Geoffrey R. Hesslink, Senior Lender and Executive Vice President of Merchants Bank, announced the appointment of Bruce Foust to Senior Vice President and Business Banking Manager for Merchants Bank. Foust’s primary responsibility will be to develop and manage the Merchants’ Business Banking Group, as well as assist with middle-market business banking.
“Bruce is a highly-experienced and skilled manager with a great deal of knowledge of the markets we serve,” commented Hesslink. “His expertise, particularly as it relates to the management of a successful Commercial Banking Group, will be a strong addition to the Merchants team. Bruce’s understanding of the needs of the middle market business customer will prove to be a great resource for our customers.”
Previously with Chittenden Bank, Foust has over thirty-eight years of banking experience. He began his career as a Customer Service Representative. He continued on advancing to branch management, market management, branch administration, commercial lending, and, most recently running their Private Banking Group. In that position, Foust managed the Group’s Private Banking account managers, including business development, credit approval and underwriting activities. He also directly managed a portfolio of his own customer relationships.
Foust received his B.A. from Middlebury College, and attended the ABA Graduate School of Commercial Lending and the NNE School of Banking at Williams College. Over the years, he has served as a volunteer and board member for many community organizations.
“Merchants Bank has maintained a long tradition of providing banking solutions to Vermonters and their businesses, and I am very pleased to now be a part of that,” stated Bruce. “I am looking forward to working with Merchants’ dedicated, well-respected professional bankers and being a part of that strong commitment to serving Vermont’s financial needs.”