READING – Reading Cooperative Bank is pleased to announce the hiring of Carol Houle as its new EVP, Chief Financial Officer (CFO). The move comes after long-time CFO Anthony Patti steps into the new role of Executive Vice President, Head of Special Projects.
“Carol had been Reading’s audit partner and industry friend for many years,” said Reading Cooperative Bank CEO Julieann Thurlow. “Her understanding and respect for the value and strength of the mutual cooperative bank charter and her strong knowledge of bank accounting will serve us well into the future. We also appreciate Anthony Patti’s willingness to help with the transition of the CFO role and continue on as EVP of Special Projects as he wraps up his highly successful career here at Reading.”
Ms. Houle comes to RCB with more than 30 years of experience in banking. She started her career in auditing, working for a firm, Shatswell MacLeod, that specialized in banking. During her time at the firm, she was elevated to firm partner. In 2013, she joined BankProv as their Chief Financial Officer. During her tenure at the bank, she assisted in a successful growth strategy that tripled the size of the bank in 10 years.
Ms. Houle also serves on the board of Franklin Pierce University in Rindge, New Hampshire and Granite Edvance in Concord, New Hampshire.
Ms. Houle will focus on positioning the bank for profitable growth to support the needs of the community as RCB approaches $1 billion in total assets with the integration of a neighboring mutual bank into the bank’s operations.
“I am honored to work with a mutual institution that has such a forward thinking and strategic leadership team”, Houle said. “I look forward to bringing my expertise to the bank to ensure a smooth transition to another asset class in banking.”
Ms. Houle lives in Salem, New Hampshire and has resided there for over 30 years. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in accounting from Franklin Pierce University and is currently a certified public accountant.