In Brief: Pa. Banker Resigning for 'Change of Pace'

After 32 years in banking, William J. McLaughlin said he's leaving the profession because he needs a "change of pace."

Mr. McLaughlin, 60, will resign Nov. 1 as president and chief executive officer of $2.1 billion-asset Harris Financial Inc. He has worked at Harris for 18 years.

Mr. McLaughlin said he plans to remain an adviser to Harris Savings Bank and will continue to live in central Pennsylvania. He also plans to spend time at a new house in Florida.

Harris' board of directors appointed James Durrell, executive vice president and chief financial officer at Harris Financial, to be acting president and chief executive officer.

Mr. Durrell, 61, joined Harris as chief financial officer in 1988. He helped lead the thrift through its initial public offering in 1994 and the recent creation of a mid-tier holding company. "Mr. McLaughlin has taken the bank through several important steps, and right now he is ready to kick back," Mr. Durrell said. "He is not going to be a couch potato, but he wants to pull away from banking for a while."

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