Rhinebeck Bancorp Selects Matthew Smith as President & CEO
September 2025 – Smith & Wilkinson was selected by the Board of Directors of Rhinebeck Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ: RBKB), the holding company of Rhinebeck Bank, to manage the search and selection process for the organization’s next President & CEO. As part of the planned retirement of the bank’s long time President & CEO, the Board was seeking a dynamic chief executive to lead strategic growth, enhance shareholder value, and reinforce its reputation as a trusted local partner. Key elements of this role included strategic and financial leadership, public company oversight, enterprise risk management and governance, operational excellence, community and customer engagement, and talent management. At the time of the engagement, Rhinebeck Bank was an approximately $1.2B community bank with a rich history of serving consumer and business customers primarily in New York’s Hudson Valley region.
Following a national executive search targeting public bank executives, in September of 2025 the bank announced the selection of Matthew Smith as its next President & CEO. At the time of his selection, Smith was serving as SEVP, Chief Operating Officer for $10B, New Jersey-based Columbia Bank. Prior to Columbia he spent 7 years with $70B Webster Bank (through its merger with Sterling National Bank) during which time he served as Chief Digital Banking Officer, Head of Direct Banking and BaaS, and Chief Product & Marketing Officer. Smith has also held roles with Bridgewater Associates and GE Capital Americas. He holds an MBA from Iona University and a BS in Finance and Business Management from La Salle University where he was a member of the Division 1 Men’s Basketball team.
The Rhinebeck Bank President & CEO search was managed by Moriah Callahan, Partner & Director of Recruiting, and Cameron Boyd, Managing Partner.
About Rhinebeck Bank
Rhinebeck Bank, a $1.3B community bank serving consumer and small business customers in the Hudson Valley region of New York and beyond. Founded in 1860, Rhinebeck Bank offers a full suite of personal and business financial solutions, operates a professional asset management and financial planning division (Rhinebeck Asset Management), and services its customers through 13 retail locations and modern online and mobile capabilities.
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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