Portsmouth, NH — Monday, September 9, 2024 — Piscataqua Savings Bank has announced that President & CEO Joan Gile will retire effective March 31, 2025, concluding 38 years of service. “It has been an amazing career, and I will be forever grateful for the privilege of serving with and leading our remarkable team of dedicated and talented professionals,” Gile said.
Continuing a longstanding tradition of promoting from within both the company and the community, Gile announced that Executive Vice President Benjamin S. Wheeler would be her successor. He becomes the 14th president in Piscataqua Savings Bank history.
“Ben Wheeler is a seasoned professional banker who has served in numerous positions at several local banks for nearly two decades,” Gile said. “Prior to becoming our Executive Vice President, he served as our very successful Vice President, Business Development Officer.”
A 1982 graduate of Skidmore College, Gile joined Piscataqua Savings Bank in 1986 as an Operations Supervisor. She ascended to the role of Executive Vice President before succeeding Rick Wallis as President & CEO in 2021.
Under Gile’s stewardship, Piscataqua Savings Bank successfully navigated a period of rising interest rates and turbulence in the real estate market. Piscataqua Savings Bank closed 2023 with a loan portfolio totaling more than $200 million, just the second time the company reached that benchmark. Also, for the fifth consecutive year, Piscataqua Savings Bank’s revenue exceeded $2 million.
Gile also continued the mission of purpose-driven community banking. On March 8, 2023, Piscataqua Savings Bank completed its B Labs recertification process with an impact score of 97.4. That’s an increase of nearly 20% since 2019, when Piscataqua Savings Bank became just the second bank in New Hampshire to achieve B Corporation status.
Wheeler, a sixth-generation Seacoast resident who lives in Rye, is deeply rooted in our Seacoast community and has extensive involvement through senior leadership positions with numerous non-profit charitable organizations, including: Portsmouth Rotary Club; Greater Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce; The Chase Home; Little Harbor Chapel and The Clipper Foundation. He also serves as a governor appointee on the New Hampshire Commercial Fisherman’s Revolving Loan Fund.
Wheeler is also a lifelong Piscataqua Savings Bank customer. “Ben can trace his family’s relationship with Piscataqua Savings Bank back to December 14, 1886, when his great grandfather, Chester J. Wheeler, made his first deposit,” Gile noted.
“Since our first depositor, Charolette Haven, walked through our doors in 1877, Piscataqua Savings Bank has played a vital role in helping shape what the Seacoast area has become. It is an honor and responsibility to carry forward the tradition of being an independent community bank with a customer centric focus.”
Gile and Wheeler will work closely to complete a smooth transition that assures continuity of leadership. Upon her retirement, Gile will continue to serve the Bank as a Trustee.
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