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6 HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM | JANUARY 26, 2026 What's Trending field, Darien, Greenwich, Norwalk and Westport. The bank's board said it conducted a search that included both internal and external candidates. Before Berkshire, Mhatre served as executive vice president of community banking at Stamford-based Webster Bank, where he led the regional lender's consumer and business banking opera- tions and served on its executive team. He holds an engineering degree and an MBA from Bombay University and completed Harvard Business School's General Management Program. Meanwhile, Essex Bank announced that Executive Vice President and By Greg Bordonaro gbordonaro@hartfordbusiness.com T wo Connecticut community banks have announced upcoming leadership changes, with Stam- ford-based First County Bank naming a new chief executive officer and Essex Bank elevating a longtime executive to lead the mutual lender later this year. First County Bank has named veteran banker Nitin J. Mhatre as its next CEO, with a start date of April 15. Mhatre most recently led Massachusetts-based Berkshire Bank, where he served as president and CEO beginning in 2021. His tenure included Berkshire Hills Bancorp's merger with Brookline Bancorp — a deal that closed Sept. 1, 2025, and created Beacon Financial Corp. Mhatre left Berkshire in 2025 as part of the leadership transi- tion tied to the merger's closing. At First County Bank, Mhatre will succeed Robert J. Granata, who plans to retire as CEO at the end of July. Granata will remain chairman through July 31, and continue serving on the bank's board of directors. First County Bank has $2.2 billion in assets and 13 branches in Fairfield County, including in Stamford, Fair- ACCOUNTING | TAX | ADVISORY Citrin Cooperman is one of the nation's largest professional services firms, helping middle-market companies and high- net-worth individuals with innovative guidance. Whether your operations and assets are located around the corner or across the globe, we provide new perspectives and comprehensive solutions that will help you achieve your short- and long-term goals. Learn More Woodbridge Office: 1 Bradley Rd, Building 600, Woodbridge, CT 06525 (203) 387-0852 Providing Professional Services & Industry Insights for Over 45 Years CITRINCOOPERMAN.COM CT banks announce new CEOs as leadership transitions accelerate Chief Operating Officer Lynn Giroux will become the community lender's next president and CEO in August, succeeding Diane Arnold, who plans to retire. Arnold has served as president and CEO for five years. During her tenure, Essex Bank said it achieved growth in deposits and loans, improved technology and completed a rebranding effort ahead of its 175th anniversary. Essex Bank has $505.7 million in assets and six branches in Essex, Chester, Madison, Old Lyme and Old Saybrook, along with a wealth management division. Giroux has worked at Essex Bank since 1999 and oversees operations including deposit and loan admin- istration, information technology, compliance, marketing and facilities, the bank said. She previously served as vice president of human resources and branch administration. Giroux began her banking career in 1983 and holds a bachelor's degree in English from the University of Vermont. She is also a graduate of the New England School of Banking, according to the bank. Lynn Giroux Nitin J. Mhatre FIRST COUNTY BANK ASSETS AND DEPOSITS 2021 2021 2022 2022 2024 2024 2023 2023 2025 2025 ESSEX BANK ASSETS AND DEPOSITS ASSETS DEPOSITS Note: Each year is as of Sept. 30. Source: Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. $0 $0 $100M $200M $300M $400M $500M $600M $500M $1B $1.5B $2B $2.5B