News and Press Releases

Jan 31, 2024

Darren Franz appointed First National Bank Alaska President of Lending Division and joins Board of Directors

(ANCHORAGE) First National Bank Alaska Board Chair and CEO/President Betsy Lawer announced that Senior Executive Officer and Chief Credit Officer Darren Franz was appointed President of the Lending Division Line of Business, effective Jan. 1, 2024. Franz has also become a member of the bank’s Board of Directors, effective Jan. 25, 2024. He remains Chief Credit Officer, and Lawer retains her title as CEO, President and Board Chair of First National.

“As part of an outstanding leadership team, Darren played an important role in helping the bank weather the many challenges over the past few years and in keeping the bank on an even keel, with steady and consistent positive performance. This appointment is well-deserved recognition of his management skills and the responsibilities he has assumed,” Lawer said. “Darren’s deep-rooted knowledge of banking and business in the Great Land will serve First National very well as he joins the already exemplary group of Alaska leaders on the Board.”

During his decades-long banking career, Franz has successfully overseen the management of retail and business banking in 16 different Alaska communities with broad geographic, economic, and cultural diversity. He holds a bachelor’s degree in finance and economics and is a graduate of the renowned Pacific Coast Banking School.

Alaska’s community bank since 1922, First National proudly meets the financial needs of Alaskans with ATMs and 28 locations in 19 communities throughout the state and by providing banking services to meet their needs across the nation and around the world.

In 2023, Alaska Business readers voted First National “Best of Alaska Business” in the Best Place to Work category for the eighth year in a row, Best Bank/Credit Union for the third time running, and Best Corporate Citizen for the fourth time. American Banker recognized First National as a “Best Bank to Work For” for the sixth year running. The bank was also voted “Best of Alaska” in the Anchorage Daily News awards for the fifth year in a row, earning the top spot, the Platinum Award in the Bank/Financial category.

First National Bank Alaska is a Member FDIC and Equal Housing Lender.

 

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