The Banner Corporation is pleased to announce Judy Steiner has joined the company as Executive Vice President and Chief Risk Officer. In this role, Ms. Steiner is responsible for overseeing the company’s risk and compliance functions as well as the Bank’s interactions with industry regulators. She is also a member of the Bank’s Executive Management Committee. Ms. Steiner is replacing Tyrone Bliss, current risk officer who previously announced his retirement effective later this month.

Prior to joining Banner, Ms. Steiner spent 25 years with FirstMerit Corporation in executive leadership positions including Executive Vice President & Chief Risk Officer, Secretary, and General Counsel. During her time at FirstMerit, the bank grew to $25 billion in assets and she expertly led the compliance team through those growth phases. During that same tenure, she gained significant experience in mergers and acquisitions including whole bank purchases, FDIC transactions, and branch purchases from peer divestitures.

“Judy is an outstanding leader and expert in her field,” said Mark J. Grescovich, President and Chief Executive Officer. Her industry experience and skills are an excellent addition to our team as we approach $10 billion in assets and embark on the next chapter of our company’s history.”

Ms. Steiner earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Akron and her Juris Doctor degree (JD) from the Case Western Reserve University School of Law.

Ms. Steiner has been active in the community and within the banking industry. She has served on the boards of the Humane Society of Greater Akron, St. Mary Urban Education Initiative, Archbishop Hoban High School, H.M. Life Opportunity Services and Fair Housing Contact Service. Additionally she has donated her time and expertise to numerous banking industry associations including American Bankers Association General Counsels Group and the Consumer Bankers Association CFPB Committee. Further demonstrating her passion and expertise for her profession, Ms. Steiner is a Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist, and has been a speaker at various forums on regulatory topics such as risk management, compliance, and mergers and acquisitions.

“The risk and compliance functions within banks are expanding across our industry,” said Ms. Steiner. “Joining Banner during this growth period affords me an exciting opportunity to offer meaningful guidance as we continually adapt these functions to keep pace with the bank’s growth.”