Boston banker named to head Laconia Savings Bank

A Boston mutual bank executive has been selected to be the new president and CEO of the 175-plus-year-old Laconia Savings Bank. Mark Primeau will join the local institution March 1, said Board of Directors Chairman Rod Dyer in making the announcement yesterday.

“The board has worked diligently to select a candidate that has demonstrated the highest ethical standards, strong leadership, and offers extensive knowledge of and experience in the banking industry,” said Dyer. “Mark Primeau has excelled in each of these areas and the board has full confidence in his ability to lead Laconia Savings Bank into the future as a mutual bank serving its customers and communities.”

Primeau replaces Linda Normandin at the top of the bank's organization chart. Normandin resigned in September of last year and former president and CEO Bruce Clow came out or retirement to lead the bank during the interim period.

Primeau comes to Laconia Savings Bank with a 30-year career within the banking industry. He has spent the last 19 years serving in an executive capacity with Eastern Bank, a mutual bank headquartered in Boston.

Primeau served as president of Consumer and Small Business Banking at Eastern Bank and as chairman of Eastern Insurance Group, LLC. He also has extensive experience in retail banking, commercial and consumer lending, insurance services, marketing, finance and audit, bank operations and human resources.

"Mr. Primeau has demonstrated a commitment to and an understanding of the unique values of a mutually owned community bank," advised Dyer.

The new president has a BA degree from the University of Rhode Island and an MA degree from Boston College. He has also completed several executive programs at Harvard Business School, Columbia University and Northwestern University.

Laconia Savings Bank has 17 banking offices located throughout the state and enjoys and strong reputation for to supporting, both financially and through volunteerism, the local communities in the markets it serves.