Career moves

Salvatore Marranca and Garrett Richter have a lot in common: both found success in the banking world after army service in Vietnam. It was that wartime experience, though, that set them apart from most of their peers.

Western Federal Credit Union, a $2.2-billion institution based in Hawthorne, Calif., announced it has appointed Gordon M. Howe as its CEO, succeeding John Bommarito, who is stepping down after almost 22 years.

Banc of California in Irvine has named executives to the newly created positions of chief strategy officer and chief investment officer.

One CEO is forwarding his career by becoming a vice president and other CU officials in the news.

Silicon Valley Bank in Santa Clara, Calif., has hired a chief operations officer to replace Bruce Wallace, as he shifts to a more digital-focused role.

BMO Financial Group has recruited Niti Badarinath from U.S. Bancorp to manage its online, mobile and physical channels in North America.

The association also recognized two executives for excellence in leadership.

Boston Private Financial Holdings' president, Mark Thompson, has announced plans to retire at the end of the year.

Banc of California in Irvine has named James McKinney its new chief financial officer. McKinney joined the $6.4 billion-asset bank in September as chief accounting officer.

Meta Financial Group in Sioux Falls, S.D., has promoted Cindy Smith to the newly created position of head of technology and operations.

M&T Bank has expanded its leadership in the metro New York region after completing its acquisition of Hudson City Bancorp.

Evans Bancorp in Hamburg, N.Y., said that its chief financial officer has left to pursue other interests.

A quick look at who's climbing the credit union ladder.

Zions Bancorp. in Salt Lake City has promoted two executives to leadership roles in the bank's technology division.

EnerBank USA in Salt Lake City has chosen Charlie Knadler to succeed Louise Kelly as president and chief executive after her retirement next month.

United Community Banks in Blairsville, Ga., has added a former BB&T executive to its board.

Just as the California and Nevada Credit Union Leagues' annual meeting was kicking off on the West Coast, the New York Credit Union Association announced it is calling on the CUNA Board to reconsider a task force's recommendation that the dual CUNA/League membership requirement be eliminated, making it one of the hottest topics on tap at CCUL/NCUL meeting in Palm Desert, Calif.

Heart O' Texas Federal Credit Union, a $55-million institution based in Waco, Tex., named Melissa Hagenbuch as its new president and CEO, effective Dec. 7.

The chief executive of First Capital Bancorp in Glen Allen, Va., plans to resign, about a month after the company agreed to sell itself.

First Banks in Clayton, Mo., has announced that Chairman James Dierberg's son will succeed him, marking the fourth generation of the Dierberg family to lead the company.