OP Bancorp in Los Angeles, Optus Bank in South Carolina, Merchants & Marine in Mississippi, Pendleton Community in West Virginia and the Virginia Association of Community Banks have all announced senior hires in recent weeks, while TCM Bank in Florida named an interim president as its CEO stepped down. This monthly roundup of changes in senior managementAmerican Banker provides an overview of the latest developments.

Los Angeles-based OP Bancorp strengthens CEO succession plan

OP Bancorp said Sang Oh will become its next CEO and chairman after the Los Angeles-based company’s annual meeting in June 2025.

The $2.3 billion bank said in a press release that Mr. Oh, currently OP’s chief credit officer, will succeed Min Kim, who plans to retire after leading the company for 15 years. Mr. Kim will then become chairman of OP’s board, succeeding Brian Choi, who is retiring.

“We are delighted to recognize Min’s tremendous leadership over the past 15 years and are equally pleased to retain her in a key leadership role as she succeeds me as non-executive chairwoman,” Choi said in the statement.

“We believe the future of the company is brighter than ever as we have begun to implement a well-thought-out plan to provide exceptional leadership to our organization for many years to come,” Choi said.

Optus in South Carolina promotes insider to president

Optus Bank in Columbia, South Carolina, has a new president.

The bank, which has assets of $592 million, said in a press release that Benita Lefft had been promoted to the role.

Lefft, who will continue in her role as Optus’ chief operating officer, succeeds Dominik Mjartan, who remains CEO. Lefft will oversee the bank’s core business lines, risk management, finance and all support functions.

“Ms. Lefft is an exceptionally talented and driven leader who has helped the bank achieve a higher level of performance,” said Paul Mitchell, Chairman of the Board. “I am confident that with Benita’s leadership as President and COO, we will continue to deliver further positive social and financial results.”

During the turnaround from 2018 to this year, Optus’ loans, deposits and assets all grew more than tenfold, the bank said.

Mississippi Merchants & Marine Hires New Bank CEO

Merchants & Marine Bancorp in Pascagoula, Miss., has a new CEO.

The $777 million company announced in a press release that it has hired Paige Oliver to be its brand president and chief executive officer. Oliver previously served as president and CEO of Bank of Oak Ridge in Oak Ridge, Louisiana.

“Paige’s extensive leadership experience, drive to positively impact those around her and passion for community banking make her the ideal person to lead our company’s flagship brand as it continues to evolve toward its full potential,” Chairman and CEO Clayton Legear said in the release.

West Virginia’s Pendleton Promotes From Within, Splits President and CEO Roles

Pendleton Community Bank in Franklin, West Virginia, has named a new president.

The $765 million bank announced in a news release that Neil Hayslett has been promoted to the role. Hayslett, who will remain chief operating officer, succeeds William Loving, who remains chief executive officer.

“PCB continues to expand our reach and grow our brand across all of our communities and Neil has been instrumental in that success,” Loving said in the statement.

“As we expand our physical presence and digital offerings to best meet the financial needs of our customers,” the bank “determined it was time to separate the roles of CEO and chairman,” he said.

Virginia community bank advocate names new leader

The Virginia Association of Community Banks has named its next president and CEO.

The association said in a news release that Corey Connors, former executive director of the Virginia Forestry Association, will lead the bank advocacy group. Connors will succeed Steve Yeakel, who is retiring at the end of the year.

“Corey’s strategic mindset and long, distinguished career in the association management community make him the ideal choice to further define VACB’s value proposition, expand its professional development programs and engage a new generation of community bankers,” Joseph Witt, the association’s president, said in the release.

Florida’s TCM Bank Announces CEO Resignation

TCM Bank of Tampa, Florida, said on its website and social media that its president and CEO had resigned.

TCM, which has a capital of $356 million, announced that Damon Moorer has resigned after eight years leading the bank. TCM is a subsidiary of ICBA Payments.

“Damon has played a critical role in the growth and success of our organization,” TCM said in a LinkedIn post. “His leadership has contributed significantly to shaping the culture we cherish; a culture built on inclusion, collaboration and respect.”

TCM announced that Jacob Eisen, president and CEO of ICBA Payments, has been named interim president and CEO. TCM is expected to “share more about the leadership transition in the coming weeks.”