Chief Banking Officer
- Carroll, IA
- Direct Hire - Full Time
- BH67842828
- Competitive
- Executive
- 9/22/2025
Summary
Availa Bank, a $1.6 billion community bank located in Central and Western Iowa, is seeking a strategic and community-focused Chief Banking Officer (CBO) to lead all customer-facing lines of business. The CBO will oversee lending, retail banking, mortgage, and related growth initiatives while fostering a culture of accountability, service excellence, and local market responsiveness. This is an executive role, reporting directly to the CEO, and is responsible for aligning front-line execution with the bank’s long-term mission, values, and growth objectives.
Key Responsibilities
Leadership & Strategy
- Develop, execute, and communicate a cohesive strategy across all banking divisions to drive responsible growth and deepen client relationships.
- Oversee organizational design and effectiveness, assessing current structures and implementing future-ready solutions to support growth and operational excellence.
- Serve as a key member of the executive leadership team, contributing to the overall strategic direction of the institution.
Commercial and Retail Banking Oversight
- Lead all lending, deposit, and relationship banking efforts, with a particular focus on small business and middle-market segments.
- Ensure front-line teams are aligned in delivering a consistent, high-touch customer experience across all branches and markets.
- Oversee and enhance sales performance across business units, promoting cross-selling and integrated solutions to maximize client value and organizational growth.
Operational Excellence & Risk Alignment
- Collaborate closely with the Chief Credit Officer and Risk Officer to ensure risk-aware growth.
- Translate strategic objectives into measurable KPIs and operational performance targets.
Talent Development & Culture
- Attract, mentor, and retain strong banking talent across markets and disciplines.
- Build a performance-oriented culture rooted in integrity, service, and accountability.
Business Development & Market Presence
- Oversee the expansion of relationships in each market by ensuring bank staff remain visible in their respective communities and promote the Availa brand.
Key Candidate Traits & Qualifications
Community-Centered Leadership
- Deep commitment to relationship banking and community engagement.
- Proven success serving in leadership roles within a community or regional bank environment.
- Adept at building authentic relationships and fostering trust across diverse markets and communities.
Comprehensive Banking Expertise
- Broad knowledge of commercial lending, deposit growth strategies, treasury services, and retail banking.
- Track record of originating high-quality credit and driving profitable portfolio growth by emphasizing the importance of core deposit growth.
Strategic Operator
- Strong ability to align people, process, and systems to deliver results in a scalable and sustainable manner.
- Comfortable and skilled at leading organizations through growth, change, and market disruption.
- Operate and manage with a steady, decisive approach that aligns strategy, operations, and people to deliver results.
People-Focused Leadership
- Experienced team builder and mentor with a collaborative, hands-on leadership style.
- Known for developing internal talent and building high-performing, cross-functional teams.
- Lead with clarity and empathy during times of change while inspiring, engaging, and guiding teams with confidence and care through transition.
Communication & Influence
- Highly effective communicator with the ability to engage across all levels.
- Articulates banking strategies in a clear, actionable manner while building alignment across departments.
Digital & Operational Awareness
- Understands and supports technology-driven improvements in customer access, operational efficiency, and product delivery.
- Prioritizes practical, value-adding innovation without compromising personalized service.
Integrity & Cultural Fit
- Embodies the bank’s mission and values.
- Respected for sound judgment, high ethical standards, and credibility with internal and external stakeholders.
Required Qualifications & Experience
- Minimum of 10 years of experience in banking, with progressive leadership responsibility.
- Prior experience leading multi-line banking functions in a community or regional bank environment preferred.
- Bachelor's degree required.
Application & Selection Process
Availa Bank has exclusively retained The QTI Group to lead the search for its Chief Banking Officer. The QTI group is a comprehensive human resources advisory services firm founded in 1957. QTI is headquartered in Madison, WI.
Target Start Date: January 7, 2026.
Compensation: This position offers a salary range of $240,000 - $280,000 based on experience and qualifications and includes a comprehensive total benefits package and an Employee Stock Ownership Plan.
Incentive Compensation: This position is eligible for incentive compensation (based on company, team, and individual performance goals – determined annually)
- Eligible for 0-40% bonus of annual salary plus an additional deferred award equal to 50% of the initial annual award earned.
For more information, please contact:
Brooke Hintze, MSE, CDR
Executive Search Consultant
608.257.1057
Application Deadline: Friday, October 17, 2025, at 4:00 pm CT.