Succession planning

First Midwest Bank in Itasca, Ill., announced Friday that it has hired Jo Ann Boylan, formerly of MB Financial Bank in Chicago, as chief information and operations officer.

Bancorp of New Jersey in Fort Lee has hired a former state regulator as its new chief executive.

What makes a true leader is particularly relevant to the banking industry, in which the leading institutions and key individuals are not always defined by asset size.

Apple Bank for Savings in Manhasset, N.Y., said Thursday that Chief Operating Officer Steven Bush is taking over as chairman, president and CEO from Alan Shamoon, who is retiring.

Robertson Banking Co. in Demopolis, Ala., has given its president, Gary Holemon, the additional title of chief executive.

ChoiceOne Financial Services in Sparta, Mich., has given its president, Kelly Potes, the job of chief executive, too.

Charles Gifford is stepping down from Bank of America's board after serving as a director for more than a decade.

Granite Bank in Colebrook, N.H., has named a Minnesota community banker as its new chief executive.

Banks change top executives all the time, but it's rare that one leaves for another venture and simultaneously gets recruited to the board of the bank he or she is leaving.

C&F Financial in West Point, Va., has named Jason Long chief financial officer of the company and its Citizens and Farmers Bank subsidiary.