Florence Bank Selects Ryan Hess as Chief Commercial Banking Officer
In 2025, Smith & Wilkinson was retained by Florence Bank to conduct a comprehensive search for its next Chief Commercial Banking Officer as part of the Bank’s multi-year strategic transformation.
The search was initiated to identify a senior commercial banking leader capable of driving disciplined portfolio growth, strengthening credit and risk management, and further positioning Florence Bank as a high-performing commercial banking franchise. Smith & Wilkinson conducted a broad market assessment, evaluating experienced commercial banking executives across the region while also assessing internal leadership as part of a thoughtful succession-planning process.
Following this comprehensive review of the market, Ryan Hess was selected for the role. Hess had distinguished himself through his leadership, commercial acumen, and alignment with the Bank’s strategic direction. Since joining Florence Bank in 2023, he has served as Vice President, Commercial Team Leader, operating in a player-coach capacity and contributing meaningfully to portfolio growth, talent development, and commercial strategy.
Prior to Florence Bank, Hess served as Chief Lending Officer at New Valley Bank & Trust, where he was a founding member of the executive team and helped design and execute the bank’s original business plan, including capital formation and the buildout of commercial lending operations. His combination of regional market knowledge, credit expertise, and hands-on leadership experience positioned him strongly for this role.
This engagement was managed by Darcy Flaherty, Consultant, Financial Services and Cameron Boyd, Managing Partner, Financial Services.
About Florence Bank
Founded more than 150 years ago and headquartered in Northampton, Massachusetts, $2B Florence Bank is a well-capitalized mutual bank with a long history of profitability and a deep commitment to serving businesses and communities throughout the Pioneer Valley.
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.
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