Maine Bankers Association selects Aaron Stetter as President

June 2026 – Smith & Wilkinson was retained by the Maine Bankers Association (MBA) to lead the executive search for its next President following the planned retirement of Jim Roche.

The Maine Bankers Association serves as the unified voice of Maine’s banking industry, providing advocacy, education, regulatory support, and strategic resources that strengthen member institutions and the communities they serve. Representing an industry with more than $42 billion in assets, MBA plays a critical role in advancing economic development and financial stability throughout the state. Through its advocacy efforts, educational programming, affiliated business entities, and member service organizations, the Association supports banks across Maine while serving as a trusted resource to industry leaders, policymakers, and regulators.

Following a national search, Aaron Stetter was selected as MBA’s next President. Aaron brings more than 20 years of association leadership and banking industry experience through the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA), where he held leadership roles spanning government relations, grassroots advocacy, state association engagement, and executive management. Most recently, he served as Executive Vice President of Affiliate and Volunteer Relations, leading engagement with community bank leaders and managing relationships with ICBA’s network of 44 affiliated state banking associations.

Throughout his career, Aaron has built a reputation as a collaborative leader, trusted advisor, and advocate for community banking. His experience working alongside banking associations across the country, combined with his deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing financial institutions, made him an exceptional fit for the role.

While Aaron has spent much of his career in the Washington, D.C., area, he and his wife have developed a strong connection to Maine through years of visiting and exploring the state. The opportunity to lead MBA represented a unique combination of professional alignment and personal aspiration, making it a natural next step in his career.

Read MBA’s press release announcing the appointment.

This engagement was led by Moriah Callahan, Partner & Director of Recruiting, Financial Services; and Cameron Boyd, Managing Partner, Financial Services.

The Maine Bankers Association has served Maine’s banking industry since 1893. Its mission is to provide advocacy, education, and resources to safeguard and advance the interests of its member banks. MBA offers industry representation in legislative and regulatory matters at the state and federal levels and sponsors educational programs and forums for banks to exchange valuable industry information. In addition, the Association offers insurance programs and provides regulatory and compliance assistance to 34 member banks.

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.