NBT BANK EXPANDS TEAM IN KEENE, NH

KEENE, NH (February 27, 2018) – NBT Bank New Hampshire Regional President Stephen Lubelczyk announced that Ben Wheeler has joined the company as senior vice president and regional manager, and Brian Perkins has joined as vice president and commercial banking relationship manager. Both will be based at NBT’s office in Keene, NH. Wheeler will also serve on NBT’s New England senior management team.

“NBT Bank has had a fast-emerging presence in the New Hampshire commercial banking market, growing at an average annual rate of 12% since entering the state in 2012,” said Lubelczyk. “These new team members are part of a continued effort to increase our banking resources in the Cheshire County community. To have professionals with experience of this caliber who are native to this market join the NBT team is tremendously exciting.”

Wheeler comes to NBT from TD Bank where he served as regional vice president, managing 26 bank locations in the Keene, Monadnock and Greater Concord areas. Wheeler earned his Master of Business Administration degree from Southern New Hampshire University and his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Management from Plymouth State University. He resides in Jaffrey, NH.

Wheeler currently serves on the statewide advisory board for NH Small Business Development Council. He also serves on the Jaffrey Gilmore Foundation and is treasurer of the Stephen C. Record Scholarship Trust. Over the years, Wheeler has served on multiple boards, including Monadnock Community Hospital, New Hampshire Charitable Foundation and Rivermead Lifecare Community.

“NBT Bank’s growth has been very noticeable here over the past several years. The opportunity to partner with their many commercial customers and to help expand the reach of NBT’s community banking model is a natural next step for my career and my relationships in this market,” Wheeler said.

Perkins also worked for TD Bank as vice president and commercial loan officer, as well as Connecticut River Bank where he served as a credit analyst and commercial loan officer. Perkins received his bachelor’s degree in Finance and Economics from Franklin Pierce University. He has continued his education through several courses offered by the Risk Management Association. Perkins resides in Springfield, Vermont, where he serves on the Crown Point Country Club Board of Trustees and served on the board of directors for the Springfield Regional Chamber of Commerce.

“Through my professional and volunteer experience, I have learned that working with a company that values local insights can make a significant difference in the success of its relationships, the success of its customers, and the overall success of the business. The local decision-making authority at NBT Bank has definitely contributed to the bank’s success here, and was a significant factor in my decision to join this team,” Perkins shared.